Just a little update to show more love for The Refuge (and a note to self to come back in good…read moreweather to enjoy that huge, beautiful patio). I can't believe it has taken me close to 2 years to return. I think I had it in my head that it's far from my father's house in Wantagh (Melville sounds a lot further away than Farmingdale. I really don't know Long Island's geography at all since I do not drive here). My brother suggested we meet up at The Refuge after a cemetery visit in nearby Farmingdale and I immediately said yes, recalling the beautiful interior and robust vegan options. The first time, I came with my husband, so I was eager to see how the rest of my family liked it, especially my father. Last time I was at The Refuge, it was beautifully decked out for the holidays and this time it was no less lovely with early fall decor (not quite Halloween time yet, so maybe it'll look a little different in a few days). I just love the vibe here and after being so used to dining in tiny city establishments (which I love, don't get me wrong), it's refreshing to have space between tables and room to breathe. It's well-appointed, almost making you feel like you're in a really cool barn (I mean this in the best way). Party space that you can rent out is well-hidden in the back. The bar area is also large but so inviting. I hear it's lively on Friday and Saturday nights. We were there on a Sunday afternoon, just after brunch at around 3, so there was plenty of seating available and it was pretty chill although not empty. If you are vegan or GF ask for the separate menu! They really should note it on the regular menu because if you have such restrictions, at first glance you'll think there's nothing here for you. Last time I had the vegan ravioli and meatballs and as much I recall having liked it, I knew I wanted to try something new, so I had the protein-rich sauteed "chicken" served over a bed of quinoa. I know this sounds basic but it's anything but. The chicken cutlets are succulent and delicious (I believe Gardein, but they season and prepare them to perfection) and the quinoa has a rich tomato sauce, as well as artichokes and mushrooms making it utterly delicious. Meaning, I ate the entire thing. There was no avoiding that. It didn't even need salt or any other seasoning. My father is still talking about the Margarita pizza he had, so I know we'll be returning next time I'm in town. My brother and sister-in-law also loved their food. Happiness all-around. Even the iced tea is good (I tried my father's sweetened iced tea and I don't even like iced tea but this is more like an Arnold Palmer!) I had 2 glasses of a decent rose, but someday I'll be trying one of those cocktails or sangria. Now, just a plea for some vegan desserts!

Very nice place to have a meal and spend quality time with tour friends and family. Love the…read moreatmosphere the place exudes. GPS routed me to the other side of the building which was a bunch of offices but I kept driving and found the Refuge around the corner. Had I waited one road to turn Ii would have pulled into their parking lot. My mistake or rather my GPS' mistake. E we were a very large group of people and they were very accommodating. We had several tables set up and actually had another person show up and they quickly added another table for us. Everything was served in waves which kept things flowing and allowed us all to catch up on talking. Appetizers were excellent. The fried calamari especially, these are probably the best I have had as they were not as chewy as most other places. Great job. Entrees came out and we were amazed at the portions and taste of the meals. Excellent dining experience. Have to mention the bathroom area as there are all down a corridor with a small room for each toilet area. Comfortable and private. Overall a great place to dine and socialize.

Had my daughter Danielle's wedding there Sunday 7/19/26. It…read morecould not have gone any better......... See Roy when ya go , and he will handle all the details. The space, the food, the drinks, the ambiance, all excellent. Only glitch we had was we couldn't get our 'picture montage' to work up on the large TV behind the bar. True 5 star Venue

Service again was spot on. Our female waitress lyanna…read more (didn't remember her name) Who is fairly new was awesome. The drinks were awesome as usual. The short ribs were perfect. The lobster pasta dish was good. Apple tart was absolutely perfect ending

Always busy, weekends are hard to get in but weekday dinners are better. Love love love sitting…read moreoutside, great ambience, especially during sunset. The food is pretty on point, with the fries being the very highlight!! Love the servers too, super attentive!

