Taverna 38
“We are so lucky that she has come to Long Island and that Xarello has become a part of the Willistons' community.”
“Claudio and John make sure that everything is running smoothly.”
“Got plenty of dishes on the house such as their rabbit risotto and this was sooooo good.”
Taverna 38
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$$ Price range $31-60
3 reviews
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THIS REVIEW RELATES TO XARELLO, THE FORMER OCCUPANT OF THIS SPACE. IT HAS NO RELEVANCE WITH REGARD TO THE MERITS OF THIS RESTAURANT.
High expectations are an awful burden. As a former over-privileged and under-competent recent former American president once observed, it is far,far better to be "misunderestimated".
I chose Xarello for my Meetup group based upon the reviews here and I and eleven others dined here on Sunday, 2/21. As a tip, parking can be tough to find on Hillside Avenue in Williston Park. Nassau Boulevard is almost directly perpendicular to this restaurant. If you are heading west on Hillside Avenue, make a left turn and you will find a public parking lot.
Xarello has a pleasant decor. It is very suitable for large groups. The restaurant seated our group in a large area across from the bar. Tables are not situated too closely and it was easy to converse.
Upon arrival, I ordered a Vodka Martini. It was strong and tasty.Our group was seated and orders were taken. Our appetizers and entrees arrived on a timely basis. Except for a lapse in service prior to our dessert order when we could not find the waiter, service was excellent.
Among the dishes ordered were Crab Cakes, the Greek Burger & Fries, Scallops, Grilled Octopus, Duck, Skirt Steak, Strip Steak, Cauliflower Soup, Lamb Shank, Pork Chop, Scallops and Paella.The Burger and Duck drew some good comments but they, and the other dishes, did not stand out in any regard.My Cauliflower Soup was underseasoned and tasted diluted. My tongue searched in vain for rich cauliflower flavor. My Strip Steak, was mediocre and uninspired.Though cooked medium rare as I requested, it lacked a crisp crust, which a first rate steak requires. It failed the "Me Test", which means that I could easily cook a better steak at home. One diner said that the Lamb Shank had an unpleasantly sweet sauce. Another stated that her Pork Chop was overcooked.
I cannot fail to mention that the restaurant was very generous to our group, providing multiple dishes of complimentary vegetables and a free order of Greek Cheese Cake for our group to sample.With regard to dessert, I enjoyed my Homemade Ice Cream. With the exception of the Olive Oil Cake, the other desserts did not provoke favorable comments.
Since this restaurant is pretty new, I wish the owners well since they were nice to our group. In this regard, since this review tends to diverge from the majority opinion, I urge anyone reading this to take those other opinions into account, try Xarello and form your own opinion.
Discovered this gem in lovely Williston Park with a group of friends. Conveniently located on Hillside Avenue off of Jericho Turnpike, this well appointed Mediterranean restaurant ranks as one of the best meals you can have in New York. You will immediately notice the attention to detail and well choreographed staff, making you think you were in a seasoned institution who has your name on a VIP list rather than at a newly opened restaurant, only 2 months old. It was my first visit but I felt I had been there a dozen times by the way they greeted and took care of our group and me.
For an amuse-bouche the table was presented with long white plates of delicately split marinated radishes which were surprisingly mild and delectable and fun to eat as everything was edible including the stem and leaf! It was an unpretentious nod to the simple yet sophisticated meal that was to follow.
When I informed them of my lactose intolerance, Chef Katia Ramirez made me a special starter of homemade fettuccini with mussels which was completely dairy free but you would not believe it did not have any cream or butter when you devoured it as I did. I was impressed with her use of puréed vegetables that gave this pasta its creamy mouthfeel and so were the others who didn't even have lactose intolerance who all quickly wanted to try it as well.
The other starters, lamb meat balls, hummus with caponata, freshly baked pita bread and especially the grilled octopus confirmed Xarello is going to be a serious contender in the New York (not just Long Island's) culinary scene.
My brick hen was moist and savory with a thin crispy layer of skin over an smple serving of canelloni beans was just as I expected and wanted.
I lusted over the lamb though, after I had a taste of the most luscious braised lamb shank I've ever had. I know I will come back and order a whole one for myself next time! Truth be told, the bite of someone's Persian spiced skirt steak also left me wanting more! Bravo to the meat meister who brought out my inner carnivore with these 3.
From what I can see my dining companions seemed equally delighted with their sea bass, shrimp and P.E.I. mussels.
The menu is well thought out exhibiting the best executions of meat, fish and seafood. The spices and herbs in all the Mediterranean dishes perfectly enhanced and did not overpower showing the experience and intelligence of Chef Katia whose lineage and most recent tours of duty included Blue Hill and Picholine! She not only planned what could be the best Mediterranean menu you'll ever have here or in the motherland but is also an adept pastry chef whose creations of Greek cheesecake on kataifi nests with pomegranate seeds; pound cake with yogurt ice cream and chocolate brownie a la mode left everyone speechless and reduced to babbling fools in the end as if the amazing wine and cocktails were not enough to do that already!
Xarello is perfection which is bound to draw foodies and locals looking for something new, fresh and smart. Heard they are open for brunch on the weekends as well and can accommodate larger gatherings such as the wedding in the front room when we were there.
I noticed they are primed for New Year's Eve with a retractable screen set up in the back room for viewing the ball drop. Too bad I'm away or else I would reserve a table for the festivities when Xarello and its illustrious principles, John and Claudio (who by the way are alums of the iconic St Regis Hotel and Picholine) and of course, its featured new executive chef, Katia Ramirez, who will all surely outdo themselves!
Two words – Greek Cheesecake. It is incredible. I am so fortunate that I had a life changing experience in which I shall never look at a cheesecake the same way again.
I had the Prix Fixe, started off with the Organic Green Mesclun salad. Was fine, nothing particularly wrong or special. I tried to go healthy.
For the entree I ordered the Grilled Shrimp. It had a polenta cake and a nice ginger sauce over a beer salsa. Very delicious. At first I was a bit sad as the portions seemed so much less than the others, when compared to the skirt steak, the lamb shank, or the salmon. What came next completely blew me away.
Back to the Greek Cheesecake. It comes with feta mousse, rosemary caramel, and pomegranate. There is also a noodle like crust on the bottom. The feta mouse at first reminded me of a really smooth cream cheese. I know that doesn't do much justice, but when you mix the pomegranate and caramel for added sweetness, the bitter sweet taste of the feta mousse really explodes. Just when you think you made it to heaven, add a piece of the crust to the bite and prepare to get launched to another world where cheesecake is made properly. The crust was crunchy and I still have small fantasies about the cheesecake. I'm trying to eat healthy but this cheesecake was worth my normal diet regimen.
When I come back, it will most likely be for the cheesecake.
Please give this place a try!