Commack Restaurants - Reviews

Venezia

Lillian Taylor — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:49:09 GMT

Lately I've been discovering that you don't have to leave Smithtown for great-tasting traditional Italian food. My most recent example is Venezia, a local restaurant that serves up an excellent array of northern and southern Italian dishes in an unpretentious environment.

If you haven't tried this place yet, odds are you're like me and have been driving past its Middle Country Road location for years. After a pleasant dinner on a recent Friday evening, I'm left wondering why I waited so long.

With dark woodwork and beige-colored walls accented by Jennifer Garant paintings, the restaurant's décor is at once inviting and relaxing. We were seated in one of the booths that line the perimeter of the main dining room, which are situated so that we barely noticed the restaurant's other patrons.

As we reviewed the menu offerings, our attentive waitress stopped by to introduce herself and to recite the specials of the day. The menu mainly consists of a wide variety of pasta, chicken, and veal dishes. For dieters, there is a section that includes salads and light entrées. In addition, a section called "Little Venezia" listed a selection of pizzas, heroes, and baked pasta dishes.

After ordering, we sipped our drinks and sampled the Italian and Foccacia breads while waiting for our appetizer to arrive. We chose the mussels marinara and were soon treated to a heaping bowl of Prince Edward Island mussels in a savory red sauce that was quite tasty even on its own. Next, I munched on the crisp garden salad with balsamic vinaigrette that was included in the price of the main course special I had selected.

My husband opted for the Chicken Valdostano as his entrée, which was sautéed boneless chicken breast layered with prosciutto and provolone cheese in a brandy demiglace, served with roasted red potatoes and steamed broccoli. I enjoyed the Chicken Carusso special, which was sautéed boneless chicken breast smothered in fresh mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms and Marsala sauce. Both dishes were superbly prepared with ingredients that were obviously fresh.

For dessert, we indulged in the raspberry bomb and the warm chocolate lava cake. The former was refreshing raspberry sorbet in a dark chocolate shell drizzled in a maraschino cherry sauce. The moist and rich chocolate cake was smothered in hot fudge and whipped cream. To complete his feast, my husband savored an Irish coffee with a splash of Frangelico.

If you've been overlooking Venezia as I mistakenly had, you're really missing out. You can enjoy a "soup-to-nuts" dinner for $25-40 per person, and you'll leave wondering what took you so long to try it.

Salsa Salsa

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 16:49:09 GMT

For a refreshing take on Mexican food in a cool and fun environment, look no further than Salsa Salsa in Smithtown. The funky décor and flavorful dishes are reason enough to check out this hot spot, but throw in excellent variety and reasonable prices and it becomes a not-to-be-missed destination.

Done up in bold colors of lime green and brilliant purple, the design of this casual restaurant is as spicy as its cuisine. Brightly colored booths line either side of the dining room, while chrome café tables dot its center. Vibrant tin geckos accent the walls, as do chalk-written messages reminding diners to ask their server about the daily specials.

We were greeted immediately upon arriving at 7 o'clock on a Wednesday evening and were given paper menus as we were seated at our table. Salsa Salsa's diverse selection includes Mexican foods of all types, as well as atypical offerings such as burgers and corn crusted calamari.

I decided to sample the restaurant's take on the customarily Italian dish and ordered the calamari as one of our appetizers. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the crisply battered squid was tender and accompanied by a delightful hot cherry pepper dipping sauce. Our other appetizer choices included a spicy cup of chili con carne, and fresh house-made guacamole to go along with the chips our waitress had delivered. Those, along with the kitchen's own salsa, were fiery and delicious.

For our entrees, we decided on steak quesadillas and a grilled shrimp "hefty" fajita. The savory quesadillas consisted of juicy strips of steak, blended cheese, sour cream, and scallions. Grilled shrimp, peppers and onions, chopped cabbage, jack and cheddar cheese, and salsa Fresca were enveloped in the 12 inch flour tortilla of the hefty fajita. To quote my husband, this was the "freshest fajita" he'd ever tasted, and I can personally attest to the perfectly prepared shrimp.

Another signature touch is that from Sunday through Thursday, Salsa Salsa offers its of-age guests a complementary glass of sangria with each meal. Complete feasts range between $15-25 per person, and you simply can't beat this place for its low prices, fresh ingredients, wide variety, and fun atmosphere.

