If you're shopping at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove, you can combine retail therapy with culinary adventure. Along with an upgraded assortment of stores, you'll find a good variety of lunch and dinner spots, both within the mall and nearby. In addition to the restaurants listed below, there's also a TGI Friday's and a Ruby Tuesday on-site, as well as an Applebee's, a Houlihan's and an IHOP a short distance away.
Ben's Deli, Middle Country Road side of mall, off the food court, 631-724-3000. The craving for pastrami on rye can hit suddenly, which is why this in-mall kosher deli is so convenient. Those pressed for time can order at the takeout counter and find a table in the food court, while more leisured shoppers can get served in the colorful dining room. The menu covers everything from a corned beef sandwich to a roasted chicken to a Caesar salad.
California Pizza Kitchen, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove, 631-382-9610. This upbeat chain is part of a snazzy new outdoor plaza abutting the mall. Imaginative pizzas range from Jamaican jerk chicken to barbecued chicken to wild mushroom to carne asada. There are soups, pastas, salads and entrees, too. In fine weather, you can dine alfresco.
Cheesecake Factory, 610 Smith Haven Mall, Space P-10, Lake Grove, 631-361-6600. Also in the new outdoor plaza is this popular and palatial chain restaurant with a something-for-everyone menu that maximizes fresh ingredients. Highlights include the sprightly Vietnamese shrimp summer rolls, "roadside sliders" (mini-burgers), gargantuan salads and, at Sunday brunch, ambrosial brioche French toast. Weather permitting, dine outdoors within view of a fountain.
Empire Szechuan Gourmet, 769 Middle Country Rd., St. James, 631-265-8585. A short drive from the mall is this Chinese-Japanese spot with some Thai dishes. Here, you'll find big bowl noodle soups (ideal on wintry days) as well as reasonably priced sushi rolls. You can also get such Chinese classics as moo shu pork, Hunan beef and General Tso's chicken.
The Good Steer, 2810 Middle Country Rd., Lake Grove, 631-585-8212. There's surprisingly fine house-smoked barbecue at this 50-year-old stalwart, which also serves smoky, juicy burgers. The menu lists interesting salads, and such all-American specialties as Southern fried chicken, lobster roll and creamy rice pudding.
John Harvard's Brew House, 2093 Smithhaven Plaza, Lake Grove, 631-979- 2739. At this lively brew pub just outside the mall, you can observe the beer-making process while chowing down on pub standards -- Buffalo wings, fish and chips, grilled meat loaf and, of course, a classic burger. Finish with butterscotch bread pudding or apple crisp.
Zan's Kosher Delicatessen Restaurant & Caterer, 135 Alexander Avenue, Lake Grove, 877- 367-9267. Situated in a parking lot next to the mall, this recently remodeled deli serves such kosher classics as chicken soup with matzo balls, hot pastrami sandwiches, chopped liver, tongue and chicken fricassee. For dessert, there's rugelach.
