BEST GREEK RESTAURANT
When the mood for Mediterranean cuisine strikes, there is no better place to satisfy that urge than Neraki Greek Mediterranean Grill in downtown Huntington. They take special care to present the delicacies that call your name, like feta-filled Greek salad with chicken, homemade pastichio and moussaka. And don’t you dare leave without sampling some grilled octopus. Neraki Greek Mediterranean, 273 Main St., Huntington, 631-385-3474, Neraki.com
BEST CHEF
Long Island’s favorite chef is Maliblue Oyster Bar’s Chris Seidl, the mastermind of Maliblue’s delicious lobster mac and cheese and grilled shrimp tacos. Chef Seidl’s creations feed the lively crowd at this popular Lido Beach hangout just steps from the sand. You’ll thank him when you try the crab cakes and applaud his selection of shellfish from Maliblue’s excellent raw bar. Chef Chris Seidl, Maliblue Oyster Bar, 1500 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach, 516-442-2799, maliblueoysterbar.com
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
If you want to dine at the Best Seafood Restaurant on Long Island, set sail for Anchor Down Seafood Bar and Grill in Merrick. Getting this distinction is a great catch for owner and Executive Chef Stephen Rosenbluth. Customers are hooked on the oyster selection, the mussels in Thai coconut curry, and the fried calamari and shrimp sautéed in hot peppers, basil and marinara sauce. Anchor Down Bar and Grill, 1960 Bayberry Ave., Merrick, 516-544-4334, anchordownny.com
BEST FRENCH RESTAURANT
Savor this place, mes amis! With ties to its sister Sage Bistro in Bellmore, this Oceanside venue has won acclaim for serving the finest and freshest French cuisine imaginable in a comfortably cozy, upscale environment replete with lots of dark wood, striped brocade banquettes and an inviting ambiance. The octopus salad is a special treat, the steak frites never disappoint, and the dark chocolate mousse is divine. Brasserie Persil, 2825 Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, 516-992-1742, persilrestaurant.com
BEST FISH MARKET
Having opened in 1978, The Fish Store, a family-owned business, goes above and beyond to ensure that its customers get the freshest fish. This includes shrimp, wild salmon, cod, mussels, squid, oysters, lobster tails and more. Stay a while, as The Fish Store has also opened a restaurant, allowing customers to enjoy both great seafood and great company! The Fish Store, 836 Montauk Hwy., Bayport, 631-472-3018, thefishstoreonline.com
BEST MEXICAN AND LATIN CUISINE
Maria’s Mexican and Latin Cuisine is the place to go for a divinely delicious dining experience that has consistently helped it secure the top spot in this coveted category. Yes, Maria’s has been recognized as the Best Latin American Restaurant on Long Island yet again! From terrific tapas to great guacamole, Maria’s makes meals magical as it goes beyond normal expectations to treat customers to something truly special. Maria’s Mexican and Latin Cuisine, 211 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset, 631-979-7724, marias211.com
BEST ROMANTIC DINNER, MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT
As that discriminating taste-setter Virginia Woolf once put it: “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” A romantic evening fills the senses when you celebrate it with someone special as you savor a lovely meal together. And where else should a couple contemplate their precious moments as a twosome than at Sufiya’s Grill in East Meadow. Sufiya’s Grill, 2320 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow, 516-644-2200, sufiyasgrill.com
BEST CAJUN, SOUL/SOUTHERN FOOD, TEX-MEX, MEXICAN, BEST RESTAURANT AND BEST WAIT SERVICE
The competition could not be hotter, but R.S. Jones has come out on top as the Best Restaurant on Long Island. Perhaps it’s the exceptional cuisine. Among other absolutely delicious specialties, R.S. Jones serves up electrifying dishes that include gumbo, chili, fried pickles, alligator wontons, nachos, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy! Then there’s the absolutely amazing vibe: Food aficionados and music lovers alike frequently call R.S. Jones home. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and always willing to please, too! R.S. Jones, 153 Merrick Ave., Merrick, 516-378-7177, rsjones.com
To find all the other 2018 Bethpage Best of Long Island contest winners in food and drink and other categories, visit bestoflongisland.com Vote for your favorite businesses and people in the 2019 Best of Long Island program beginning Oct. 1.