We finally made it to The Shed in Plainview and it completely lived up to the hype. From the moment…read morewe walked in, the vibe was relaxed but lively--bright, modern, and welcoming with that perfect neighborhood-restaurant energy. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the whole place just feels like a solid go-to spot for brunch, lunch, or dinner. We started with the fried calamari, and honestly... it was amazing. Perfectly crispy on the outside, tender inside, and the portion was generous. The only small note is that the seasoning was a bit strong/bold for our taste--almost like it needed a little more time to marinate or mellow so the flavors could balance better. Still, we cleaned the plate. It's the kind of appetizer that makes you keep reaching for just one more piece. For the mains, I ordered the Shed Burger and my wife went with the Steak House Burger (the one with bleu cheese, crispy onions, and house steak sauce). Both were excellent. The Shed Burger was juicy, well-seasoned, and stacked just right with the American and Swiss, lettuce, tomato, onion jam, and that signature Shed sauce. The Steak House Burger was equally impressive--the steak sauce and bleu cheese gave it a richer, more savory punch that my wife loved. Taste on both was awesome. The meat was cooked properly, the buns held up, and the overall flavor was spot-on comfort food done right. We also got the Shed Fries on the side and they were crispy and addictive with the dipping sauce. Everything felt fresh and made with care. Portions were solid, the atmosphere made it easy to settle in and enjoy the meal, and we left happy and already talking about what we'll order next time. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a reliable, tasty meal in Plainview. We'll definitely be back.

We went for our 50th wedding anniversary , on September 4th. We were greeted with two glasses of…read morechampagne. The service and the food were impeccable. At the end of the meal we were given a complementary dessert with a flaming sparkler. The assistant manager, Edwin and the waitress, Kathryn were the best. Right on point for anything we both needed. We even received a gift from Edwin and the restaurant. This is an awesome amazing night out , and the food was perfect.

Always a delicious meal. The veal was absolutely tender and…read moreflavorful. The salmon was generous and prepared perfectly. We order the beefsteak tomatoes and arugula it was delicious but a little disappointing it has one 3 1/2 slices (1 1/2 thin slices). Cocktails & Service was outstanding! If I didn't have a outstanding meal and service my review would of been a 4 star FYI We don't mind paying for custom dishes but to add $3 for 3 pieces of garlic for Mashed potatoes is crazy. Just charge one price on the receipt it's disturbing.

Foundry Tavern in Hicksville was a HUGE surprise for me. I knew the place had been completely…read morerenovated, but I honestly wasn't expecting the food to be as good as it was. First off, the inside is beautiful. They did an incredible job with the renovation, and I loved all the little details, especially the custom 300-pound manhole covers they're using as tables around the bar. Even better, everyone working there was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Now the food! We started with the Baked Clams, and these were legit. You could've served them to me at an Italian restaurant and I wouldn't have questioned it. The Nonna's Ribs were probably one of the biggest surprises--slow-braised pork ribs with cherry peppers and finished on the grill. Fall-off-the-bone tender, tons of flavor, and I loved that they weren't just drenched in BBQ sauce. The Firebird crispy chicken sandwich was fantastic, and the Steakhouse Sandwich with sliced NY strip, mushrooms, provolone, crispy onions and horseradish aioli was also very well done. But that Manhole Burger deserves some special attention. Beef, American cheese, caramelized onions and dijonnaise on brioche. Simple combination, executed REALLY well. This was an outstanding burger and absolutely something I'd order again. And I can't leave out the fries. They're hand-cut in house, super thin and crispy, and exactly how I like my fries. Think that addictive thin fast-food style, except made fresh and much better quality. If you remember this location from its previous ownership, give it another shot. This is a completely different experience. Beautiful restaurant, genuinely friendly staff and food that exceeded my expectations. Foundry Tavern is a Hicksville hidden gem that deserves more attention--especially for lunch. I'll definitely be back.

Went to the Foundry Friday night…read more Off path location and not great parking. We had no reservations so we ended up sitting in the outside area. Cute little spot. Heard the guy next to us order a French dip and the waiter said great, we have only 2 left. So when he came to us I ordered and he said great timing it's the last one. Took 45 minutes to get our strawberry salad which was delicious. Another 3o minutes go by (and the guy next to me who ordered the other French dip had already finished and left) So the strawberry waiter, after more than 1.15hr walk over and says "hey, we ran out of the French so I ordered you the steak sandwich. Huh? 1 hour and fifteen min later you ran out and the other guy already ate and left? I said great, but I'm not paying for it. 10 min later the owner came out. He could not have been a friendlier, responsible and all around nice person. It wasn't that he not only covered my meal but the table but it was the way he handled it. Owning a restaurant is not easy and problems happen. Food - 8/10 Prices 9/10 Place 8/10 I would not only recommend this place but they have absolutely earned my business. I obviously can't give a 5 because of the incident but I will change this to a 5 when I go back and get the service I have a feeling I'll receive. This owner deserves the business because he knows how to run a business. Money follows the people not the other way around.

