Food News

December 1, 2009

Cu29 Wine And Bistro Opens In Sayville

Cu29 Wine and Bistro opened its doors on the south shore of Long Island on November 17, 2009.

The new restaurant, named after the periodic table element of copper (Cu) and its atomic number (29), will open on the site of the former Collins & Main Restaurant. Owned by Manny Lakios, a Long Islander and Mt. Sinai resident who is an expert in semiconductors - and in which copper is core ingredient - Cu29 is set to warm the regional dining scene. Executive Chef Sean Blakeslee, known well to Long Islanders from Porters on the Lane, Crow's Nest and Mazzei's, presents an imaginative and international menu of eclectic cuisine. The focus is on "culinary elements" with touches from Europe, Asia and the Americas in dishes designed to share, savor solely or combine in a full dinner tasting.

All the Warmth of its Copper Namesake in Cu29 Bar & Bistro's Menu, Ambience and Service
On the periodic table of elements, Cu29 is copper (Cu) with atomic number (29). On the table at Cu29 Wine and Bistro are "culinary elements" in an international menu designed to share, savor solely or combine in a full dinner tasting.

The a la carte menu includes appetizers (soups, salads, flatbreads) $5 - $15; entrees or "main dining elements", $7 - $26; and desserts, $5 - $8. Dinner tastings present a value-added dining experience with satisfying four-course prix fixes (soup, salad, a main dining element and dessert, $29 - $35) that with beverage, tax and tip are designed to cost less than $50 per person or $100 per couple.

A warm ambience is signaled with a copper-clad bar, fine wooden finishes, metallic artwork and adjacent lounge with leather banquette seating. Across two dining rooms, peach- and tan-toned walls with copper decorations reflect a warm glow. Candlelit tables surround a baby grand piano with live music warming the mood. Through a double-set of interior French doors, a second dining room features large-scale and nostalgic sepia photographs of local Sayville circa 1890-1930.

At the front of the house, patrons will recognize the welcoming face of Jerry Marlow. His 34 years in Long Island's hospitality, catering and restaurant industry, including owning the former Collins & Main restaurant on the site of Cu29, has created a following of patrons with a reputation for superior service and high quality dining.

Executive Chef Sean Blakeslee Presents International Menu of Eclectic Cuisine Cu29 Wine and Bistro opening chef is Sean Blakeslee. A veteran of top Manhattan and Long Island restaurants garnering rave reviews, Blakeslee is also a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. Most recently, Blakeslee was the executive chef for Porters on the Lane in Bellport earning "Very Good" reviews from The New York Times and Newsday. Earlier he was executive chef at the Crow's Nest in Montauk and executive chef and part-owner at Mazzei's in Blue Point. Blakeslee joined Mazzei's from Wish Restaurant in Miami's South Beach where he worked on its opening with Chef Gary Robins. He first worked with Robins at Mi while donning the dual hats of sous chef and pastry chef. No stranger to celebrated Manhattan establishments, he was also sous chef at Arizona 206 and One If by Land Two If by Sea. Experienced in designing and executing a wide range of international cuisine, and local favorites like seafood that are so adored by Long Islanders, Blakeslee's menu at Cu29 is showcases his creativity.

Among Blakeslee's starters at Cu29 are a signature South Bay Bouillabaisse; and roasted-beet carpaccio with fried goat cheese and honey ginger vinaigrette. Samples of "chef's main dining elements", available a la carte and on a tasting menu are Hudson Valley foie gras with brioche French toast and apple hash with Grand Marnier syrup; cocoa-dusted braised short ribs and a vanilla bean butter poached lobster claw; and petite osso bucco with goat cheese polenta and citrus gremolata. Blakeslee's sweet touch comes through with creme brulee with pistachio biscotti; raspberry phyllo Napoleon with coconut lemon curd and Thai basil syrup; and classic profiteroles with ice cream, warm chocolate sauce and mixed berries.

Cu29 Wine and Bistro
100 South Main Street
Sayville, NY 11782
(631) 563-0805

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