Long Island Food Critic

The Locust Valley Rotary Foundation hosted their annual A Taste Of Locust Valley on Thursday January 29^th 2009 at the Brookville Country Club. This event is a favorite among attendees for the wide array of wonderful culinary and beverage samplings. The proceeds from this fundraiser are used to support the many domestic, international and humanitarian efforts.

There are over 32,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. As signified by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world.

The Brass Rail (above) brought a dish of pepper seared tuna with guacamole atop a wonton crisp which was fresh composite of flavors and textures. Barney's Restaurant (below) served up a delicious creation of confit salad with Asian slaw and Ginger Vinaigrette.

The Wall's Wharf of Bayville was highly noted for this refreshing cylinder of sweet golden pineapple, avocado, and raw tuna in a teriyaki glaze (below left). The ladies of Chocolicious Chocolatier also brought something sweet to the table with these strawberries dipped in milk and dark chocolate (below right).

On 3 of Glen Head impressed everyone with their Angry Shrimp (below left) being fired up fresh in the pan right in front of you. Zane from Wild Harvest in Glen Cove definitely deserves praise for this hearty down home barbeque beef brisket with North Carolina vinegar slaw (below middle).

Allison's Amalfi Ristorante (above right) of Sea Cliff served a Sardinian Pasta called Malloreadus Bolognese along with authentic Caprino Formaggio (cheese from Sardinia).

The night was surely an impressive collection of culinary techniques and cultural delicacies brought together in support of an excellent cause. The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.