FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JUNE 29, 2017 • BUZZ • THE QUEENS COURIER 57
dining out
Dining on Long Island
and in Brooklyn
BY PEARL ADLER
I dined at one of my favorite restaurants,
Westbury Manor on busy Jericho
Turnpike on Long Island one evening, and
another night had a delightful dining experience
at Cebu in Bay Ridge in Brooklyn.
Both places are unique in their own way.
Westbury Manor, built in 1880, is set on
fi ve acres, and is an elegant Victorian mansion
with old-world charm. Th e grounds
are surrounded by lush gardens that add
to the elegance of both the restaurant
and the renowned catering facilities. Its
dining room, the Polo Lounge, specializes
in authentic Italian cuisine. It has
dark wood-paneled walls, and subtle lighting
with intimate banquettes strategically
placed to off er privacy while dining
to piano music.Th e restaurant has been
run since 1982 by the renowned restaurateurs,
the Scotto brothers. Today, Jerry
Scotto has sole ownership and has further
enhanced the popular dining and catering
Mecca.
I ate dinner at a table near the piano
player and enjoyed his mood music. It was
never too loud in the intimate Polo Lounge
but there is also an option to eat in the
glass-enclosed conservatory contiguous to
the paneled room.
We began our meal with crunchy fried
calamari served with a thick, spiced-justright
marinara and Th ai chili sauce. My
companion had perfectly prepared baked
littleneck clams seasoned with light breadcrumbs
and lemon. Th ere were multiple
clam and oyster appetizers to choose
between.
With multiple salad choices, we ordered
the classic Caesar salad with slices of parmigiano
reggiano cheese, romaine hearts
and classic dressing. We also had the Polo
Salad made with beets,asparagus, goat
cheese,candied walnuts and mixed greens
with a balsamic dressing, a great blend of
textures and tastes.
I had the branzino al cartoccio baked in
parchment paper with shrimp and scallops,
white wine and herbs, for a diff erent
and delicious take on my favorite fi sh.
Th ere are multiple fi sh and meat choices,
something for everyone.
Of course, there is an enticing selection
of desserts available too. It was a memorable
meal that made me want to come back.
And I will!
Polo Lounge at Westbury Manor, 1100
Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, NY 11590;
516-333-7117.
Th en, later in the week, I met friends
at Brooklyn’s intimate cozy, Cebu Bar &
Bistro near my offi ce in Bay Ridge where
we publish the Brooklyn Spectator and
Home Reporter.
Cebu’s owners Michael and Ted have
created a bistro with an inspired classic
American cuisine in a setting that off ers
several rooms for drinking and dining.
Aft er leaving my car with the valet, I
entered a dimly lit space with a large
mahogany bar with banquettes for dining
and another with intimate corner window
seats and fi replace that is my favorite for
lunch with my friends. Another two rooms
are also warm and inviting.
My friends joined me in the intimate
room with the fi replace used in winter.
We had come from work and fortunately
were hungry. We began with the colossal
shrimp cocktail. Th e shrimp were big and
tasty. We shared the charred octopus with
potato in a red wine vinegar sauce and the
juicy steak skewers.
From those tasty appetizers we went to
the salad selections and enjoyed a Kale
Caesar with shaved pecorino that was different
and delicious.
For the main course, I ordered the baked
wild salmon prepared with fennel and a
potato purée. It was cooked just how I like
it, medium rare. My friend had the juicy
Cebu burger of black angus beef served
with lettuce and tomato, bacon and cheese,
with crispy, crunchy French fries on the
side. Yummy!
Th e executive chef Carlos Rodriguez-
Lima has brought American cuisine with a
special fl air to the busy Th ird Avenue corridor
and the community has made it a
favorite destination for lunch, dinner and
Sunday brunch.
Cebu Bar & Bistro, 8801 Th ird Avenue,
Brooklyn, NY 11209; 718-492-5095.
Try these dining venues -- you too will
love the experience.
Saturday, July 8, 2017: 1:00PM -8:00PM
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
CURATED BY JON BATISTE
WITH A FEATURED PERFORMANCE BY
JON BATISTE AND STAY HUMAN
VINCE GIORDANO & THE NIGHTHAWKS
MEMBERS OF THE DAP-KINGS
WITH FREESTYLE RAPPERS
DON FLAMINGO • AVENUE • KRIS KASANOVA
HAVANA ROOTS COLLECTIVE
For More Information & Tickets Visit Us At:
www.armstrongswonderfulworld.com
Cebu off ers some amazing delicacies.