Hunter is the unicorn that lives up to, and beyond, the reviews and word-of-mouth raves.
It's a highly-elevated dining experience of eclectic and varied options prepared with an achieved level of superiority.
The restaurant is the highest caliber fare in a stylish but comfortable setting with extraordinary hospitality service.
Accessible from locally in Long Island and worth the trip from NYC and anywhere in the tri-state region.
5/5 in each and every category.
Arriving with family, the Hunter experience starts at entry with true, Gatsby-like class, without the wasteful decadence.
An atmosphere established by an elegant decor and lighting featuring lightly stained wood, with hints at European legendary influences suggesting, without copying, the Venetian flair of contemporary, positively Americanized Cipriani.
It's first evident at the long wavy bar of an exotic onyx.
Perfectly roomy with space for diners and drinkers.
The back wall of the bar is adorned with a large commissioned abstracted cityscape painting that sets a tone of complex (not to be confused with complicated) style.
That theme follows throughout the experience.
Entering the dining area transports to a time in mid-century when the decor suited the mood and functionally established a theme.
Soaring ceilings appointed with a sweeping, architecturally artsy, wood lattice, reminiscent of Italian hotel lobbies when dandies and their gals sat for long hours enjoying the avant- garde.
Calatrava would be jealous.
Lanterns hang above, like lighted sailboats bobbing on the water on a calm, starry night.
This restaurant is obviously very, very special.
And, the menu does equal justice to the design.
Comfortably seated in a corner booth, smiling, cordially professional servers bring out drinks and recommend truly special add-ons, supplementing the menu.
Marinated olives and fresh bread crisped in the oven wait on the table.
Appetizers arrive:
A light, vegetable/lentil broth riddled with onion and carrot;
Chicken meatballs of silkily seasoned protein in a light marinara over creamy polenta;
Fresh, spicy clams in a delicious, soupy broth screaming for a spoon.
The advance line-up elevates anticipation beyond palatal expectations.
The special of the day - Swordfish.
Perfect grill on a precisely cut steak.
Light hints of seasoning with herbs, lemon, capers and a whisper of butter.
The fish is treated respectfully, like a lauded and honored guest.
Plated with aesthetic simplicity, the adjectives of approval fly.
The Swordfish is bold in its veiled simplicity, arrogant in its excellent superiority.
Searching memory, it rises to the best piece of fish I've ever had. Ever.
A small tasting platter of house-made merguez lamb sausage is set down.
It is seasoned as precisely as it was made.
My taste buds sing in appreciation.
If the swordfish was superior, the tasty bites of the sausage are bumptious - questioning whether I'm sufficiently sophisticated to sample their delectable, scrumptious distinction.
The combinations of Mediterranean, French and Italian seasoning and techniques combine like old friends without conflict, the sum far exceeds the parts.
It almost feels like pushing limits to share desserts.
Chef Hunter personally brings out his evening excursion of playful checkerboard cookies.
He is humble - the cookies are not.
Crunchy, hints of gooey, chocolatey goodness; the cookies winningly challenge my vocabulary.
Hunter's talents coax the best from simplicity, which paradoxes the behind-the-scenes complicated efforts.
Chef Hunter plainly works hard to make it appear easy to be exceptional.
A basket of warm, bite-sized chocolate chip madeleines arrive.
Airy and sweet without crashing too hard on the tongue.
I hover defensively. Share? NEVER!
Too good, far too good.
A Pistachio parfait arrives.
Spoons duel for the texturally ideal pistachio ice cream with the right nutty crunch, chewy caramels, etc.
An exceptional meal from start to end.
Chef Hunter's hand is directly involved in every preparation, adept at everything: cooking, baking, breaking down proteins, sauces, plating, pairing.
His politely friendly servers are proud of every dish they set.
Hunter fabulously ascertains that every mouthful is visually excellent, flavorful and toothsome.
Temptations exceed promising accolades.
There is a reason the restaurant is eponymously named.
Anything cutesy would distract.
The restaurant is Chef Hunter's dedicated focus.
"Hunter" may become a universal descriptive, like, "that restaurant is so Hunter;" or, "wow, your new exotic car is so Hunter."
I'm late to the party.
The word is long out.
Advance reservations are a must.
But, so is visitation.
It's an absolute.
Regardless of whether you're deemed a "foodie," if you've not dined at Hunter, your experiences are incomplete.
I'll make it one step easier, short of driving you:
1053 Oyster Bay Road
East Norwich, NY 11732
T: 516.625.8330
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