With a name like Gino, you know I feel a strong connection to the diverse LI Italian-American community. The entire length and breadth of that boot-shaped nation is explored in numerous iterations on our sandbar. The newly opened Osteria Salina in Bridgehampton (631) 613-6469 delves into the Sicilian side of things, with a kitchen headed by experienced Italian native Cinzia Gaglio. The menu is dominated by simple yet tasty bites that fit right in with the Sicilian cuisine philosophy. Ragazzi Italian Kitchen and Bar in Nesconset (631) 265-8200 is bringing out the always-a-favorite Pasta Night every Tuesday from 4-10pm. Get any pasta entrée, salad and dessert for $19.95 plus tax and gratuity. Pasta dishes include Linguini Al Molusco (linguini pasta with Little Neck clams in a red or white clam sauce), Ravioli Spinaci (homemade spinach and cheese ravioli sautéed in a light spinach cream sauce) and Lasagna Rollatini (homemade lasagna rolls stuffed with ricotta, Pecorino Romano and mozzarella cheese topped with a spicy fra diavolo sauce)—and that’s just scratching the surface.
Quite possibly the greatest concentration of culinary talent gathered together on LI at any time will assemble at the 2012 Chefs Dinner, happening at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton on July 28
(greatchefsdinner.com). The evening is a benefit for the Hayground School’s Jeff’s Kitchen and The Jeff Salaway Scholarship Fund. Foodie legends Josh Capon (Lure Fishbar) and Harold Dieterle (Perilla NYC) are among the numerous participating chefs who will be crafting tasty vittles with locally sourced ingredients at the cocktail party ($150) and sit-down dinner ($750). VIP tables are available.
Lastly, congrats are in order for Empire State Cellars, a New York-only wine tasting room at Tanger Outlet Center in Riverhead (631) 369-3080. They have been granted the opportunity to curate a selection of wines for exhibition and sale at the newly opened New York State Wine Outlet in Shanghai, China—the largest city in the world by population and a major commerce hub. Vintages from the North Fork will, of course, be heavily represented.
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