Table for Two

Featuring fantastic Sunday brunch

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Hemingway’s American Bar & Grill
1885 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh
(516) 781-2700, www.hemingwaysgrill.com

If you’re looking for a cozy spot to relax with brunch on a Sunday, Hemingway’s has plenty to offer. A section of this multi-level bar and grill is transformed into a lavish hot and cold buffet, complete with an omelet and waffle station and fixings galore. Hemingway’s, designed after a woodsy 1940s hunting lodge, has graced the same location since 1994.

For $27.95 you can choose what you’d like, and dine for an hour and a half from the time you are seated. Non-alcoholic beverages (juice, soda, coffee, tea) are unlimited and included. Brunch cocktails – Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Sangria – are $5 each. Children ages three to ten can enjoy the brunch for $16.95. On the December Sunday we visited, Hemingway’s was holiday festive, featuring a lively “Lunch with Santa,” on the upper level.
Trays and chafing dishes were lined up near the bar - cereals, muffins, bagels, homemade salads, platters of fruit, cheese and cold cuts, and peel-and-eat shrimp. Moving on were hot breakfast choices – French toast, pancakes rolled up with blueberries inside with warm maple syrup, home fries, and my personal favorite, Eggs Benedict with creamy hollandaise sauce on the side, plus crisp bacon and breakfast sausage. If looking for lunch, go with Rigatoni ala Vodka, Stuffed Shells, Tilapia Oreganata, Chicken with Country Gravy and Meatballs. Before indulging in dessert, don’t miss the omelet station, and the waffles hot and crisp off the iron. Among the desserts were NY Cheesecake, Brownies, Apple Crisp and Chocolate Mousse Parfait. Servers were accommodating and friendly. Buffet choices are changed periodically.
As a bar and grill, Hemingway’s has full lunch and dinner fare. From the dinner menu, appetizers range from $8.95 for Brie Stuffed Pretzel to $14.95 for Chicken Quesadilla. Soups, salads, burgers and sandwiches are $7.95 to $18.95. Entrees run from $18.95 to $32.95 for NY Strip Steak with haricot verts and garlic smashed potatoes. The children’s menu includes a kid-friendly entrée, beverage and ice cream for $12.95.
Monday is Burger & Beer Night (one free beer with any burger). Taco & Tequila Night is on Tuesday, and Steak Night on Wednesday means a three-course prix fixe meal and $10 off on any bottle of wine. Ladies Night on Thursday has live entertainment, and on Friday at Happy Hour, there are complementary appetizers.
Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday Brunch is 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are suggested. Catering is available for up to 150 guests, or to 100, on the upper level.

Recommendations:
■ Muffins
■ Tomato/Mozzarella Salad
■ Peel & Eat Shrimp
■ Eggs Benedict with Bacon & Sausage
■ Cheese Crepes
■ Blueberry Pancakes mine
■ Omelet with Spinach, Bacon,
Mushrooms and Cheddar Home Fries
■ Chicken with Country Gravy
■ Tilapia Oreganata
■ Stuffed Shells
■ NY Cheesecake
■ Chocolate Mouse Parfait