Where to Eat and Stay While You're There 

These recommendations have been collected over time so, check details before going. Let me know your reactions the good, the bad, and well you know the rest.

 

USA

Home Long Island New York

Sala

189-11 Northern Blvd.

Flushing, NY

718-888-0633

Our new find and it is a great find at that. Sala has it all, besides a great name the food the ambiance and the staff are all the best and reasonable to boot. Give them a try tell John we sent our regards and enjoy.

Lucky Boy

636 Rockaway Tpke.

Lawrence, NY

516-239-9352

 

You can't eat ambiance. But if it’s great food you're looking for, look no further than Lucky Boy in Lawrence, New York. This luncheonette style Greek restaurant is easily one of our favorites. Try the Grilled Jumbo Shrimp over Angel Hair Pasta in a spicy Marinara Sauce. The Greek salads are huge. The bread is baked on the premises. The homemade pies are to die for. And the entire staff makes you feel like you're part of the family. Bring your own wine and be sure to get there by 8 p.m. on Sat. 7:30 weekdays.

 

 

 

Nancy’s Restaurant

255-41 Jericho Tpke.

Floral Park, Floral Park, NY

718-343-4616

 

Nancy’s is a great restaurant with an exciting menu. Try the Blue Cheese with Walnuts Salad. And for the main course, treat yourself to the Hanger Steak.

Cafe Sport

361 Hillside Ave.

Williston Park. NY

Our favorite Portuguese restaurants in the area tell Paul we said hello.

 

Sapori D ‘ischia Trattoria Ischitana

55-15 37^th Ave.

Woodside, NY

718-446-1500

Sapori D ‘ischia Trattoria Ischitana is as hard to find as it is to pronounce. Hidden away amongst the warehouses in Woodside New York, this unique restaurant sells pasta products by day and by night turns into one of the most romantic restaurants New York has to offer. Enjoy live entertainment while you’re dining and a first class wine list. For an appetizer the Cheese Wheel is a must. The meats and fish are always prepared to perfection. Reservations are recommended.

LL Dent

221 Old Country Road

Carle Place NY

516-742-0940

Southern style wonderful and warm try the grits with salmon. Best north or south of the mason you know what.

New York City

Theater District 

Chez Josephine

414 West 42nd St.

212-594-1925

French, run by the adoptived son of Josephine Baker and what an experience great date place with someone special.

Pongsri Thai Restaurant

244 West 48^th St.

Between Broadway & 8^th Ave.

212-957-8674

 

St. Andrews

120 West 44th St.

Between Broadway & 8th Ave.

212-840-8413

Scottish style seafood and steak restaurant, try the crab cakes and babyback ribs you won't be disappointed. Great location for a before theater dinner. Much better then the crowded Virgil's down the block. 

Delta Grill

700 Ninth Ave.

corner of 48th St.

212-956-0934

The best of the Delta here in NYC.
Downtown
El Faro Restaurant
823 Greenwich St.(corner HoratioSt.)
212-929-8210
The best and oldest authentic Spanish Restaurant in NYC and a great atmosphere!

Paul's Da Burger Joint
131 2nd Ave.
212-529-3033
Great old fashioned burger!

Cafecito
185 Ave. C
212- 253-9966
Authentic Cuban Cuisine great cuban sandwiches.

Brooklyn

Ferdnnando's Foccaceria

(Union near Hicks) Across the BQE and, at 104-years-old, the oldest restaurant in the area. A remnant on Union Street pushcarts days, when this area was a shopping mecca that rivaled Court Street. Frank Buffa continues the family concern, selling peerless Sicilian delicacies. It's been renovated a lot over the years to "look" classic, but still worth the trip. Potato Special and Panelle Special sandwiches recommended.

Sea Thai Restaurant & Bistro
114N 6th St.
Brooklyn, NY
718-384-8850
Best Thai in the metro area. Gets crazy on the weekends so go early this neighborhood has become very popular. The appetizers are the best so try a few.

