George Martin is a much-respected landmark known for its fine restaurants on Long Island. Their newest edition is in Douglaston.
Taking the space of a former pub near the Douglaston LIRR station, with a parking lot across the street the newly-designed restaurant is an eclectic mix of wood, stylish artwork and subdued lighting. French doors open onto the sidewalk giving a real Manhattan feel to the place.
The long classic mahogany bar was hopping the night we were there. The front rooms offer many booths and candlelit tables. We were led by the friendly hostess to the rear where we passed a narrow dining space with large colorful paintings. In the back room, fabric draperies flow from the ceiling, adding a calming effect to the d/cor.
I felt mellowness come over me and it was certainly quieter than the front rooms.
The tables are well spaced so I did not feel that I was distracted by other patrons’ conversations. The owners created a certain drama when they back lit the rear wall and added a bamboo fence and lighting on what was a stonewall.
Our courteous waitress explained that the chef had prepared a tasting menu so we could sample a wide variety of dishes. Our dining companions Claire and Mel Shulman helped share the six courses.
We began with a rich tomato soup garnished with Mascarpone cheese. Each of us finished our sizable bowls of soup and then used the crusty bread on the table to dab at the last drops of the soup!
Our second course was fresh mozzarella and a seared tuna with a crunchy sesame topping with a Thai peanut sauce and sushi garnish.
Each course was served with an accompanying wine selected from the restaurant’s cellar.
Our third course was a watermelon salad that was surprisingly refreshing when mixed with greens and walnuts. It was an unusual blending of flavors and very tasty. We also shared the house chopped salad with avocados plated in a perfect circle.
Our fourth course was a perfectly-cooked cedar plank wild king salmon filet - juicy and flavorful and prepared to my medium rare request. We also had halibut served on a bed of string beans.
We were delighted with the fifth course - a tender tasty USDA prime NY Sirloin and a butter soft Filet Mignon served on a bed of creamed leeks and garlic mashed potatoes.
Added to the tasting menu we sampled some of the side dishes available. The cinnamon dusted sweet potatoes fries were outrageous! If you go just for drinks order them. If you go in for dinner they are a “must order”!
Of course, no meal is complete without dessert. Our sixth course did not disappoint me. The sorbet trio was colorful and tasty but their signature dessert, a Brownie Sundae, was outstanding. A soft warm brownie topped with ice cream, chocolate syrup and whipped cream - need I say more?
We ended our meal with a ’97 Portuguese port wine. A perfect ending to a perfect meal. Try it - you’ll love it!
GEORGE MARTIN
42-15 235th Street (off Douglaston Pkwy.)
Douglaston, NY 11363
PHONE: 718-224-2898
HOURS: Sunday - Thursday from 5 until 10 p.m.
Friday and Saturday from 5 until 11 p.m.
Reservations by phone or at www.opentable.com
Walk-ins welcome - parties to 150 (weekdays)
Master, Visa, American Express
Free local delivery (2-mile radius)
Meter parking until 7 p.m.
Reduced rate parking in lot.
LIRR Port Washington line to Douglaston
Q12 bus to Douglaston Parkway
$22 3-course prix fixe dinner Mondays
Live Blues/Jazz every Friday and Saturday