Kurofune

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT

Though it's been around for about a quarter of a century, Kurofune remains one of the best Japanese restaurants in Suffolk County. This family-owned and operated restaurant is known for its excellent sushi as well as hot entrees, so much so that even those of Japanese decent frequent this Commack favorite.

A recent Friday evening visit found this well-oiled machine living up to its reputation. Although it is an attractive building, the restaurant's décor takes a backseat to its fine cuisine. Mauve-colored walls with Asian-inspired paintings and minimalist floral arrangements provide a pleasant atmosphere. The stepped tray ceilings add some grandeur to the otherwise modest design of the two main dining rooms. You may also choose to sit at the sushi bar at the entrance of the restaurant. Waitresses dressed in traditional Japanese kimonos add to the authentic feel.

Our waitress was very helpful in suggesting rolls containing cooked fish since I am pregnant and therefore unable to eat the raw options. With her assistance, we decided on appetizers of white noodle Miso soup, a garden salad with sesame ginger dressing, a spider roll, and a volcano roll. The soup was flavorful and its noodles were thick and textured for a satisfying start to the meal. The dressing on the salad is worth noting; its black sesame seeds offered a nice complement to the ginger dressing. The spider roll was quite good and consisted of fried crab with avocado wrapped in seaweed and rice. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his volcano roll, which was actually a California roll topped off with crunchy-spicy tuna.

As our main courses, we opted for the chicken teriyaki and shrimp tempura. The former was the favorite of the two; the chicken was cooked to juicy perfection and was accompanied by steamed vegetables and roasted potatoes with teriyaki sauce. The shrimp tempura was delicious and came with carrots, green beans, and zucchini. Although this dish was well prepared, I personally would have preferred the vegetables to be steamed instead of deep fried.

Because of the excellent selection of both cooked and raw fare, Kurofune is a great place for families and couples wherein some members enjoy sushi and others do not. Prices are reasonable; you can experience a complete dinner for approximately $30-45 per person. Kurofune is a definite must for anyone looking for an enjoyable Japanese feast.

Butera's

Lillian Taylor — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

After having been to Butera's restaurant in Woodbury several times, I was looking forward to having dinner at their recently-opened location in Smithtown. I'd also dined at Smithtown House numerous times, which is Butera's predecessor at 65 East Main Street. So it was interesting to discover the updates that have been made to the restaurant's décor.

The interior space seemed larger, thanks to the new opening between the two main dining rooms. The restaurant's grand, dark wood bar, ceramic tile floor, pickled wood moldings, parchment color-washed walls, and attractive stone work make for a rustic, classic-contemporary atmosphere.

If you plan on visiting Butera's for dinner on a weekend, be prepared to wait an hour or more for parties of two to five, as it can get quite crowded in the evening and the restaurant only accepts reservations for parties of six or more. We were advised there was an hour and 30-minute wait for our party of two, but that there was some seating available in the bar area.

Since it was 7:30 and we were rather hungry, we decided to brave the boisterous crowd and accept the bar table, which was right next to the front window overlooking Main Street. Although it was somewhat noisy, we were grateful to have been seated so quickly. Midway through our meal the crowd at the bar thinned out a bit and the noise level subsided.

Service was a bit slow due to our waitress having to negotiate her way through the crowded bar area to get to and from our table, but she was friendly and accommodating enough. The dinner menu includes a large selection of "new Italian" fare including appetizers; salads; pasta and salad entrees; traditional Italian-American classics; chicken, veal, and fish dishes; as well as low-carb and lighter options.

We chose the exotic mushroom sauté for our appetizer and were treated to Portobello, shiitake and whitecap mushrooms in a delicious wine sauce, tossed with diced fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil over bruschetta points. This was the highlight of our meal and we'll definitely order it again in the future. For entrees, I ordered the rigatoni chicken and spinach and my husband selected the baked ravioli classico. The former consisted of juicy sautéed diced chicken and fresh spinach in an exquisite tomato cream sauce. The jumbo cheese ravioli were smothered in meat sauce and melted mozzarella. We also enjoyed a side order of Butera's signature chicken meatballs. Our apple crustado dessert was warm and flaky and was topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Butera's offers lunch and dinner seven days a week. Lunch pricing falls between $12-$22 per person and dinner from $25-$45 per person.

The Grill Room

Lillian Taylor — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

The Grill Room brings chic Manhattan style to the most unexpected of places. A visit to the main food court in the Hauppauge Industrial Park just might surprise you if you were expecting the usual spread of fast food joints and coffee shops.

