Dan's Papers -November 6, 2009

There are just a couple days left of Long Island Restaurant Week. More than 200 restaurants will offer their own $24.95 three-course prix fixes. East End eateries include: Amarelle, Bayview Inn & Restaurant, Blue Sky, Copa, Desmond's, Fresno, The Inn Spot, Jamesport Manor Inn, Legends, Matto, MUSE, Nick & Toni's, Oakland's, Oasis, Pierre's, Porto Bello, red/bar brasserie, Rugosa, Sea Grille at Gurney's, Seafood Barge, Stonewalls and Stone Creek Inn. Local restaurants have embraced the event, such as Legends in New Suffolk which opens early for dinner every day at 4 p.m., and will offer the prix fixe menu all night Saturday and during lunch on Sunday, November 8. For an up-to-date list of participants, visit www.longislandrestaurantweek.com.

Stonewalls Restaurant in Riverhead now hosts a "Chef's Table" every Thursday starting until November 19 (except November 5). The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. with an amuse bouche followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Chef Peuch will choose the menu each week to be paired with wines. Each dinner will include three or four courses. Cost is $45 per person including tax and gratuity. No credit cards are accepted for this promotion. Stonewalls will also host a five course Cahors Wine Dinner on Friday, November 13 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Menu items include duck rillettes, frisee salad, wild Pacific salmon genevoise, duck magret au poivre vert, medallion of venison Grand-Veneur. For reservations, call 631-506-0777 x4.

The Beacon in Sag Harbor is now open for dinner taking reservations for each Thursday (except Thanksgiving Day), Friday and Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. Sample menu items for November include: Duck confit with French lentils and apple compote ($15); Steak tartare with hand cut beef tenderloin, Dijon mustard, capers, anchovy, red onion and beacon potato chips ($17); and coq au vin with pancetta, button mushrooms, red onions and egg noodles ($29). For reservations, call 631-725-7088.

Jamesport Manor Inn in Jamesport will present a holiday cooking demonstration and tasting on Thursday, November 19 for $60 per person. The class will feature stylized South-of-the-Border holiday offerings paired with wine. Dishes include: Watercress, jicama, roasted beet, queso fresco and jalapeno citrus vinaigrette; Shrimp, nopales, potatoes, and mole rojo; and traditional Mexican hot chocolate and hot cider. Call 631-722-0500 for reservations.East Wind Caterers in Wading River prepares a traditional Thanksgiving feast to serve six to ten guests at home for $149 plus tax. Orders must be placed by Sunday, November 22. Dinner will be available, cooked and cold with reheating instructions, for pick up on Wednesday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or packed hot and ready to serve on Thursday, November 26 from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. The take-away package includes a 14-lb turkey roasted and carved, stuffing and mashed potatoes, 1-qt gravy and cranberry compote, Freshly baked apple, pecan or pumpkin pie, dinner rolls and choice of two sides dishes. To place an order, call 631-846-2335.

Nick & Toni's in East Hampton is offering a "Freedom of Choice" prix fixe every Sunday all night. Guests may choose three courses for $30 or four courses for $40. Sample items include: Garden cavalo nero salad, house-cured pancetta, butternut squash and Pecorino Romano; Hand-cut pappardelle, Autumn spiced pork ragu; Ligurian fish stew, black chick peas, local escarole and tomato; and braised boneless beef short rib, Anson Mills creamy polenta and pomegranate gremolata. Call 631-324-3550 for details.

Blue Sky Mediterranean Lounge in Sag Harbor introduces the new "Fireplace Lounge" featuring piano from Harrods in London. Wednesdays are DJ Night with DJ By Karolina at 9 p.m. Every other Thursday starting October 22, will feature Belly Dancing shows at 10 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Spanish guitars will take the stage on Friday at 9 p.m. and a jazz duo will perform on Saturdays at 9 p.m. "Sunday & Monday Sports Arena" also features an afternoon tapas menu and drink specials. Call 631-725-1810 for more information.

Almond in Bridgehampton offers a new five-course prix fixe every Saturday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for $35. The menu will change weekly. A sample menu includes: Citrus cured sardines with heirloom radishes, heart of palm and avocado; Chicken confit ravioli with corn, goat cheese and smoked tomato; Heritage pork belly with fresh lima beans, cranberry beans, white beans, braised greens and garlic confit; and chocolate pot de creeme. For more information, call 631-537-8885.