Bay Shore Bites and Brews

17 restaurants and three breweries came together at a unique tasting event in Bay Shore, coined “Bay Shore Bites and Brews.” In celebration of the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Shoregate apartment complex, TRITEC Real Estate Company hosted the tasting event from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, allowing new neighbors and old friends to come together and fill their stomachs—for a good cause.

“It is an opportunity for us to introduce Shoregate to the community, and for our residents to meet the community. But it is also an opportunity for us to support Long Island Cares,” shared TRITEC senior principal and co-founder, Bob Coughlan.

Indeed, all proceeds raised from the $25 ticket purchase required to attend the event benefited Long Island Cares, a large regional food bank dedicated to combating food insecurity on Long Island.

“There are 230,000 people a day here on Long Island battling food insecurity, and 67,000 of those are young people, children,” Coughlan noted.

With so many delicious signature dishes and brews to choose from, it would be impossible to taste them all. But as a self-proclaimed foodie, I would be remiss if I did not try.

While each dish I sampled was delicious, there are a few I have still been thinking about, days later.

My fellow Italian-Americans would agree: nothing beats a good meatball. Over at the Butera’s of Bay Shore booth, co-founder Laurie Butera handed out the restaurant’s famous chicken meatballs in a delicious marinara sauce. Tender and comforting, it is clear Butera’s has perfected meatballs like no other.

Perhaps my favorite sample of the whole event was a macaroni and cheese dish from Napper Tandy’s. While the sample seems simple, the Jamison barbecue pulled pork was simply delicious. An elevated classic, it was impossible to put down.

To pair with the delicious meatballs and pulled pork, I went with the obvious choice… a kiwi-pink lemonade mimosa?

Toast Coffeehouse does mimosas like no other. Having frequented the Bay Shore location for brunch, I have eyed the unique mimosa flavors on their menu—including pomegranate, cranberry, and lemon blueberry—but always ultimately opted for their coffee. When the opportunity presented itself at “Bay Shore Bites and Brews,” I had to try what I have been missing out on. The kiwi- pink lemonade mimosa was equally refreshing and tangy, and would make a delicious permanent edition to the Toast Coffeehouse menu.

The complete list of restaurants and breweries that participated include the following: Toast Coffeehouse, Tap Room, Pecado, Goody Two Shoes, Roto, Take Two Brewery, Napper Tandy’s, Tullulah’s, Coastal Kitchen & Daquiri Bar, Great South Bay Brewery, Zest, The Linwood, Destination Unknown Beer Company, Tula Kitchen, Butera’s of Bay Shore, The Pizzeria, Nicky’s on the Bay, Changing Times, Salt & Barrel, and Captain Bill’s.

In total, the event raised $9,310.25 for Long Island Cares, the equivalent of 5,679 meals for those in need. If you are interested in helping combat food insecurity on Long Island through donating or volunteering, visit www.licares.org.