Situated on the far left side of the L-shaped shopping center, the front of The Grill Room is enclosed by privacy walls, tall greenery, and flowering plants that create an outdoor dining area that screens out the noise and traffic of the surrounding area. Inside, an elaborate crystal chandelier at the front of the dining room offsets the trendy lighting fixtures throughout the restaurant. Muted tones, contemporary décor, and scores of votive candles collaborate to create an atmosphere that is simultaneously fashionable and upscale yet warm and inviting.

New owners Mark Jeffrey Taub and Larry Brown took ownership of The Grill Room this past summer, and since then have made subtle changes to the restaurant's décor and menu offerings in order to infuse more of the city style and modern edge that The Grill Room has become known for. Despite the change in ownership, the staff remains eager to please and Executive Chef Hal Goldman and Chef de Cuisine Jim Southard continue to serve up a formidable array of mouth watering delights.

Hits from the Beatles were playing at a low volume when we arrived for dinner at 5:30 on a Tuesday evening. The music added to the laid back environment as we worked our way through appetizers. The seared sea scallops were succulent, and were accompanied by baby arugula, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese tossed in a lemon-pepper vinaigrette. The delicious Asian shrimp salad consisted of shrimp tempura served over mesclun and mango salsa in a soy ginger vinaigrette.

As we moved on to our entrees, the mood of the restaurant switched gears when the music changed to a club mix and the volume rose. We easily adjusted to the change as we savored the exquisitely prepared rosemary Dijon crusted lamb chops with roasted potatoes and broccoli rabe drizzled in balsamic; and roasted Chilean sea bass with potato gnocchi and spinach. For dessert, we feasted on warm molten chocolate cake that was heavenly.

Those in the 21-35 age group will especially appreciate The Grill Room's cutting edge Manhattan feel, but the restaurant's delectable cuisine will be appreciated by folks of all ages. If you have a hankering to eat out on a weeknight, visit on a Tuesday evening when management offers every bottle of wine on their menu for half price. They also offer a prix fix dinner menu Monday through Saturday from 5-6:30 p.m. You'll enjoy an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for just $24.95 per person. If you prefer to stick with the complete menu, a three-course dinner ranges from $26-$51 per person. You can also stop in for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whenever you decide to visit, The Grill Room won't disappoint.

T.G.I Friday's

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Sure, most of us have been to a Friday's at least once, but have you been there lately? If not, the new menu choices and excellent values you'll find are worth a trip to Friday's in Hauppauge.

You're probably familiar with the scene at Friday's...lively atmosphere, fun music, funky, youthful décor, and the feeling that no matter what day it is out there, it's "always Friday in here." We stopped in for dinner on a Wednesday night at 8:30, and despite the fact that it was only "hump day," the place actually did make us forget about our exhaustion and the fact that there were two more days until the weekend. With only a couple of empty tables and a vivacious crowd of diners, the restaurant had a festive spirit even while season premiers were broadcasting on televisions at home.

Friday's menu has always been extensive, but there are several new features to be pointed out. Novel appetizers such as crispy fried green beans and Parmesan-crusted Sicilian quesadillas have been added, as well as a selection of Friday's sliders - mini hamburgers with a variety of toppings.

As for entrees, the Jack Daniels Grill menu has been expanded to include eight mouth watering dinners marinated in Jack Daniels original or spicy sauces. They've also added a unique "Right Portion, Right Price" menu that offers a choice of 10 smaller portions at lower prices, a refreshing change in an industry that seems to have a more is better attitude. If you're yearning for the Friday's you knew and loved, no need to worry; steaks, ribs, seafood, burgers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and low fat/low carb selections still round out the lunch and dinner options.

We decided to take advantage of another of Friday's new features: the 3-Course Menu for just $12.99, or $16.99 for "real indulgences." This menu includes several choices from Friday's complete menu, and certainly has something for everyone.

For appetizers, we chose the fried green beans and loaded potato skins, which were indicated as a "half order" on the menu, but in actuality the portion size was more than enough for the one person it was intended for. The crispy fried green beans were breaded and deep fried to a golden brown crust, and came with cucumber wasabi ranch dip, which was delicious, although the little cup they provided wasn't nearly enough for the large serving of green beans.

