Matteos, Dee's and Theater Cafe

All in one weekend (and don't forget aged. on Friday).

I was obviously busy this weekend. aged. on Friday with Barbara, Matteos on Saturday(in Bellmore) with our very good friends Steve and Lori and their girls (Michelle and Alyssa) for Steve's 49th birthday! I venture to state that all the Matteos on Long Island are the same-food wise-so I guess you could go to one and feel as if you've been to all. The appetizers are great: baked clams (not as good as Don Peppe's on Lefferts, but nobodies are), fried calamari was super tender. Chopped salad was a bit weak (iceberg lettuce you know) and too many onions, and the artichoke was under cooked (we sent it back for more heat) and/or not ripe. The wine is $10 a glass for junk (that was totally unexpected), but the linguini with white clam sauce is nearly heaven.

We had 3 desserts and sang happy birthday to Steve. It was a great evening with friends!

But it wasn't over yet....afterwards Michael and I went to the Bad Moon Saloon in Merrick to see Todd Wolfe play. He's a great blues guitarist (from Forest Hills). Several friends were already there and we had a good time!

Sunday night (no-we didn't watch the Super bowl) we headed out to try Nick's Bistro on Metropolitan Avenue. We'd heard conflicting reviews and figured we'd try it ourselves, but they were having a private party and even though the kitchen was open, we decided this was not the night to check it out. We went to Dee's instead. Always a favorite with great service and brick oven pizza-I had olive delight and Michael had the lamb burger special with tzatziki and grilled veggies.

After dinner we met our very good friends Jill and Lenny for a drink at Theatre Cafe and then went to see The Blind Side movie (it was a well acted feel-good film) we all liked it and left happy (even better when the manager gave me a 4 ticket movie card to come back another time, because the screen was acting funky)!

It's Monday, back to cooking this week: Balsamic turkey burgers; chicken with rice and sausage with polenta.

Have a lovely week!