No Need To Go Long Distance For A Distinct Valentine’s Day Dinner
Valentine’s Day, the day reserved for lovers and celebrations of relationships, can sometimes be a confusing one to plan. The day should not be wasted on big gifts or day trips to wow your significant other. Instead, it should be a day set aside to reflect on the valuable relationship you are fortunate to have.
The most appropriate activity for a day dedicated to love should be a romantic dinner. Remember, romantic doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. It should be a dinner that the two of you can remember and reflect on for the rest of your relationship. So what restaurant can possibly be so memorable? Taking your date out to dinner can be boring if you let it. Being lazy and opting for your favorite restaurant is not always a good choice. Choose something you would have never tried. Lucky for you, Long Island is a haven for different cuisines. From ethnic to American, Long Island hosts an enticing array of restaurant options. But it’s up to you to take advantage of them, so here are a few very tasty suggestions from around the globe (yet all right here).
Restaurant Mirabelle
150 Main St., Stony Brook. 631-751-0555
Restaurant Mirabelle brings Paris, the City Of Love, to life. Set in the Three Village Inn, the restaurant gives patrons a full Eiffel Tower experience. The French restaurant overlooks no expense with its impressive list of wines, two fireplaces and top-quality wait staff. Head Chef and Normandy native Guy Ruege has awed critics with his tasty French Cuisine. He was even named “Chef of the Year” in 2006 by the Maitres Cuisiniers de France. The menu is an exciting culmination of innovative bistro dishes for refined French diners and American food for the French-afraid. Even appetizers are amazing—Chef Ruege serves up a mean Pan-roasted Duck Foie Gras with roasted champagne mango and blood orange gastrique.
How to say “I love you” in French: “Je t’aime.”
The Curry Club
10 Woods Corner Rd., East Setauket. 516-751-4845; 2811 Middle Country Rd., Lake Grove. 631-580-1777
The Curry Club provides an upscale experience for Long Islanders interested in going Indian. That includes cuisine from a variety of regions, including specialties like dosas and vegetarian curries. The Curry Club provides an array of specialty Curry Club creations from Paneer Makhni (homemade cottage-cheese cubes cooked in a rich tomato and cream sauce) to Mango Chicken, which is boneless cubes of chicken supreme batter fried and tossed with spicy mango sauce with onion, tomato and green pepper. Not only can you enjoy your food and seductive Indian surroundings, but your night doesn’t have to end there—neighboring the Curry Club is the Velvet Lounge in East Setauket. It is the post-dinner dancing spot and makes for the perfect nightcap on a Valentine’s Day dinner date!
How to say “I love you” in Hindi: “Mai tumse Pyar karta hoon.”
Besito
1516 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. 516-484-3001; 402 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-549-0100
www.besitomex.com
No need to pack your passport, you can find Mexico in both Huntington and Roslyn in the form of Besito. The authentic Mexican restaurant is owned by veteran restaurateur John Tunney III, who also owns Honu Kitchen & Cocktails in Huntington. Besito is no Mexican knockoff—Tunney journeyed to Mexico to research all aspects of Mexican dining including décor, cuisine and cocktails. He promises patrons won’t see any sombreros or piñatas; what you will find is a dramatic eucalyptus-beamed ceiling, vibrant colored banquettes, authentic wrought-iron wall scones and vivid artwork. Besito provides an array of Mexican choice cuisine from Tacos De Pollo to Enchiladas Suizas, which is a Swiss-style enchilada with shredded chicken baked in a tomatillo cream sauce with melted cheese, onions and cilantro. Of course, no one can forget what Mexico is really known for: its drinks! Besito offers an extensive list of tequilas—more than 75 different tequilas, all straight from Mexico—and don’t forget to try a Besito Patron Margarita with pomegranate-tangerine juice infused into the classic cocktail. Not a fan of creative cocktails? Besito provides a wide selection of wines for the rest.
How to say “I love you” in Spanish: “Te quiero.”
Ciao Baby
5074 Sunrise Hwy., Massapequa Park. 516-799-5200; 204 E. Jericho Tpke., Commack. 631-543-1400.
Imagine drinking fine red wine and listening to Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin, and you are already imagining dining at Ciao Baby. Meatballs and macaroni for all, the home-style cooking that Italian families experience every Sunday at home, this is Ciao Baby’s signature style. As if the restaurant weren’t Italian enough, every week, Ciao Baby has an in-house singer who lightens up the mood and performs your favorite Sinatra tunes. Service is never even a question; Ciao Baby does it the Italian way and doesn’t stop till patrons are totally satisfied. Their house-made sangrias are to die for as well as their stuffed rigatoni with vodka sauce. The lounge-like restaurant is cool yet warming, and is always a great choice when it comes to creative cuisine.
How to say “I love you” in Italian: “Ti amo.”