51.0°,
Partly Cloudy A seafood restaurant in Island Park, family owned since 1969
Lambrou’s Seafood Restaurant & Caterer
4073 Austin Blvd.
Island Park
(516) 889-3525
Escargot
Manhattan Clam Chowder
Vegetable Barley Soup
Chilean Sea Bass Oreganata
Captain’s Platter
Homemade Apple Cranberry Pie ala Mode
Any restaurant still thriving after more than 40 years must be doing something right. Such is the case with Lambrou’s, a definite landmark of Island Park. This is an establishment with history, founded by an owner who, back then, could already boast a wealth of experience.
Prior to purchasing (what originally was called) Meyer & Kronke in 1969, Peter Lambrou had cooked for the Grand Hotel in England, had mastered French cuisine in Quebec City, Canada, and had worked at Manhattan’s Tavern on the Green. His two sons, Nick and Andy, grew up with the restaurant. In 1982, they changed the name to Lambrou’s. Trained by his father, Andy is now chef, and Nick, the host and banquet manager.
Spacious and stately, Lambrou’s is both a restaurant and catering hall. There’s an enormous dining room, and a smaller one with a fireplace for the less busy nights. An elegant ballroom is available for parties of up to 200 people.
Cuisine maintains a true home-cooked style, as opposed to fancy sauces or presentations. We enjoyed fine, fresh quality, well-prepared American dishes. Since they specialize in seafood, our choices reflected that. But landlubbers will have no problem finding options, such as Long Island duckling, steaks, rack of lamb, chicken or veal parmigiana and more.
Warm crispy rolls were outstanding. Escargot, which we rarely see on menus these days, rivaled any I’ve tasted in fine French restaurants. Not a drop of its luscious garlic butter sauce went back to the kitchen.
Both soups — vegetable barley and Manhattan clam chowder — were respectively hearty, chock full of ingredients in flavorful broth. Salad was fresh with homemade dressing. Chilean sea bass, prepared Oreganata style, was moist and flaky, sided with a ramekin filled with potato and cheese (their version of stuffed potato).
Served with a baked sweet potato, Captain’s Platter will please any seafood lover. Grilled to perfection, with melted butter and tartar sauce on the side, were a lobster tail, several shrimp, scallops, baked clams and filet of sole. For dessert, apple cranberry pie was lighter than most, topped with phyllo pastry and served warm with vanilla ice cream.
All entrée prices — $17.95 to $38.95 — include a choice of soup, a salad, vegetable or potato, dessert and coffee or tea. Appetizers are $8.95 to $11.95. Children’s entrees are $8.95 to $11.95, and include a beverage and dessert. Dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday, from 3 to 10 p.m.
Upholding their 25-year tradition, Lambton’s hosts a gala New Year’s Eve Party. For $75 per person, they offer an open bar, buffet, full dinner, DJ, dancing and champagne toast.
