Bites Nearby: Kiss the Chef

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, the Mineola Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

 – “Chef Horacio and Lorraine are BACK” announces the menu at Kiss the Chef and those of us who love good, inexpensive food are cheering. Husband and wife Horacio and Lorraine Mazariegos opened Kiss the Chef in 2007 and diners flocked to the clean, bright little diner tucked away in Mineola’s industrial area. But the Mazariegos sold the restaurant and that was the end of that until late 2010 when  and began serving their signature comfort food once more.

Lorraine describes Kiss the Chef as “an upscale eatery with diner pricing.” There’s a good variety of choice. The chef bakes 24 chicken potpies each day and they’re always sold out. Special dishes are featured each week: Wednesday is Bolognese day, Thursday is meat loaf and pea soup day and on Friday the specials are New England lobster roll and crab cakes.

The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch and late on Thursdays for a prix fixe dinner by reservation. Chef Horacio comes up with two or three specials, there are candles and flowers on the tables and live music. You may not know what to expect from this eclectic chef, but guaranteed it will be fresh and tasty.

106 E 2nd St, Mineola, NY 11501, 516-739-9600
Hours: Open daily for breakfast and lunch, late on Thursdays for dinner (closed Sundays).
Prices: $5.95 to $7.95 for entrees ($6.95 for meatloaf on Thursdays).