We decided on the fire-grilled sirloin (from the $16.99 menu) and the cheeseburger (a $12.99 option) for our main courses. Although the cheeseburger was from the $12.99 menu, my husband requested to upgrade it to a Jack Daniels burger by adding bacon and smoky Provolone cheese. A young and laid-back waitress delivered our meals hot and in a timely manner, and we enjoyed everything on our plates. My 10-oz. steak was cooked medium-rare as requested and was as tender as the waitress had described it to be. It was accompanied by Parmesan-crusted red potato wedges and mixed vegetables. The burger came with French fries. We both opted for the Oreo chocolate cake for dessert, which was as wickedly good as it sounds.

I'm happy to report that all of these new features at Friday's make for a pleasant and wallet-friendly dining experience. Our complete dinner for two totaled just $40 before gratuity. T.G.I. Friday's has distinguished itself from the crowd of restaurant chains, and for that it has earned 4 Dishes.

Akropolis

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

If you're looking for a little taste of Greece right here on Long Island, visit Akropolis Restaurant in Nesconset. Upon entering, you'd never know this cozy eatery is located in a suburban strip mall. With its red and white checkered tablecloths, rustic wood moldings, and shuttered paintings of the Mediterranean coastline, this place is so authentic you'll feel like you're actually dining in Greece.

The restaurant's two dining rooms are large enough to accommodate a busy Friday evening dinner crowd and still manage to maintain a relaxed environment. Akropolis also handles a substantial amount of takeout orders, but that in no way interferes with your in-house dining experience. The staff remained professional and courteous throughout our meal.

The menu is made up of all manner of hot and cold Greek appetizers, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, "lite bites," omelettes, and side orders, as well as complete dinner entrees ranging from gyro, souvlaki, and falafel to a wide array of fresh seafood. American favorites like pizza and burgers are also included for good measure.

We ordered the spanakopita and fried zucchini appetizers, along with a nice hot cup of Manhattan clam chowder. The rich and tasty spanakopita was a large serving of spinach pie with a filling of baked spinach, feta cheese, green onions, egg, and dill seasoning. The filling was wrapped in layers of phyllo pastry with butter and olive oil. The fried zucchini were hot and crispy and served with garlic dip.

For our main courses, we chose the chicken souvlaki "sandwich" and Loucaniko dinner special. The souvlaki's delicious marinated chicken, chunks of tomato, and shredded lettuce were wrapped in a pita and served with yogurt sauce. The Loucaniko included flavorful Greek sausage sliced and grilled with onions, peppers, green beans, and tomatoes served over rice. For dessert, we enjoyed two cups of rice pudding to go.

Until now, my Greek dining experiences mainly consisted of either takeout or rushed meals at sparsely decorated restaurants. Akropolis offers a complete dining experience in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Dinner prices range from $15-30 pp and lunches from $10-15 pp.

Butterfields

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Situated on the outskirts of the Hauppauge Industrial Park, Butterfields is an unexpected treasure amidst an area populated by warehouses, light manufacturing and office buildings, and fast food joints. Lavishly decorated in rich gold, green, and burgundy tones and accented by mahogany woodwork and framed Jack Vettriano artwork, this dimly lit restaurant adds a touch of Manhattan to Suffolk County.

The maitre'd, wait, and bus staff were outgoing and eager to accommodate on a recent Friday evening visit. Co-owner and Executive Chef Jerry Suppa has years of experience and a passion for experimenting with New American fare, resulting in an eclectic menu that is constantly changing.

The marinated grilled Portobello mushroom appetizer was a true crowd pleaser. The two large mushrooms were accompanied by oven dried tomatoes served over crisp pancetta baby greens and topped with gorgonzola cheese drizzled with truffle balsamic. The Butterfields chipotle style boneless chicken wings seemed slightly ordinary and pub-like in contrast to the otherwise gourmet menu.

The penne and wood grilled chicken gorgonzola entrée is not to be missed. The al dente pasta and cubes of grilled chicken were tossed with asparagus, flat leaf spinach, baby tomatoes, basil toasted bread crumbs, and roasted garlic balsamic vinegar served in a gorgonzola cream sauce. The 14-oz. sterling silver sirloin was another standout, escorted by caramelized onions, wild mushrooms, roasted garlic whipped potatoes, and bass ale onion rings. For dessert, the double decker chipwich was a delectable treat layered with vanilla malt gelato and oversized chocolate chip cookies sprinkled with caramel, cream, and confection sugar.

