Bob's Place Offers Exquisite Meals 

The Bountiful Gourmet doesn’t use the word, “exquisite” lightly, but it is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Bob’s Place in Floral Park. Opened in 2007, continuing a family restaurant tradition that goes back 75 years, Bob’s Place is a Long Island beacon in the Contemporary New American cuisine category.The place has been stylishly decorated, comfortable settings in rooms with very acceptable sound levels, excellent subdued, yet not dark lighting. A true top pick for a Valentine’s Day dinner.

Let us start from the beginning. French Onion Soup, made with sweet Vidalia onions, sherry and melted gruyere cheese is a sure winner at $7. Crispy Calamari lives up to its billing, perfect with its spicy mustard dipping sauce. Thai Duck Spring Roll with hoisin sauce is a mouth-watering dish, but the two knockouts are the Coconut and Macadamia Nut Crusted Shrimp (the grilled pineapple that came with it was bursting with juice and flavor) and the piece-de-resistance…Crabmeat Napoleon, made with blue fin crabmeat, avocado, sliced tomatoes, roasted peppers and toasted wontons. The blending of the ingredients is pure heaven.  It’s hard to leave the small plates category, an excellent meal tapas styles could be carved out of this section of the menu. But then, you would be missing out on some truly innovative cooking.

A brief tour…the grilled Marinated Skirt Steak was tender, the mashed potatoes, frizzled onions, vegetable medley and demi-glace was artfully prepared. A White Marble Farms Pork Chop with sweet potato pancake, Portobello crown and sesame orange ginger glaze was excellent, the pork chop very tender.  Our winner for the night however was the Roasted Garlic Crusted Lamb Rack. Just thinking about it and writing this has set the mouth watering. The spices, mixed with the perfectly  cooked lamb earns Bob’s the “Exquisite” ranking.

For dessert, we strongly recommend the molten lava chocolate cake, rich and perfect, or the apple strudel with cinnamon ice cream and hot apple cider. What could be more fitting for a cold February night?  Service at Bob’s Place is as on target as is the food. The servers, waiters, maitre d’ all work as a team, never rushing you, but still on top of the flow of your meal.  Upfront is a very comfortable bar, it was packed the night we were there, and it was filled with locals and players who mixed amicably.  Watching Bob, the owner, work the table, you understood why everything works so well. He knows his customers, greets them, stops to exchange a story without ever intruding. The group of six women next to use were there for several hours on a busy Friday night, but they were never rushed, on the contrary, they were almost encouraged to linger.  Bob’s accomplice in crime is Gabriel, who is there to suggest and explain the menu and its ingredients. He skillfully suggests just the right combinations. 

If you go to Bob’s Place, be sure to ask for a seat in the room with the fireplace, just the right place for a romantic evening in February.  Bob’s Place is perfect to experience Manhattan style in our own backyard. It is located at 230 Jericho Tpke, Floral Park.  As you can imagine, reservations are a must for the weekends and can be secured at 516-354-8185.