2016 was an adventure in dining. What I love about my job (besides eating delicious food), is that I have the opportunity to meet so many talented chefs and restaurant owners, and that I get to share their amazing stories with you. It’s unfortunate that there are still people who believe you can only get really good food in New York City. I beg to differ. The dedication, quality, and service I have seen in so many restaurants on Long Island since I started writing Kerriann Eats is truly outstanding. I love supporting our local restaurants, farmers, vineyards, bakers – the list goes on and on. So I’d like to take this time to say “thank you” to the chefs and owners who have shared their love of cooking with me. It has truly been a pleasure.
Here are my favorite picks for 2016.
Best Cocktails
Jema, Huntington – Joy de Vivre
Rincon Criollo, Huntington Station – Rincon Express
California Pizza Kitchen, Huntington Station – California Roots
Del Frisco’s Grill – The VIP
Best Salads
Palm Court at the Carltun, East Meadow – Layered beet and goat cheese salad
Polo Steakhouse at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City – Burrata with heirloom tomatoes
Best Appetizers
Verde, Deer Park – Roasted clam appetizer with Sarvecchio and pork belly
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Garden City – Seared Sea scallop with creamy truffle turnip puree in brown butter sauce
Best Tapas
LeVin, Lake Grove – Beef bone marrow with horseradish gremolata
LeVin, Lake Grove – Charcuterie board with Imberico ham
Jema, Huntington – Quail egg with white truffle sabayon and burgundy truffle
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Garden City – Bruschetta with fresh strawberries, mascarpone, basil and honey
Best Foie Gras
Verde, Deer Park – Foie gras with chestnut conserva, vermouth and carrot currant granola
Best Chicken
Osteria Leana, Oyster Bay – Organic freebird roasted chicken
Best Fish
Seared Tuna, Polo Steakhouse at the Garden City Hotel
Palm Court at the Carltun, East Meadow – Black sea bass with scallops and chorizo
The Cove, Glen Cove – Whole cooked Branzino
Polo Steakhouse at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City — Seared tuna with miso glaze, shiitake mushrooms, sesame oil, soy sauce, scallion and toasted sesame seeds
Jema, Huntington – Shinnecock Bay scallops with celery root, risotto and burgundy truffle
Taverna 38, Williston Park – Grilled Spanish octopus with grilled shrimp and arugula
Best Soup
Osteria Leana, Oyster Bay – Cucumber gazpacho with spicy tomato jam and mascarpone toast
Coast Kitchen at the Montauk Yacht Club, Montauk – Lobster Bisque
Best Crepe
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My Creperie, Wading River – Nutella, peanut butter and banana crepe
Best Burgers
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Dirty Burger, Plainview – Lamb burger with “dirty spice” and tzatziki
S.T.A.G.S Tap House, Huntington – Korean barbeque burger with pulled pork and fried egg
Best Wines
Palm Court at the Carltun, East Meadow – 2010 Poggio Morino Vermentino from Maremma
Osteria Leana, Oyster Bay – 2015 Fiorino, Lambrusco Grasparossa Becca Rosa, Italy
Verde, Deer Park – White Merlot from Lieb Cellars, Second Label Bridge Lane Wines, Long Island
Spuntino – Elouan Pinot Noir, Oregon
Best Paella
Rincon Criollo, Huntington Station – Paella from old family recipe
Best Pasta
Osteria Leana, Oyster Bay – Summer chitarra with lobster
Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Westbury – House made ricotta gnocchi with braised wild boar
7T8 European Fusion, Northport – Shrimp Fra Diavolo
Best Lobster
Casa Rustica, Smithtown – 2 1b lobster prepared and flambéed with brandy, tableside
Best Desserts
Banana Foster Creme Brulee, S.T.A.G.S Tap House, Huntington
Palm Court at The Carltun, East Meadow – Truffle chocolate soufflé
S.T.A.G.S Tap House, Huntington – Banana Foster crème brulee
7T8 European Fusion, Northport – Miniature cinnamon donuts with vanilla mascarpone cream and salted caramel