Butterfields offers a variety of specials each week. From its lively Sunday afternoon football and pasta events to its daily lunch specials and weekend musical entertainment, there's always a good reason to visit. The restaurant's surprisingly modest pricing means you can experience complete dinners ranging from $30-45 pp and lunches for between $12-20 pp.

The Garden Grill

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

With its warm atmosphere and exceptional service, it's easy to understand why The Garden Grill is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Housed in a 120-year-old Victorian country inn, the family-owned restaurant is romantically decorated with ornate moldings, floral accents, and antique furnishings that make you feel as though you've stepped back in time.

While the décor is reminiscent of a more gilded era, the young, attentive staff and gourmet fare quickly bring you back to the present. The extensive menu at The Garden Grill features a wide variety of steaks, seafood, and pasta. The sunflower-seeded bread and sun dried tomato butter were a pleasant surprise, as was the fresh garden salad that accompanies each entrée on the menu.

To start, we ordered coconut shrimp and Prince Edward Island mussels as appetizers. The crispy fried, coconut crusted jumbo shrimp were outstanding; they arrived tossed with baby greens and pecans and drizzled in a mandarin orange ginger dressing. The mussels were sautéed in a light lemon butter white wine sauce and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. The delicious sauce was savored long after the mussels were eaten, as we dipped bread in it throughout our meal.

The considerable menu made it difficult to decide on an entrée, but we finally chose the filet mignon au poivre and the broiled seafood platter. The tender and juicy filet mignon was lightly peppered and marinated in a peppercorn sauce, and was accompanied by sautéed broccoli rabe and garlic mashed potatoes. The plentiful seafood platter consisted of jumbo shrimp, sea scallops, stuffed flounder, lobster tail and overstuffed baked clams in a light white wine butter sauce, served with saffron infused rice. I regret that I'm unable to report on the restaurant's desserts as we were too full to dare eat another bite, but I can say that the dessert menu looked very appetizing.

The Garden Grill also specializes in catered events both on and off premises. I can personally attest to their on-premises party hosting, as I have had the pleasure of attending 60th birthday, christening, and communion parties there. The Sunday brunch buffet is exceptional; I don't believe I've enjoyed a buffet at another restaurant or catered event quite as much as I did the brunch buffet at Garden Grill.

Whether you're planning a romantic dinner for two, a festive meal with friends, or a catered family event, I recommend you check out The Garden Grill. You can enjoy a complete lunch for between $20-30pp and dinner for between $40-60pp. Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings.

Mario's Pizzeria

Lillian Taylor — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Mario's recently stood up to the true test for neighborhood pizzerias: a visit during the Friday evening rush. Despite the hustle and bustle of a crowded restaurant and a staff busy fulfilling pick-up and delivery orders, the food was served piping hot and delicious.

The atmosphere at this family owned and operated pizza restaurant is casual, with its stylish mahogany tables and chairs, muted colors, and 5-foot wall with stained-glass panels separating the front dining area from the to-go pizza counter. By day the restaurant caters to a lunchtime crowd from the nearby Hauppauge Industrial Park and surrounding offices and in the evening, families living in Commack and neighboring towns flock there to enjoy savory Italian dishes.

After seating ourselves at a table by the window, we received menus listing a complete array of appetizers, salads, pizzas, pasta specialties, entrees, sandwiches, and side orders. We opted for the mozzarella sticks and garlic knots for our appetizers, and were treated to oozing cheese breaded and fried to a light crisp, along with doughy knots drenched in garlic and oil and served warm.

For our main courses, we chose the penne alla Norma and chicken Parmesan. The former was served with diced eggplant with basil, garlic, and mozzarella tossed in a light plum tomato sauce. The chicken Parmesan was thick and juicy and smothered in mozzarella and marinara sauce, served over linguini. Both dishes were superbly prepared. I recommend any dish that includes the plum tomato sauce; it was the highlight of my meal.

There is literally something for everyone at Mario's. With so many menu choices, it won't be easy to decide what to order, but the odds are good that you'll be pleased with your choice.

For those that prefer to dine in the comfort of their own homes or offices, Mario's offers convenient takeout and delivery services. The pizzeria also welcomes corporate accounts and does catering for all occasions. Open seven days a week, Mario's serves lunch and dinner with complete meals ranging from $10-25 pp. This is one take-out menu that shouldn't be left out of your collection!