This has been on my list for a while, and I'm glad I finally got to try it! Rustic Root is a…read morefarm-to-table restaurant, and I love that they write who they partner with on their giant chalkboard. I made a reservation for two on a Saturday night, and the restaurant was pretty busy, but they had our table ready even though we arrived 30 minutes early. Our server was Evelyn, and she was so sweet and she helped us when we were trying to decide between two desserts and three appetizers. We ordered: - Spring Salad (5/5) this tasted so good with the fresh mango, the snap peas, and the carrot ginger dressing. - Faroe Islands Salmon (5/5) I only tasted the rice, and not the salmon itself, but the rice was so good, and I just kept on stealing more from the plate. - Roasted-Half Chicken (4/5) This was my own entrée, and I loved how the chicken was crispy, and I also really liked the garlic mashed potatoes, but the only thing that I did not think worked well with the dish was the swiss chard. I think it would've tasted better with spinach. - Strawberry Cheesecake (4/5) this was surprisingly very light for a cheesecake, we ended up finishing all of it, and the whipped cream was really good. The strawberries were not my favorite, I kind of wish that they were just fresh slices of strawberries, but to each their own. All in all, this was a super solid meal, there's plenty of parking, and the restaurant is quite spacious, and the single bathrooms are also pretty large.

Had lunch at Rustic Root today and it was phenomenal from start to finish. You can immediately tell…read morehow much the chef and the team put into their farm-to-table concept--every bite was insanely fresh and full of flavor. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between upscale and welcoming. The service was top-notch, attentiveness without feeling rushed. If you're looking for a standout lunch spot on Long Island, this place sets the bar. Will definitely be returning soon! drinks were insane ! Yum

I ordered from this place the other day for delivery. They have an awesome and interesting menu…read more They have Dorito mozzarella bites, which I ordered. They weren't my favorite but it was for sure different. I tried it the next day cold and was actually able to taste the dorito flavor on them. For my main I ordered the honey mustard fried chicken sandwich. It was so good! Wasn't greasy, the fries were great. I really enjoyed it. I'd love to go to sit down there next time.

This was my first time here and it wasn't bad. The bar vibe was cool and for a Friday night, it was…read morenot packed at all. I absolutely LOVED my grilled shrimp quesadilla, as it was seasoned well and nice and flakes, and the avocado made the chicken sandwich pop. Unfortunately the fried pickles were lackluster, with them having too much breading, that gave off a Tempura texture. I'd go back again, if only for the shrimp quesadilla alone .

Pearl Kitchen & Cocktails is a hidden gem and after eating here several times, I can confidently…read moresay it never disappoints! The food is consistently delicious, and their cocktail menu is absolute top-tier. I usually go with the Lychee Coconut cocktail, which is wonderfully refreshing and smooth. My husband recently enjoyed the Two Sheets to the Wind. We have had their fresh east coast oysters, tuna tartar, the crispy and flavorful Bang Bang Shrimp, and the Prosciutto Flatbread topped with arugula, fig jam, and goat cheese. You also cannot skip out on their "Quebec Famous" poutine, it is completely divine with crispy fries, mozzarella, and savory gravy. If you are looking for an incredible vibe, stellar drinks, and elevated comfort food, this is the place to be. We will definitely be back again soon!

My cousin and I tried Pearl Kitchen & Cocktails for the first time last night, and we really…read moreenjoyed it! We decided to order a bunch of shareables, including the Thai Peanut Calamari, Oysters Rockefeller, Poutine Fries, and Hummus, which was served with cucumbers, tomatoes, and crackers. Everything was delicious! The cocktails were yummy, too! The service was attentive and added to the overall experience. The restaurant itself is super cute, with a nice ambiance. We were actually surprised it wasn't busier for a Friday night, but we enjoyed being able to catch up and talk. As the evening went on and the restaurant cleared out a bit more, the music got louder, shifting the atmosphere into more of a bar vibe. It was nice to experience both sides of the place! Overall, a great first visit and we'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu!

I went there on a Sunday with a friend around dinner time for cocktails and a charcuterie. We were…read moreblown out of the water!!! The cocktails were amazing! The blueberry lemon drop (vodka based) and French 75 (gin based) were to die for. We stayed about 2 hours longer than we planned because the drinks and food were so good. The "jack of all trades" manager Louis was so personable. We had great conversations about our personal lives and the businesses. The bartender Kevin made one of the best cocktails my friend and I have ever had! They have bottomless brunch on the weekends for only $18! So worth the time.

