It’s restaurant week in Riverhead!
The Riverhead Anti-Bias Task Force and the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to sponsor a week-long culinary celebration, Food Unites Restaurant Week, showcasing the diverse flavors of Downtown Riverhead. Task force executive director Mark “MK” McLaughlin says the festival aims to highlight the “kaleidoscope of culinary experiences” the town has to offer, from Italian and Polish to Caribbean, Cajun, Japanese and Latin.
“We all know that food unites,” he says. “On holidays like Thanksgiving, it brings family from all over town or around the world to celebrate as one. So we figured, ‘Hey, let’s make it a week-long experience.’”
Riverhead Chamber president Liz O’Shaughnessy said that county grant money obtained with the help of County Legislator Catherine Stark’s office will cover the costs of providing entertainment at the various eateries.
Check out the Jamaican restaurant Shampaige Island (307 E Main St.), where you can groove to Caribbean tunes while watching dominoes tournaments all week.
“Dominoes is very big in Jamaica, and they’re bringing that whole experience where people can listen to reggae music and see people play dominoes and enjoy their great food,” McLaughlin says.
Myles on Main (428 E Main St.), nestled in the Preston Hotel, will be serving up mouthwatering Japanese specials throughout restaurant week.
Don’t miss the Jazz Brunch at Bistro 72 (1830 W Main St.) on Sunday, Sept. 29,, featuring live music to keep the festive vibes flowing.
If you’re looking for a little New Orleans flair, the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts & Hospitality Center (20 E Main St.) is transforming into Mardi Gras central from Tuesday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 26, complete with chicken and sausage gumbo, Mardi Gras cupcakes and a selfie station decked out in true NOLA style.
“They’re going all out,” O’Shaughnessy says. “I just dropped off some Mardi Gras beads.”
Over at Barilla Pastaria Ristorante (300 E Main St.), guests can enjoy authentic Sicilian dishes, free happy hour antipasti, and sip on their specialty cocktail, “The Prickly Sicilian” on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
“Some of the restaurants that aren’t necessarily specific to a type of food are just kind of getting creative with it,” O‘Shaughnessy says. “North Fork Chocolate & Eatery [309 E Main St.] is going to do some Middle Eastern specials throughout the week, and they’ll have music too.”
The chocolatier is also offering 10% discounts to anyone who mentions the Food United festival.
“I’m excited,” O’Shaughnessy says. “This is our first year, and it’s been evolving a bit, but I definitely see this as being an annual thing. There’s a lot of room to grow.”
Detailed information about the participating eateries can be found on the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce website.
