King Umbertos is a restaurant that brings back so many memories. The first time I ever ate at there was on my very first date with my husband. Little did I know that we would spend our first Valentine’s Day there and many more future family functions. The beauty of King Umberto is that the quality of the food is always consistent and it represents home. King Umberto is a family run pizzeria and restaurant (they are side by side). It is home of the infamous fried cappellini (definitely not a dietitian’s choice, but surely a crowd pleaser) and one of the best slices of Grandma Pizza on the island! They also serve all the traditional, healthy, yet delicious Italian dishes. My ultimate favorite is the sautéed broccoli rabe. I know from experience to ask for this specialty with light oil. In fact any time vegetables are sautéed you should always ask for light oil.

We haven’t been to King Umberto in quite a while, since it isn’t as close to home anymore, but ventured back last week with the family. As soon as we entered we were warmly welcomed! The matradee greeted us at the door kissing everyone and inquiring about our lives. We sat down and were immediately served our “usual”, a bottle of Pino Grigio Santa Margarita and a bottle of Cabernet. They serve fresh, warm pizza bread on the table to start (which I stay away from because there are so many other delicious things to eat). Traditionally, our Italian family likes to start with pasta, followed by an entrée and then salad. Because I love the main course so much, I skip out on the pasta.

I started my meal with the Pasta Fagioli: Ditali pasta, cannellini beans, in a tomato vegetable broth. It is light, fresh, and delicious. For my main course I usually order something from the Simple Grilled menu or a special. Last week I ordered the special: Striped Bass Nicoise – pan seared bass, with garlic, tomatoes, olives, capers and artichoke hearts. It is served with risotto, but I skipped that and ordered a side of broccoli rabe instead. It was cooked perfectly! The portion is very generous so I saved some to take home. Many of the dishes are rich in garlic, a powerhouse antioxidant that makes any meal taste delicious! As for dessert, I have learned being married into a super Italian family that the meal should always end with a “digestive” as they would say, aka, an after dinner drink. I skip dessert and order a limencello – brings me back to Italy!

Buon Appetito!

The holiday season is amazing, but every year I feel like I get more and more busy during this time. Last year my husband and I visited so many people that we didn’t have a chance to spend any quality time together. This year we decided to have a special night alone during the holidays. And since one of our favorite things to do is going out to dinner, we thought we’d continue our exploration of our new town and landed at Xaga Sushi in Merrick.

From the outside the place looks like a diner, but upon entering we realized quickly that it is nothing of the kind. Xaga has two floors. The main floor is decorated modernly with surround sound and plush cushion wall decors. It has a cool feel and a beautiful sushi bar. We didn’t have reservations so we sat at the bar and had a drink while we waited. I had a glass of chardonnay and my husband had a cocktail. The bartender was very friendly and had a very generous pour. He gave us complimentary edamame – which was piping hot and delicious. I love edamame and always order it as an appetizer when we do Asian.

We sat rather quickly and got a great spot suited for both of us. My husband had perfect view of the college football (which he only peaked at since we were on a date ? ) and I had great view of the sushi bar. The menu was pretty extensive so it was hard to choose our entrees. We started with the mango roll: tuna, avocado inside, topped with mango and homemade mango sauce. It was super fresh and light. For our entrée my husband ordered the Rib Eye Steak Teriyaki which is not the leanest cut of beef but he was in the mood and heard it was delicious! It was a nice portion, but not too big and it wasn’t doused in sauce either. He ordered brown rice with his meal and a miso soup. I ordered the Spicy Mango Shrimp with the sauce on the side. The shrimp were cooked perfectly and the sauce had just enough kick! We skipped dessert and left feeling full, not stuffed. It was great!

Everyone has at least one nostalgic restaurant; a place that is homey, brings back fond memories, and has killer food. Mine? Waterzooi, the only Belgian Bistro in Long Island. Home of the most amazing mussels served in fourteen different styles (to date)! The second I walk into this place, I get a waft of pure deliciousness! Mussels are a dietitians dream come true; they contain vitamins and minerals such as B12, iron, selenium and vitamin C. As an added bonus, they take on an array of flavors and serve as a great source of lean protein.