H2O

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

H2O is a shining gem among the vast expanse of restaurants on Long Island. Noted restaurant designer Morris Nathanson smartly decorated the space in a classic contemporary style, creating a light and airy atmosphere with nautical accents. The separate bar/lounge area is home to a lively nighttime scene that lures attractive singles from all over Long Island.

The staff is young and good looking, with a friendly demeanor that keeps the restaurant from having that self-important attitude that so many five-star restaurants seem to assume. This past Sunday, we were warmly greeted by the hostess upon arrival and ushered to our table for an early dinner. Our waiter stopped by shortly after we were seated to introduce himself and drop off a basket of deliciously warm and salty bread.

The menu features an impressive array of soups, salads, hot and cold small plates, seafood, raw bar, pasta, meat, and an extensive sushi menu on the reverse side. The lobster and shrimp bisque was the soup of the day, and it didn't disappoint. A puree of lobster and crabmeat topped off with a few baby shrimp was an excellent way to begin a Sunday afternoon dinner. The Caesar salad was fresh and tasty, crowned with an inviting parmesan crisp. The pan seared scallops were absolute perfection, and were served with smoked Roma tomatoes and micro pea shoots.

For our main courses, we chose the Maryland crab cakes with sautéed green beans drizzled in ginger and spicy mayos, and the hazelnut and parmesan crusted swordfish served over a bed of toasted cous cous, Dijon mustard, lemongrass beurre blanc and a hint of truffle. Both dishes were superbly prepared by Executive Chef Scotty Szekretar. When it comes time for dessert, the white chocolate bread pudding with caramelized bananas, dark chocolate ganache and vanilla ice cream is not to be missed.

H20 has an award-winning wine list and hosts a pairing dinner each Wednesday evening. For just $40, diners can enjoy an impressive 3-course dinner carefully paired with three wines to complement each dish. Another reason to visit soon would be to take advantage of the outstanding Summer Lobster Menu, which offers 2, 4, and 6 lb. lobsters prepared a variety of ways. The sushi bar is also a unique feature and presents daily specials expertly prepared by H2O's own sushi chef.

I highly recommend H20 for a sophisticated dining experience in an uplifting environment. Dinner is served seven days a week and can be enjoyed for between $40-70 per person. As a standout Long Island restaurant that serves up epicurean delights in a fresh and modern atmosphere, H20 earns every one of its 5 dishes.

Cielo

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Cielo

321 Nesconset Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788 • 631-724-1918

Cielo might be one of the Commack area's best kept secrets as far as dining options go. Formerly known as Polini's, Cielo changed ownership in 2006 when the restaurant's executive chef, Mike, took it over when the previous owners retired. The restaurant has been renovated and re-named, but it continues to serve up expertly-prepared traditional Italian fare in a relaxed atmosphere.

Italian for sky, Cielo's décor reflects its namesake with walls and a vaulted ceiling painted a pale blue with fluffy clouds. Mahogany wainscoting, moldings and hard wood floors offer a nice contrast to the sky mural. The atmosphere can best be described as comfortable and unpretentious, letting the cuisine speak for itself.

This past Saturday evening, my husband and I enjoyed an authentic Italian dinner at Cielo. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the friendly manager/hostess and seated immediately. While we opted to sit in one of the restaurant's two main dining rooms, there is also a lovely outdoor dining area for those that prefer an al fresco experience. Shortly after we were seated and began perusing the menu, our waitress stopped by to cordially introduce herself and deliver a basket of sourdough bread and a dish of olive oil with shaved Parmesan cheese for dipping.

The dinner menu offers a nice selection of hot and cold appetizers, salads, soups, steaks and chops, seafood, veal, chicken, and baked dishes. In addition, its "Mix and Match" section presents a choice of 11 different pastas prepared with any of the restaurant's wide array of sauces and toppings. They also offer side dishes of broccoli, spinach, rice pilaf, or meatballs for just $3.99 each.

For our appetizers, we chose two of our favorites: fried calamari and mozzarella Caprese. The calamari was lightly battered and fried to a perfect crisp, with just the right tenderness, and served with marinara sauce. The mozzarella Caprese looked almost too good to eat; the ripe tomatoes and fresh mozzarella tasted wonderful drizzled in balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with basil.

