Back in Rockville Centre, Long Island this past weekend. This time to Aperitif, a French Bistro & Wine/Tapas Bar right on Sunrise Highway. I really enjoyed my meal at Cassis a couple of weeks ago (see the review), so I decided to try another French restaurant here on Long Island. Aperitif delivered the culinary “goods” in the same fashion, with the addition of a tapas menu. I love tapas because of the ability to sample and share a broader assortment of smaller dishes.
It’s tough to have much curbside appeal when you’re on a very busy thoroughfare like Sunrise Highway, but the facade of Aperitif does stand out with it’s clean and bold appearance. Large red awnings, wood trimmed doors and windows and Euro style lighting round out the exterior. The interior is beautifully French with rich wood and great lighting. It’s easy to get comfortable from the moment you get to your table. Very nice. You can see Aperitif’s decor at their website’s gallery from the link provided below.
Aperitif, by definition, is actually an alcoholic beverage taken before a meal to enhance the appetite. OK……Well, quite honestly, I don’t need anything to kick start my appetite, so I’ll have a nice glass of Languedoc Pinot Noir from France, thank you. A delicious pale colored red that had a nice balance of fruity sweetness with a slight acidity and smooth finish, that really paired nicely with the rich flavors of the tapas dishes we were about to enjoy, so on to the feast…
We started with some hummus and grilled calamari salad, as well as the grilled octopus. I really enjoyed the hummus and calamari which was served with warm flatbread, but the grilled octopus was pure love! So rich and tender, with just the perfect blend of complimentary flavors. The tangy bite of tomatoes coupled with the sweetness of red onions, and the texture of the chick peas really made this dish a clear winner for me. I’ve never had octopus that was this tender until now. Outstanding!
The next round of dishes were a butternut squash gnocchi and butter poached lobster over sweet corn pudding. The gnocchi were served with a sage brown butter sauce and were very good. The sauce had a bit of an herby flavor, but the butter added a richness that off set the sage really well. I love the texture of a well made gnocchi, which is very satisfying to the palate, especially when paired with the right sauce. Nicely done.
Butter poached lobster over sweet corn pudding…..Well, what can I say? If you’re a lobster fan, there’s absolutely nothing bad that can come of butter poached lobster, in my opinion! The sweet corn pudding was to die for and could have stood on it’s own as a great tapas dish even without the lobster. Served in a tomato brandy sauce, the flavor was perfectly sweet and savory and combined with the lobster…..Well…..You get the idea. This dish along with the grilled octopus were my absolute favorites of the evening!
If you are looking to try some good French cuisine and wine, be sure to check out Aperitif. Their food and wine is excellent, service is solid and the decor has a beautifully classic French/Euro flair. Definitely recommended for either a romantic evening with your love, or with couples to enjoy a night out and sample the various flavors of France.
May your journeys bring you great joy and enlightenment
Dave
Aperitif Bistro – Lounge – Bar
242 Sunrise Highway
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Phone : 516-594-3404