Page 84 July 30, 2021 DAN’S PAPERS danspapers.com
FOOD & DRINK
Manna’s Chef, Wading River
Dining & More
BY HARRY POWERS
CHEF HIGHLIGHT: THOMAS
BOGIA, MANNA AT LOBSTER
INN Chef Thomas Bogia started his culinary
career working for the talented,
three-star Michelin chef Laurent
Tourondel at LT Burger in Sag
Harbor. After three years there—and
looking to grow his career—he met
up with his old sous chef, Courtney
Sypher, now executive chef of Sen,
where he started working for Jesse
Matsuoka, who has become a
major influence. In fact, Matsuoka
took him to Japan in
2018 to acquire a deeper understanding
of sushi preparation.
Bogia returned and
FOOD
SEEN
ran the sushi program at Sen
for a year, when he was tabbed
to take on his next venture, chef at
Southampton’s Manna at Lobster Inn.
In his spare time, Bogia loves to spend
time at his home in Rocky Point with
his wife, Diana, and their two cats,
Simba and Baloo, who were adopted
from ARF. In addition, he enjoys
bowling and playing golf.
***
Where to eat if you’re in the Baiting
Hollow/Wading River area: Farm
fresh produce, freshly caught seafood,
a well-stocked bar and pet-friendly,
Sound Avenue Bistro has everything
you could wish for when dining
out. While their regular menu has enticing
items like steak au poivre and
tempura fried pufferfish, the weekly
specials add a fun and tasty surprise
for every visit. If you drop by during
the week ,you can take advantage of
their happy hour from 4–6 p.m.
Farm-to-truck-style food is met at
Billie Jean’s Grill on weekends at
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard. One
can nosh on delectable burgers, all
freshly ground and hand-packed,
topped with fresh veggies homegrown
on Long Island. Besides burgers, Billie
Jean’s Grill offers easy to-go foods
like wraps, sandwiches, finger foods
like clam strips and onion rings and
much more. For an extra $3.50 you
can turn your meal into a deal and
add French fries and a drink!
Sunday brunch is back at
Desmond’s at The Inn at
East Wind. The Zagat-rated
restaurant and pub offers a
warm and welcoming environment
and serves lunch and
dinner. Brunch lovers can enjoy
fresh baked goods, hot-iron Belgian
waffles and a dessert table. If you’re
looking to dine later in the day, check
out their prix fixe menu available Sunday
through Thursday for $32.95 and
Friday and Saturday for $36.95.
Set in a striking beachfront location
offering both indoor and terrace seating,
La Plage is one of Long Island’s
top dining destinations. Their unique
French-American cuisine features
fish and produce that is brought in
fresh every day from local farmers
and fish markets. Menu highlights
include fresh burrata cheese drizzled
with honey and rosemary, sweet corn
soup, slow-braised pork Osso Bucco
and duck leg confit. If you need something
to quench your thirst, sip on one
of their tasty libations, like the orange
blossom cosmo or coconut margarita.
MANNA AT LOBSTER INN CHEF THOMAS BOGIA
Celebrating its 10th year, Taste of Two Forks
brings together the best restaurants and
wineries from the North Fork and South Fork. “
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