Community Corner
The Chop Shop: A Main Street Destination for Fine Dining
Seasonal fruit, veggies and fish all have an impact on the menu offerings at Chop Shop.
Chop Shop head chef Michael Fiorentino said his inspiration for the creation of his restaurant week menu is based mostly on the change of the season.
"The introduction of seasonal fruits and vegetables and the type of fish that are available this time of year had a lot of influence on the menu," he said.
Fiorentino, a graduate of New York Tech, has been in the restaurant business for over 20 years and has worked with Chop Shop owner Ralph Belfiore for 8 years. Belfiore added, in regard to the menu, that it is comprised of half of the restaurant's traditional menu and half of a specialty menu created by Fiorentino that shows off his creativity.
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Belfiore, who has been in the restaurant business himself for over 30 years and owns another restaurant in Massapequa (Hudson's Mill) was excited about the restaurant's participation in restaurant week.
"I think restaurant week is a great opportunity to reach out to the community and to people who may not have been here before," Belfiore said.
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Though only a few days into restaurant week the turnout has been very good, according to Belfiore. He added that in general it is a good opportunity for $24.95 for people to come out and sample what restaurants have to offer.
Chop Shop, which opened June of 2009, has been very well received so far by the community, saying that since day one the community has turned out in support of the restaurant. Belfiore added that he was very excited to come out to the north shore after owning various restaurants around Long Island.
"We're starting to establish ourselves as a neighborhood destination being located in the heart of Smithtown," he said. "We have a neighborhood type atmosphere here where people gather here to grab a bite at the bar and watch a game on TV."
Belfiore went on to say that, "the restaurant is structured to cater to the person who wants to come in and just wants a burger or panini or to the person who wants a bone in ribeye."
Chop Shop also offers daily happy hour specials with half priced drinks and bar menu, as well as, Wine and Dime every Tuesday where customers are offered to buy one glass of wine at full price and the second for a dime from their extensive wine list.
