Americana Kitchen & Bar opened in March 2012 by co-owners Rick and Gin Gusmano to bring American fare to Syosset, NY. The restaurant’s open floor plan features a large copper-topped U-shape bar at the front of the restaurant. Maroon leather booths outline the main dining room and the center of the room is filled with marble-topped tables. During the warmer months, guest may enjoy al fresco dining on the outdoor patio.
Comfort Food Classics
Executive Chef Helmer Velasquez has created a dinner menu comprised of American comfort food classics. Dinner is Tuesday through Sunday daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Starters are $7 to $13 and include: Key West crab cakes with spicy and garlic aioli; Baja fish tacos served with lime, sour cream and pico de gallo; and smoked chicken and cheese quesadilla. Salads are $12 and include: 516 seasonal salad with mixed greens, local vegetables, goat cheese, crisp pears and walnuts in a strawberry kiwi vinaigrette; roasted beets over mesculin greens with cherry tomatoes and gorgonzola cheese in a champagne vinaigrette; and Cape Cod with spinach, apples, walnuts, Craisins and gorgonzola or goat cheese. Entrees range from $18 to $28 and feature: Chilean sea bass served with garden vegetables and mango salsa; marinated skirt steak with Tuscan fries, sautéed mushrooms and salsa verde; and Gold Coast veal with white wine, lemon, capers and artichoke hearts served with choice of potatoes and vegetables or pasta. Desserts range from $6 to $8 and include simple American favorites such as, apple pie, brownies a la mode, chocolate cream pie, carrot cake and root beer floats. The restaurant also offers a take out special that feeds up to six people and includes eight pieces of BBQ or Southern fried chicken, a full rack of baby back ribs, three large sides and cornbread for $39.
Moderately Priced Soups, Sandwiches & Salads
The lunch menu is served Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features moderately priced soups, sandwiches and salads and includes a complimentary soft drink, half-priced tap beer or half-priced wine-by-the-glass. Soups are $6 to $7 and include: soup of the day; Celtic crockpot with cream of potato soup with fresh cabbage, corned beef and leeks topped with marble rye and Swiss gratin; and “Y’s it gotta be ‘French’ Onion?” with thick cut rye topped with cheese. Sandwiches range from $10 to $14 and feature: pulled pork hero with coleslaw and melted cheddar on a toasted hero; blackened tilapia on flatbread with corn salsa and cilantro lime aioli; and spicy ranch chicken wrap with pepper jack cheese and jalapeños. Salads are $12 and include: Retro salad with ham, turkey and cheese sliced over mixed greens with tomatoes and onions in a citrus vinaigrette; farmer’s market salad with arugula, spinach, spring greens and seasonal vegetables; and “call it a cobb” with mixed greens, tomatoes, diced turkey, ham, bacon, boiled egg, corn, avocado and gorgonzola or goat cheese. This menu is also offered from 2 to 5 p.m., but does not include a beverage at that time.
“Brunch Americana,” a themed musical brunch that changes weekly, is served every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes one complimentary Bloody Mary, mimosa or orange juice, home fries, toast, bacon and breakfast sausage for $15. The menu features traditional offerings such as: 516 Signature French toast stuffed with bananas, strawberries, and cream cheese served with maple syrup; “Americana” omelet with bacon, ham, turkey and American cheese; and 516 burger topped with American cheese and crispy bacon. A kid’s menu is available for $9.95 and features short stack of pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes, French toast, and eggs any style.
Late Night Snacks and Live Entertainment
A late night menu is also offered on Thursday until 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday. Dishes range from $7 to $11 and menu includes: wings with BBQ cherry cola, buffalo or Thai sauce; giant pretzel; classic calamari Kung Pao or Buffalo style; freak out fries with cheese, onions, bacon, sour cream and chives; “ToweRING Inferno” of onion rings with a splash of heat; and Baja fish tacos served with lime, sour cream and pico de gallo. Sing your heart out on Thursdays with karaoke beginning at 8:30 p.m. and ladies enjoy $5 specialty cocktails and wines-by-the-glass. Bands take the stage every Friday and Saturday beginning at 10 p.m. On Tuesday, draght beer, burgers and wings are all buy one get one free.
Inventive Cocktails, Intelligible Wine List, Local Brews
An extensive list of creative cocktails range in price from $8 to $10 and feature: the Americana with Hammer + Sickle vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple, orange and cranberry juices, Sprite and a dash of grenadine; acai mojito with VeeV acai spirit, fresh mint, lime, simple syrup and Sprite served in a mason jar; and Moscow mule with Russian Standard vodka, ginger beer and lime wedge served in a copper mug. Taking pride in its New York heritage and Long Island location, Americana Kitchen & Bar also serves a large selection of featured craft brews from Blue Point Toasted Lager to Brooklyn Pilsner and Coney Island Lager. The wine list is moderately priced with California wines making up the backbone of the list, as well as, other domestic and international selections. Happy hour is offered Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and features $5 “Bar-gains” with all draught beers (except Triple Horse), select wines for and select appetizers. Half-priced bottles of wine are offered for “Wine Down Wednesday.”
