Michael Anthony's Food Bar 2925 North Wading River Road Wading River, NY (631) 929-8800 www.MichaelAnthonysRestaurant.com

Michael Anthony’s Food Bar, located at the former Two X Four in Wading River, opened in March 2006. Executive chef Michael Anthony Toscano and his wife Karen Toscano own the restaurant. The evolving menu reflects his mastery as a chef. Chef Toscano is very enthusiastic about food and enjoys experimenting with new dishes. He brings that passion to the restaurant’s weekly Sunday cooking classes.

Patrons are greeted in the bar area by a friendly hostess in a warm and cozy atmosphere that includes a wood burning stove. Michael Anthony’s wife Karen completely redecorated the interior with welcoming Tucsan accents and extended the dining room to accommodate 75 diners. An exterior patio (seasonal) seats 30 additional diners. Tables are adorned with white linen tablecloths and striking blue glassware. Meals are presented on an eclectic assortment of plates.

Appetizers range from $7 to $15 and include: risotto croquettes with Taleggio cheese and red onion jam; grilled prawn martini with horseradish mustard dressing; and skewered trio of Asian beef, sesame chicken and Thai shrimp. Salads range from $6 to $8 and include: baby green salad with Brie, dried cherries, almonds in a Champagne vinaigrette; spinach salad with rendered bacon, red onion confit and Taleggio cheese; and the salad of Karen with gorgonzola cheese, caramelized pears and crisp walnuts. Entrées range in price from $12 to $20 and include: veal ravioli, handmade slow cooked in a nutmeg infused tomato cream; farfalle pasta, tossed with mascarpone cheese, raisins, pine nuts and radicchio; seafood crepe in a béchamel sauce with basil pesto; porterhouse pork chop with dried cherries, pickled cabbage and a port wine reduction; herbed-crusted ocean perch mounted on a cassoulet of white bean and leeks; sliced hanger steak in a rich demi glaze with mushrooms, chives, mustard over toasted baguette; and Mediterranean fish stew, aromatic tomato broth, black pepper crostini.

Michael Anthony’s Food Bar is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 11 p.m., and is closed on Tuesdays.