Below is a sampling of restaurants offering something special for Easter brunch or dinner this Sunday, April 4. Space is still available. If you don’t already have reservations, hurry!

Prime
Brunch: Regular menu available plus something special.
Dinner: Regular menu available plus special Easter dinner menu, here.

Jonathan’s
Regular Dinner Menu & Easter Specials 3-9pm. Menu here.

Mac’s Steakhouse
Regular Brunch and Dinner menus plus Easter Specials, here.

Ruvo
Easter Dinner 1-6pm. Menu here.

Trattoria Grasso
Dinner starting at 2pm. Menu here.

Cinema Arts Centre, Thursday at 7:30pm

CAC Comments: Director Anat Baron takes you on a no holds barred exploration of the U.S. beer industry that ultimately reveals the truth behind the label of your favorite beer. Told from an insider’s perspective, the film goes behind the scenes of the daily battles and all out wars that dominate one of America’s favorite industries. Beer Wars begins as the corporate behemoths are being challenged by small, independent brewers who are shunning the status quo and creating innovative new beers. The story is told through 2 of these entrepreneurs – Sam and Rhonda – battling the might and tactics of Corporate America. We witness their struggle to achieve their American Dream in an industry dominated by powerful corporations unwilling to cede an inch. This contemporary David and Goliath story is ultimately about keeping your integrity (and your family’s home) in the face of temptation. Beer Wars is a revealing and entertaining journey that provides unexpected and surprising turns and promises to change the world’s opinion on those infamous 99 bottles of beer on the wall.

Stick around after the film for discussion and beer tasting.

Thursday, March 25
7:30pm
$9 Members / $13 Public

Restaurant Joanina has undergone quite a few transformations since it began as an Italian delicatessen almost 20 years ago. But through it all, the rustic Italian restaurant still delivers Old World charm right here in Huntington Village.

Its history reads something like a Venn diagram. After operating as a deli for about 6 years, Jim Oliva, the deli’s original founder, added the restaurant section. And that’s how Joanina was for 12 more years, until just over a year ago when it closed its deli department to concentrate on its restaurant and wine shop (which will be 2 years old in June).

Visit Restaurant Joanina and you’ll be transported. The walls and decor (designed by Jim Oliva) are remarkable yet warm; stuccoed and painted to make you feel as if you’ve stepped out into a Tuscan courtyard. Where the deli area once stood, there will soon be a second dining room reminiscent of the interior of a Tuscan farmhouse.

Highlights include the authentic wood-burning brick oven which cooks the pizza and a few of Joanina’s entrees, like the whole roasted striped bass or Mediterranean sea bass. And word around town is if you’re a Pollo Scarpariello fan, you must try Joanina’s.

Little Apple Net spoke with current owners Bobby Oliva (Jim’s son) and his wife Amy to get the scoop on what makes this Huntington gem such an enduring favorite around town:

LAN:  To what do you attribute your restaurant’s long lasting success?

Amy & Bobby:  A few things. First, we have many regulars – people who come in three or four times a week. They think of us almost as a home away from home. We also have those who come in for every holiday or special occasion. They consider Restaurant Joanina a “special” place. We strike a nice balance there.

LAN:  So you’d say you build good relationships with your customers?

Amy & Bobby:  Yes, very. The family is always here in some capacity. Donato, our maître d’, has been with us since the beginning. And his wife, Teresa has been here nearly as long. We make it a point to make our customers feel at home with us. We continue in Jim’s footsteps in that way.

Also a nice touch is the red rose every woman receives after her meal.

Does that happen in Italy?

35A Gerard Street
631-549-2727

Website & Menu

Today is the BIG Apple’s St. Patrick’s parade beginning at 11am and ending around 2 or 3pm. LIRR has added two extra trains for the trip back our way this afternoon: 2:09 and 2:26 to Huntington.

If you’re staying in town today, check out the following:

Meehan’s – Presenting corned beef & cabbage, irish stew, shepherd’s pie. Stop in for 7pm and 8pm Irish Step Dancing shows in the back!

Christopher’s Courtyard Cafe – Serving corned beef platters and will be giving away t-shirts tonight.

Finnegan’s – Offering corned beef & cabbage platters and sandwiches and shepherd’s pie

Also serving corned beef today: Nag’s Head, Shamrock Pub, Finley’s of Greene Street, F.H. Riley’s

If you’re cooking at home, try Wild by Nature’s Irish Soda Bread recipe!