Long Island Restaurants

Spices

Exit Principessa, enter Spices. The old-fashioned Italian eatery is gone, replaced by a continental restaurant and bar. Which continent? More than one. You can pick penne alla vodka or jerk chicken, curry goat or cheeseburger, quesadilla or salmon teriyaki. Maybe all. It's a little United Nations, an all-purpose stop under chef Norval McKenzie. A lot of the food is fine; service, friendly if not always sharp; and the mood, very hospitable.

The gathering place also attracts regulars with a reggae band on Fridays, karaoke on Thursdays and R&B on Wednesdays. The music and the dining occur in a modestly appointed dining room that has been refreshed but not entirely updated.

THE BEST

"Sugar and spice" shrimp delivers a sweet-tart mouthful, with jumbos tinted via turmeric and spiked with garlic. "Mr. Chin Calamari" knows crunch, and has a gingery Jamaican-Chinese accent. And the tender jerk chicken wings alight moderately spiced. McKenzie's lump-meat crab cake, flecked with red pepper and scallion, arrives tastefully atop a sweet-corn riff on sauce rémoulade.

The "Ja-Mex" quesadilla goes inland from the Caribbean for a casual starter filled with jerk chicken, sour cream and melted cheese. The satisfying pear-and-Gorgonzola cheese salad includes mixed greens, walnuts, honey and a shallot vinaigrette. Oxtail with rice, peas and sauteed vegetables; and goat in a mild curry with rice and vegetables are Friday and Saturday specials, bony and flavorful.

"Spices feast" brings together broiled stuffed lobster; broiled scallops; shrimp, scampi-style; a crab cake and broiled tilapia. "Rote grutze," warm berries under the influence of Grand Marnier, balsamic vinegar and vanilla ice cream; and the individual, warm-center chocolate cake lead the desserts.

THE REST

The pan-fried red snapper is overdone; stuffed mushrooms, overorchestrated. Limp apple strudel, so-so rum-and-raisin cheesecake.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A refreshing, new start.

Reviewed by Peter M. Gianotti, 11/7/08.

Hours

Ambience

Cuisine

Major Credit Cards Accepted

Price Range

Rating

Service

Wheelchair Access