Long Island's Bistro Etcetera Includes A Multi-Cultural Menu

James Williams Wednesday, January 16, 2013

One of the recent places that I have found the time to enjoy is the eclectic and widely varied menu of Bistro Etcetera. This great little place is right on Main Street in Port Washington. Taking a first look at the menu can seem a little bit overwhelming with the wide array of cultural offerings, but it is soon very clearly evident that chef and owner, Karen Melanie LaRocco, clearly knows what she is doing.

This is not the first restaurant that Ms. LaRocco has opened. Ms. LaRocco opened Melanie’s Bistro in Farmingdale in 1999 and ran it until the end of 2004. She then operated an inn in New Hampshire for seven years before returning to Long Island. And I am very glad she made this decision.

Regarding her cooking style, the owner and chef would say that her cooking techniques lean heavily toward the French, but the menu has been created from a myriad of different ethnic cultures. It includes a Turkish mezze plate, a pulled-pork quesadilla, cavatelli with Bolognese sauce, and a salmon fillet in a ginger-sesame butter with bok choy. All very good too I might add.

The decor of the bistro is also something that adds to the overall experience of being there. It is more than just sampling different items on the menu, it is being in a place that surrounds you with warmth and comfort. However, it is also as eclectic as the menu. There are wood floors and dark wood wainscoting, contemporary track lighting and a wall of mirrors. The other walls are dotted with a giant wooden spoon and fork, a cutout of an oversize cupcake and cup of coffee, and a scattershot assembly of the owner’s favorite prints, paintings and photographs.

The meals are really very good, and depending on your mood, you can travel the world at just one place. My night at the Bistro Etcetera was enjoyable enough by starting out with the roasted butternut squash and apple soup garnished with frizzled leeks and a curry oil drizzle. Then I moved on to the entree of cavatelli in a hearty beef and pork Bolognese sauce topped with a dollop of fresh ricotta. I wanted to try the dessert, but was too full to try it. Maybe next time.

If you are looking for a great place to go out, and are close to Port Washington, give Bistro Etcetera a try.

jamesw@longislandyellowpages.com

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