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Joanna Adduci is a Northport resident, |
| One of my favorite things about traveling outside the United States is the ability to leisurely dine. Three to four-course meals served over a few hours, a carafe of wine, outdoor setting – you really can’t go wrong. I recently visited Vinoco Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant and was transported back to meals enjoyed abroad in Portugal, Italy, and Hungary. Quaint, cozy and comfortable – this establishment leaves the details of their dishes to the imagination. Their motto: “Rather than offering individual starters and main courses, Vinoco serves dishes that are designed for sharing amongst friends. These dishes are brought to the table steadily and continuously throughout the meal.” Steadily and continually dining is the European way, and it’s nothing short of pure joy. We began our culinary expedition with the empanadas: buffalo chicken, spinach & feta, and mac & cheese. Served untraditionally pre-sliced and sauced – these were especially delicious. (And a deal, at 3/$12!) Pro-tip: They have a blackboard with empanada specials of the day, so make sure to check with your server before ordering. Next, we sampled the Balinese Fried Chicken Rolls (crispy spring rolls, fried chicken, and bacon infused with spicy peanut, coconut, cilantro & chili sauce topped with mango salsa & fresh cilantro). Savory, spicy, crispy… I would definitely order these again. Next up, the Duo Fried Chicken Banh Mi (Asian Buns) – Korean BBQ fried chicken with pickled onion, mango salsa, bang bang aioli, and shoestring sweet potato. We also couldn’t resist the Polynesian Drama (Kalua Pork Banh Mi): braised pork infused with smoky brown sugar, pineapple salsa, and crispy bacon, topped with piña colada homemade coleslaw. I love Asian buns and these were particularly full of flavor. As the meal progressed, we moved onto the Mediterranean Tacos (falafel stuffed with goat cheese & feta, topped with yellow creamy chili sauce, and pickled onion, served over a corn tortilla), Deconstructed Prosciutto Dates And Fig Flat Bread (figs wrapped with prosciutto, topped with melted provolone and bacon croutons, served over creamy drunken alfredo sauce with toasted flatbread, finished with a drizzle of fig glaze) and Fried Chicken Sushi, which was particularly memorable. For dessert, they offer empanadas, and rotating specials such as bacon cheesecake. But, trust me here: order the fried oreos. They're ooey, gooey and glorious in their chocolatey, fried goodness. Next time, we'll take some for the road. (Yes, they're that good and a steal at $5!) Each dish at Vinoco offers a distinctive flavor profile and tells a story of its own. The menu changes routinely but stays true to its style and vision. If you are someone who enjoys a leisurely meal, and adventurous dining, you should definitely visit Vinoco at 147 Mineola Blvd., Mineola. Perfect for date night, girl’s night or a solo outing after work. Also, be sure to check out their other location, Vinoco East at 223 Main Street in Farmingdale. |
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