The Bronx

 Dominick's Restaurant

2335 Arthur Ave.

Bronx, NY

718-733-2807

If you know the Bronx you know Dominick's or at least you have heard the name. If you have not been you have to give it a try.

 

New York State

Edo Japanese Steak House

4787 Boston Post Road

Pelham Manor, N.Y. 10803

914-738-1413
 

The Woodstock Inn

48 Tannery Brook Road

Woodstock, NY

800-420-4707

www.woodstock-inn-ny.com

 The Woodstock Inn is an interesting off the beaten path place to stay. They offer a great breakfast with lots of fresh fruit and home baked goodies. You’ll love the water falls in back of the Inn.

 

 

The Bear Café

Bearsville Theater Complex

About 2 miles west of RT 375 and RT 212 junction

845-679-5555

 

Honored by the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the past 5 years, we were very impressed with this restaurant.

 

 

The Culinary Institure of America

Apple Pie Bakery Cafe

Hyde Park 

Gigi Trattoria

6422 Montgomery St.

Rhinebeck

845-876-1007(make reservations)

Try the french fries worth the trip plus a great little town for a day trip.

Eveready Diner

4189 Albany Post Rd.

Route 9 North

Hyde Park NY

845-229-8100

Just a good old fashioned dinner with great all American food.

 

Maine

 

Connecticut

Stonington: A great location for a long weekend, a few minutes away from Mystic and so much quieter.

 

Orchard Street Inn

www.iloveinns.com/innlink.php?innID=33563&city=Stonington&state=CT

 Situated in a quaint historic seaside village along the shoreline, this romantic bed and breakfast has a friendly feel. The four guest bedrooms are in a cottage separate from the main house. Each has its own entrance and each is decorated differently. Enjoy a delicious breakfast on your own private patio. The inn keepers Regina and Richard could not make you feel more at home. You can now purchase my Stonington Collection note cards and prints at the Inn, Regina and I have been working on a great collection we hope you will enjoy.

California

Las Brisas

361 Cliff Drive

Laguana Beach

949-497-5434

It just dose not get better then this.

Oregon

 Local Ocean Seafoods

213 SE Bay Blvd.

Newport, Or

541-574-7959

  Europe

 

Italy

Florence (Firenze)

Ristorante Il Latini 

Via del Palchetti

055/210 916

All I can say if you are in Florence don't miss this one! Have your hotel make reservations and join the group waiting by the door.

Ristorante La Giostra

Borgo Pinti, 10r

055/24.13,41

laguistra@mclink.it

Very romantic!

Ristorante' Fuor d'acqua a Firenze

Via Pisana, 37/r 

055 222299

Best fish in Florence, however they don't open until the truck comes with the fresh fish for the day it's worth the wait.

La Grotta di Leo

Via della Scala, 41/43r

055/219.265

Great Pizza!

Milan (Miliano)

Osteria La Risacca "6"

Via B. Cellini

02-55181658

Great fish resturant!

Venice (Venezia)  

Every step of this amazing city is a taste treat for the eyes, however, even the locals admit you have to know where to eat. We believe that we found some of the best and most reasonably priced restaurants in town.

 

Alla Madonna

Calle Della Madonna

S. Polo 594 Venezia

041-5223824

 

This was our favorite find. They do not take reservations and it’s where the locals eat. On a small street right off the Grand Canal two blocks from the Ponte di Rialto.

 

 

Antica Trattoria: La Furatola

Calle Lunga S. Barnaba 2869/A

Dorsoduro (Venezia) 041/5208594

E-mail furatola@gpnet.it

 

We enjoyed a pasta dish made with local seafood. House wines were fantastic. Make sure you make reservations. Go early and spend some time in Barnaba Square. Don’t miss seeing their wonderful collection of old photographs of Venice.

Rome (Roma)

Ristorante Ambasciata d' Abrurro

Via Pietro Tacchini 26 (Parioli) Roma

 06.80.78.256

www.ambasciata-di-abruzzo.it

Out of the way but worth the trip.

Netherlands

 

Amsterdam

 

Kentjil & De Tijger

Spustraat 291-293

1012 vs Amsterdam

020 620 09 94