I opted for the jumbo shrimp with capellini fra diavolo as my main course, and my husband selected the baked eggplant parmigiana with a side order of meatballs. The shrimp was fresh and not at all overdone, and the fra diavolo sauce was spicy and contained chunks of juicy tomato and hot cherry peppers. Not being a fan of prosciutto, upon ordering the dish I requested that the chef remove it from the sauce, and he obliged. The eggplant parmigiana was the perfect consistency and came smothered in a savory red sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. We shared the chocolate lava for dessert and were treated to warm chocolate cake with melted fudge oozing out, accompanied by vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

Wine lovers will be pleased to discover that Cielo has an extensive tasting menu that can be paired with each meal. For just $12, diners can sample up to 12 red and white wines, each generously poured and served in order of your preference.

Cielo is an ideal spot for moderately-priced, classic Italian food served in an unobtrusive setting. You can enjoy a complete dinner for between $30-50 pp, and lunches from $15-25 pp. Making good on its promise of an outstanding dining experience, Cielo earned 4 1/2 dishes.

Cielo

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Cielo might be one of the Smithtown area's best kept secrets as far as dining options go. Formerly known as Polini's, Cielo changed ownership in 2006 when the restaurant's executive chef, Mike, took it over when the previous owners retired. The restaurant has been renovated and re-named, but it continues to serve up expertly-prepared traditional Italian fare in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sizzler

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Where do you go to eat when you want to stick to a budget but don't want to sacrifice on taste? I suggest Sizzler on Main Street in Smithtown. My husband and I were there on a recent weekday for an early dinner and we were very satisfied with our experience.

The atmosphere is casual and pleasant, with upbeat hits from the 80's and 90's playing at just the right volume. Sizzler does things a bit differently in that instead of being greeted by a hostess and immediately seated upon walking in, you read the menu board prominently displayed on the wall and then place your order with the cashier. Next you choose your own table and place your receipt on it so that your waitress will know what you ordered.

Since every meal comes with an unlimited salad bar, you grab a plate and start to feast. Sizzler maintains an excellent salad bar, which in actuality includes much more than just salad.

You will find the standard ingredients for a salad, which are all very fresh. Three different types of lettuce (iceberg, spinach, and Mesclun) are featured, but you'll also find excellent salads of the other variety: pasta, potato, macaroni, and cold slaw. In addition, there's hot and delicious fried chicken, onion rings, corn poppers (my personal favorite), potato wedges, a taco station, soups, and a pasta station. While most of the salad bar foods and condiments were adequately labeled, a few were not, making it a bit difficult to distinguish between things like sour cream and whipped cream. However, it wasn't hard finding a friendly waitress to help me with this.

Our main courses were delivered to our table by an attentive waitress just as we finished the last bites of our salad bar course. We opted for the Mega Bacon Cheeseburger with French fries and Malibu Chicken Sandwich with a baked potato. I should note that the Malibu Chicken Sandwich is not really an item on the menu; the breaded chicken is usually served off the bun with melted ham and cheese, but the cashier took my modified order without batting an eyelash.

My husband's Mega Bacon Cheeseburger was grilled to a perfect medium rare as requested, and was topped off with a gooey slice of melted American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and Sizzler's "special sauce," all served on a potato bun. While the bacon could've been a bit crisper, the French Fries were hot and flavorful, with just the right amount of crunch. My Malibu Chicken Sandwich was also very tasty and came with a foil-wrapped baked potato with butter.

Desserts are featured as part of the salad bar, and include ripe fruit of all varieties, chocolate pudding with whipped cream, Jell-O, and another standout -- a soft-serve ice cream machine with vanilla, chocolate, and a mix of both. Hot fudge, caramel, crumbled Oreo cookies, peanuts, and colored sprinkles complete the tasty treat.

Overall, we had a satisfying dinner and would absolutely recommend Sizzler for a reasonably priced but enjoyable brunch, lunch or dinner. It is an ideal spot for lunch since you can easily be in and out in 40 minutes or less. It is also the perfect restaurant for families, as children would surely be happy with making a meal out of the salad bar alone. Based on all of that, Sizzler gets 3 1/2 dishes.

Sizzler

Lillian Taylor — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Where do you go to eat when you want to stick to a budget but don't want to sacrifice on taste? I suggest Sizzler on Main Street in Commack. My husband and I were there on a recent weekday for an early dinner and we were very satisfied with our experience.

Since every meal comes with an unlimited salad bar, you grab a plate and start to feast. Sizzler maintains an excellent salad bar, which in actuality includes much more than just salad.