Restaurants in South Farmingdale

Flour drifts down through the air, the motes catching briefly in the light from the wood-fired oven. Inside, fontina, smoked mozzarella, and ricotta melt across the handcrafted crusts, forming warm tributaries of cheese. Nearby, chefs sprinkle fistfuls of broccoli rabe, prosciutto, cherry tomatoes, and eggplant onto fresh dough or stew san marzano tomatoes to craft a thick sauce the deep crimson color of a sports car that just discovered it left a hair curler in. The cooks look to traditional Neapolitan recipes and forge crusts from a simple combination of flour, yeast, water, and salt. In an effort to protect the environment, the staff at Red Tomato Pizza—from the same owners as Dortoni Bakery in Levittown and Messina Market in East Norwich—also serves hormone-free meat in the glow of gentle LED lights and uses recycled glassware.

Chefs at Prime Catch Seafood Bar & Lounge grill, roast, and broil a smattering of surf 'n' turf selections, serving them up in a lively, cozy dining room with festive, cinnamon-red walls and warm, glowing string lights. Swordfish, ahi tuna, and lobster headline the bill of seafood options, which arrive drizzled with savory sauces such as sambuca-infused dijonnaise and lemon-chardonnay cream. Turf-based dishes include the classic chicken parmesan and the 10-ounce filet mignon. A full bar proffers European draft beers and several signature martinis, and an extensive wine list includes tasting notes that make it easy to pair beverages with menu items and to cram for the wine quiz that's delivered with every dessert. Daytime patrons can nosh on lighter lunch fare⎯such as a surf ‘n’ turf wrap or fish and chips⎯on the outside patio during the summer months, or drop in on a Friday night for live music and karaoke.

The fresh fare at Berry Healthy Cafe helps keep taste buds happy and bodies in shape. Lean meats and veggies are the stars of the menu's toasty wraps and paninis, such as the Tuscany chicken and the Greek-a-licious—a bundle of chicken, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and Destiny's Child. Patrons can customize fresh chopped salads by first choosing a base of iceberg, romaine, or spinach, then mixing in five or more toppings that range from roast beef to herbivore-friendly chickpeas, artichokes, and olives. Low-fat smoothies include the Sunrise Sensation, which blends peaches, mango, and pineapple. Supplement-enhanced smoothies fortify muscles or immune systems with potent ingredients such as goji berries, açai, and whey or soy protein.

Much like the Venetian merchant himself, Marco Polo’s at The Viana Hotel infuses European traditions with customs and spices from the Far East. The eatery serves up Asian and Italian classics as well as fusion dishes such as the chicken française egg rolls, thai skirt steak pizza, and the chef’s specialty: grilled shrimp and prime rib served atop a bed of wasabi mashed potatoes.

Bobby Carmosino's first memories of cooking and eating are all tied to his mother, whose love of crafting food won competitions held by Macy's and Bloomingdale's. As head chef at Solé, he channels her influences into updated recipes such as the braciola—his father's favorite dish—a pork tenderloin wrapped around mozzarella, prosciutto, and spinach. The shrimp limoncello, one of his proudest creations, blends creamy risotto with tart citrus, demonstrating the fresh flavors that earned Solé's menu an overall rating of extraordinary from Zagat. Served in a comfortable, casual room with walls the color of buttercups, diners enjoy these made-from-scratch meals alongside fish specials so popular, many customers order them sight unseen, according to general manager Dennis Durdaller.

Brooklyn Square Pizza expertly rolls out Brooklyn-style square pizzas, adorning the doughy geometric shape in eclectic toppings such as barbecue chicken, eggplant, and broccoli. Chefs also craft round pizza crusts so shy toppings cannot hide in the corners, and fill plates with pasta and chicken recipes made fresh to order. For those who abhor utensils, the pizzeria offers handheld fare such as heroes, wraps, and fried calzones. Uncle Louie G italian ice or ice cream treats tongues to flavors such as lick me lemon, chocolate fudge brownie, and bubbly bubble gum. Brooklyn Square Pizza delivers its fare to patrons’ doorsteps and caters parties with pasta, chicken, veal, and shrimp dishes.