Harvest Buffet in Great Neck heaps on goodies

By J. Davis

This is a very popular place that boasts of the number of offerings of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian and American foods offered at the many counters and stations. It is a place where there is bound to be things that appeal to any appetite. The offerings are constantly being replaced or refilled.

You can start with a variety of hot soups. One interesting soup is a combination of egg drop with crab meat. The pungent hot & sour soup is a popular selection. If salads are your preference for a starter, you will find assorted greens, salad additions and dressings from which to build your own dish.

The raw bar features sashimi and there is sushi and hand rolls as well. Attractive dim sum-type hot items are available as are bowls of wasabi, slices of pickled ginger and soy sauce. If your taste runs to little bites, try the dumplings – some vegetable-stuffed (the classic shui mai) – or the beef or chicken satays (on a bamboo skewer).

Fish dishes are house specialties. At any given time, you may find razor clams, snails, boiled shrimp, sea bass with teriyaki sauce, sole with crabmeat stuffing or a baked scallop mini casserole topped with cheese. The tasty seafood fettuccine is another good choice. One of my favorites is the garlic-flavored seaweed salad.

The attentive attendants who bring you your beverages also are quick to clear the table. As you finish one plate, you can go and make your next selection.

If you prefer fowl, there are a number of assorted classics from which to choose. We found blackened chicken breasts, General Tso's chicken, Peking duck and chicken with broccoli.

If Korean cuisine is your choice, try the calamari or Korean pancakes as well as kim chi or the whole female caplin fish in salt and pepper.

Vegetarians will find many dishes from the excellent long Chinese green beans to sautéed button mushrooms and the classic Buddha's delight.

There are noodles in every form from cellophane to lo mein to Japanese udon; each treated differently. Also available is a large container of rice.

Since the 160-or-so offerings change daily and may vary from lunch to dinner, you may not find some of the aforementioned at any one time. But you will find an incredible edible array every time you visit.

Ask for chopsticks and have a go!

The Bottom Line

Outstanding number of dishes offered, always freshly prepared and adequately described in English. You can't go wrong with any dish selected so try all that you can eat. What you don't see today may be available tomorrow so come frequently and look for your favorites.