Farm Country Kitchen

Quietly tucked in a nook of West Main Street lies one of Riverhead's best kept culinary secrets but be careful if you sneeze you might miss it. Often mistaken for someone's home, the only thing beckoning drivers towards Farm Country Kitchen is a free standing chalkboard displaying its name, oh and the 15 vehicles fighting over limited parking.

After finally finding a spot at the gas station across the street (which I'm not sure your allowed to do), follow the stone pathway draped with bamboo trees to what looks like the front door of your grandmother's country home. If the scent of fresh baked cookies doesn't lure you in on its own, the view overlooking the tranquil Peconic River will. Plus the picturesque display of precious ducklings bobbing behind their mother and squirrels playing tag up the giant pear tree is free of charge.

Farm Country Kitchen may be a mystery to many but this eatery is my all time favorite place to dine. On the rare occasion that I have an evening off I'm first in line for the limited balcony seating. With only about 12 tables you quickly make friends with your hungry neighbor. Last Friday I pounced on the opportunity to be served for a change and took my dad out to an absurdly late birthday dinner (April...August, easily interchangeable).

At first I was hesitant to bring my father's taste buds to my culinary happy place since they definitely belong to a food critic in another life, not to mention one that only liked authentic Italian food and couldn't have the different items on his plate touch each other without having a minor panic attack. But I figured with a menu that changes seasonally there had to be something to entice that iron-willed palate.

Ducking through the front door, the entranceway looks like the cover of a Town and Country Magazine. When we walked in the staff welcomed us like we were an old dear friend they hadn't seen in ages (even though I have brought my boyfriend there the weekend before) and escorted us to a quaint wrought iron table outside. We read through the mouthwatering menu over a bottle of chilled red wine we brought from home.

Although I need my toes to count the number of times I have been here, I stayed true to my astrological traits and could not make a decision. The waitress, who actually did remind me of my grandmother, read us the nightly specials which confused my palate even more. I decided to step away from my usual appetizer-the fried artichoke hearts which are lightly crisped and served with a delectable horseradish dipping sauce that dances down your taste buds- and finally settled on the Sophia Salad to start.

The vinegary scent of arugula bit my nose as it came out of the kitchen. Topped with luscious roasted red peppers, fresh mozzarella cheese, carrots, cabbage, juicy baby tomatoes and fried artichoke hearts (I had to have them somewhere) the salad was gone in minutes.

Our discussion was halted when our entrees walked through the door. My dad got the Chicken Shiitake dish and when they placed it in front of him I thought I was going to fall off my already wobbly chair. Bite size pieces of boneless chicken were bathing in a garlic and shallot white wine sauce over creamy risotto bordered by crunchy asparagus. Everything was touching each other! But he dug in with no hesitation, the succulent and rustic flavors quieting those obstinate taste buds.

I ordered the Cajun Seared Salmon, a dish that I have gotten once or twice before but this time it was served differently. I had gotten it once in the winter and it came dressed in a berry reduction sauce laying next to creamy risotto, strawberries, blueberries and a medley of mixed vegetables. On this breezy summer evening, it came next to a sweet quinoa salad and fresh asparagus.

Although the chef creates one of the most amazing blueberry pies I have ever had, we were too full to fit another morsel of food into our bodies. I left pleasantly plumper then when I walked in and happy that my dining choice had conquered my father's finicky palate.