I have been going to Waterzooi for mussels for at least a decade. I love this place, so much that my family planned my bridal shower here (it was a Sunday brunch which was amazing). We usually try to go during the week or on a Friday night because it can get pretty crowded and they only take reservations of parties of six of more. Don’t worry though because if you do have to wait they have over 100 beers to choose from and a full bar.

I hear that all the food they serve is pretty amazing (steak, fish, chicken) but in all the years I have been going here I can’t seem to order anything besides mussles – that would be cheating! When ordering the mussels one should choose wisely because some of sauces can be very heavy. And know that because they are served in gargantuan cooking pots, one pot of mussels can easily feed two-to-three people for a meal and four or more people as an appetizer. My husband and I always order either the oysters to start or the Jumbo Lump Crab Salad with the dressing on the side. Then it’s go time: Bouillabaisse Mussels, topped with sautéed calamari (which we add) and we ask that they make it a little spicy. The Bouillabaisse mussels contain shrimp and lobster served in a saffron tomato broth. It is out of this world. All the mussels are served with French Fries, which I skip, and get a side of spinach. If you avoid the dipping bread in the sauce, you’ll leave feeling satisfied and happy! Hope you get to check this place out – it is a real prize!

Food for Thought is a health food store in the heart of Garden City that prepares fresh hot dishes, soups, salads and juices. It is one of my go-to lunch places. I try to get there once a week, usually on Friday afternoons when I am feeling sluggish and beat up from the week. Without fail I leave there feeling rejuvenated and ready for the weekend. There is nothing like eating a healthy meal that tastes delicious and was prepared with fresh, organic ingredients. The menu items were created by a holistic chef and they are delicious!

Food for Thought isn’t a place you go to dine in with friends. They only have a few tables, but the feel is homey and is definitely a neighborhood hot spot. Many people just pop in to get a fresh fruit smoothie made from their enormous juicer. Others get food to go. Last week I had the most unbelievable Creamy Green soup made sans cream and sans dairy. The woman behind the counter let me taste it before I decided to order. It contained brown rice, split peas, and carrots – so delicious! One of my other all time favs is the raw Kale Slaw made with lemon and mustard. It is super refreshing and has a pleasant mouth feel. On days When I need a more substantial lunch I go for the Tuna and Quinoa salad which is chock full of filling fiber and protein. You really can’t go wrong when it comes to ordering.

Besides wholesome food, they also sell specialty items like gluten free breads, an array of protein powders, and supplements from reliable brands like Carlson, Nature’s Path and Nordic Naturals. If you’re ever in the area, I definitely recommend you check it out.

Since we bought our new home in Merrick a few months ago dining out has become increasingly exciting and particularly spontaneous! Last week we found ourselves hopping in the car at 9pm without a plan. There is nothing like a last minute Thursday night date night. This night we stumbled upon a gem, (maybe our new spot!) Nicholas James Bistro.

NJ Bistro is an understated, two story, open kitchen Bistro with a warm, cozy feel. As soon as I opened the menu I knew it was going to be a good meal. NJ Bistro offers organic fare: greens, poultry as well as whole grain dishes and wild salmon. We were pleasantly surprised by their $25 wine menu and $24.95 special three course dinner menu! If you are looking to eat lighter fair they also have a Simply Grilled option.

We both opted for the three course prix fix accompanied by wine of course. We started off by ordering a Red Zinfandel – one of my favorite wines. I just love the fruitiness of a good Zinfandel! It isn’t my husbands’ favorite but he orders it once and a while to make me happy! For our first course, we shared the black been hummus, served will grilled Portobello mushrooms, olives, roasted peppers and grilled tomatoes and the Pear and Endive Salad, sans candied walnuts with the sherry vinaigrette dressing on the side. I admired the presentation of the food and couldn’t help but smirk when I saw my husbands eyes light up after his first bite of the grilled pita dipped in hummus. He has become a bit of a foodie! The portions were just right too.

My second course was a grilled Wild Salmon served atop of morrocon cous cous and grilled asparagus in a light wine sauce. The dish was perfectly cooked. Dom ordered a Coca Cola marinated skirt steak served with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables – definitely not a dietitian’s pick, but the portion wasn’t huge and it was cooked just right. We ended the evening with a raspberry sorbet that we shared. I loved the neighborhood feel of this place. There is definitely something on the menu for everyone. I would certainly go back.