Emily’s Eco-Eats: The Nook

Located on Sunrise Highway at the corner of Railroad Avenue in Wantagh stands The Nook Restaurant, an American-style eatery owned by Wantagh native Tom Splescia. With a home cooked feel, the menu offers choices such as chicken francese and filet mignon with heaping sides.

"The menu is an evolution from the different chefs that have been here. Once we knew we had a solid menu, we stuck with it and modified from there," Splescia said.

Splescia bought the restaurant in 1985 and most nights you can find him playing host and bartender, greeting all who walk in and knowing almost all of his customers by name. "My favorite part about this job is meeting the people," Splescia said.

With warm, fresh bread that keeps coming and a variety of soups, including split pea and potato leek that can make even the most adamant veggie-hater convert, The Nook offers options for those who are looking to dine out on a budget.

With the most expensive item on the menu being filet mignon at only $24.95, couples can dine for an average bill of $40.  A full entrée also comes with a soup or salad appetizer.

For those watching their budgets a bit more but are still equally as hungry, Splescia offers all of his pasta dishes as a half portion, including cappelini shrimp and bowtie pasta capri.  The half portions range from $6.95 for penne ala vodka to $9.95 for the cappelini shrimp, but patrons never leave The Nook feeling less than full.

Manager's special: Bring in a print-out of this article for a complimentary cocktail.