Located on Long Island - Farmingdale. Be prepared to pay for metered parking. The street parking…read moregets filled up fast however there is a parking lot in the back. Ambiance- This is a cute place to dine in. Smaller than what we expected however they did not lack in service and the food did not disappoint. We shared the shrimp toast and the lobster egg roll. I will definitely return for both. My friend got the steak and I got the jerk chicken. ( as a Jamaican I wanted to see how the flavors would be) I thought it would be a the chicken quarter but it was boneless chicken thighs. It was flavorful however they should note that it is boneless on the menu. Loved that it was served with plantains! My friend enjoyed her steak, I tried a piece and it was juicy and flavorful. The food was reasonably priced and so were the cocktails. For dessert i recommend the espresso martini WITH cream and the peanut butter slice.

We are never coming back as our first experience and meal can't be beat-it could only go downhill!…read moreJust kidding -everything about the food was amazing --high quality -perfectly cooked -/flavorful --portions size good. We could not believe how good the the lobster and shrimp was and the chicken basil --both not complicated dishes per se were tasty and delicious. Service was attentive and the inside ambiance was modern.

We went for lunch, two of us. First of all, the restaurant is beautiful. Contemporary decor, very…read moreelegantly done. We sat in a booth by the window and it was lovely. The only negative about the ambiance was that it was quite loud. The high ceilings didn't do much to absorb sound, so it was hard to hear my companion unless we leaned forward and spoke pretty loudly. The booth was very comfortable, the table spotless, and even the menu was clean (a small pet peeve of mine). The tap water came in a beautiful glass with a straw, although the water itself tasted a bit chemical-like. They have a lunch menu with very reasonable prices. We ordered a sushi-sashimi combo and stir-fried soba with vegetables. The lunch menu is limited, so they also gave us the regular menu. Oddly, only 1 regular menu was provided for 2 people, so we had to keep passing it back and forth. It's an easy fix that would make browsing much easier. We ended up ordering an appetizer and a signature roll from the regular menu too. The lunch specials came with salad or soup. We chose the salad, which was mostly romaine with a typical Japanese dressing. The portion was larger than expected for a side salad, and the lettuce was fresh and crunchy. Our appetizer was the Lobster Tapas: "Spicy lobster & shrimp wrapped with seared pepper tuna." This was delicious. There were 5 little towers with very fresh ingredients and 2 excellent sauces--a chunky green sauce and a sweeter orange sauce. The tuna was flavorful and very tender. At this point we were already planning to come back with the rest of the family. Next came the sushi-sashimi combo. There were 9 pieces of sashimi beautifully presented on ice, plus 3 pieces of sushi and a spicy tuna roll. The sashimi was very fresh, tender, and flavorful, especially the tuna. Unfortunately, the spicy tuna roll was the weak point. It tasted dry, lacked flavor, and seemed to contain far more crunchy fillers than tuna. It reminded me of a meatball with too much breadcrumb and not enough meat. I'd rather have a smaller roll with better-quality fish than a larger one padded with fillers. The spicy tropical roll was also disappointing. It too seemed to contain more fillers than fish, and the sauce was a little too sweet. It didn't taste fish-forward enough for a "signature" roll. The flavors leaned more fusion than authentic Japanese. If ingredient cost is the issue, I'd gladly pay a few dollars more for a better fish-to-filler ratio. The stir-fried soba with "vegetables" was also disappointing. The noodles didn't taste like Japanese buckwheat soba, and the both the taste + presentation reminded me of instant ramen. The flavor was decent but nothing memorable, and there were only a few pieces of zucchini--nowhere near enough vegetables to justify the name of the dish. The service was good overall. Our server was very sweet and friendly but definitely could use more training. While we were both trying to read the single menu, she interrupted to take our order instead of asking if we needed another minute--or even better, bringing us a second menu. Not a huge issue, but not especially pro or polished. As we were finishing, we ordered a couple of takeout items for a family member. The server kindly offered to package our leftovers with the takeout, which was appreciated. However, when the bill arrived, 1 of the takeout dishes was missing. It took a while to get her attention, and when we did, she reprinted the check without explaining how much longer the forgotten item would take. She did swing back to say she'd ask the chef to expedite, but we still waited quite a while, making us late for a meeting. As for the takeout, the Valentine Roll was just ok, similar to the signature roll we had at lunch. We also ordered a tuna roll, yellowtail roll, and sweet potato roll. None were bad, but they lacked the flavor we expected. Whether it was the rice or the ingredients, they just didn't stand out. Overall, it was a nice lunch. The beautiful restaurant, fresh sashimi, generous salad, and excellent appetizer showed a lot of promise. Unfortunately, too many of the rolls relied on fillers instead of fish, the soba missed the mark, and there were a few service missteps. They're very close--just a handful of small, doable improvements could elevate the experience from okay to outstanding. I hope they do.