Great Neck has one of Long Island's most vital boutique shopping districts. This year, instead of relying on the local mall, get an old-fashioned "Main Street" experience when shopping for Hanukkah and Christmas gifts. (Some of the shops have luxurious gift wrapping.) Best of all, these shops are situated alongside a wealth of good restaurants - not an Auntie Anne's pretzel in sight.
Along Middle Neck Road
Ethos, 25 Middle Neck Rd.; 516-305-4958. This elegant new Greek restaurant specializes in grilled seafood.
Kensington Deli, 27A Middle Neck Rd.; 516-487-2410. There's not much more to this friendly store than a long counter, a row of cramped booths and very good corned beef, pastrami, tongue, brisket, etc.
Bruce's, 34 Middle Neck Road; 516-829-2253. A Great Neck institution with a huge menu that can satisfy any yen, be it for burgers, pasta primavera or matzoh brie.
Gino's Pizzeria, 60 Middle Neck Rd.; 516-487-1122. A neighborhood favorite for pizza and Italian-American specialties.
Cafe Classico, 76 Middle Neck Rd.; 516-829-8008. The Italian cuisine is satisfying, the Italianate surroundings are attractive, and the staff is unfailingly friendly.
Daruma of Tokyo, 95 Middle Neck Rd.; 516-466-4180. Emily Hughes and her family were eating dinner at this popular Japanese restaurant when she got the call informing her she had a slot on the 2006 Winter Olympics team. Good, well-priced sushi and other Japanese fare.
Natali's Place, 113 Middle Neck Rd.; 516-482-5526. A popular kosher Italian restaurant.
Pancho's Border Grill, 10 Grace Ave.; 516-829-5305. Just off Middle Neck Road, this Tex-Mex-barbecue restaurant is particularly welcoming to kids.
Around the train station
La Gioconda, 21 N. Station Plaza; 516-466-2004. A long-standing favorite for Italian cuisine, especially seafood dishes.
Turquoise Seafood Restaurant, 33 N. Station Plaza; 516- 487-3737. Pan-Mediterranean restaurant that does particularly well with grilled fish.
Hinata, 6 Bond St.; 516-829- 3811. Well-regarded sushi, sashimi and other Japanese specialties.
Elaine's Asian Bistro & Grill, 8 Bond St.; 516-829-8883. Pan-Asian cuisine in an urban-chic setting.
La Rotonda, 8 Bond St.; 516- 466-9596. A good spot for Italian fare, especially the excellent, crisp-crusted brick-oven pizza.
Tulip, 4 Welwyn Rd., 516- 487-1070. A comfortable restaurant serving well-executed Turkish dishes.
Around the Waldbaum's shopping center
Santorini My Love, 37 Great Neck Rd., 516-829-4877. A friendly, casual establishment that specializes in grilled seafood. Excellent grilled calamari.
Cosi, 44 Great Neck Rd.; 516-466-1120. The popular chain makes sandwiches with just-baked flatbread.
Wild Ginger, 48 Great Neck Rd.; 516-487-8288. A bustling temple to bold pan-Asian cooking.
Mario's Pizzeria, 43 Great Neck Rd., 516-466-7722. For pizza and other Italian-American specialties.
