What’s Cookin’? – Smithtown
By Nancy Vallarella
Photos by Courtney Oates
Reeling In a Real Sense of Community – Relish and the Reel Kitchen
The proprietors of Relish in Kings Park, Chef Steve Cardello and Donny Brown, have once again invested in yet another business within the town in which they live. Early in 2015, the two business partners took ownership of Café Siena in Saint Catherine’s of Siena Hospital and have followed that up with Reel Kitchen. Located at 112 Main Street, Kings Park it is coincidently one-hundred-twelve steps from their original venture, Relish.
A rising tide lifts all boats…. It has been five years since Relish opened its doors. Today, there is no doubt that Cardello and Brown have knocked it out of the park with their food, family, and life concept serving surprisingly upscale comfort food using the finest local ingredients available.
It is common to hear customers talk about Relish as if it is theirs. The staff is caring, and you walk away feeling something happened for you and not to you. Having been present for a Staff “Pre-meal”, it is easy to understand where the nurturing and nourishing are coming from.
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Chef/Proprietor Steve Cardello guides the Relish serving staff prior to;)
service by presenting the specials menu. This narrative includes where the ingredients were sourced. On this day, the specials menu consisted of one soup, two appetizers, five entrees and three desserts. Local ingredients included vegetables from Organics Today in West Islip and Atlantic cod caught less than 24 hours before service.
Everyone was given a fork and dove in each item comparing notes and asking questions. Steve remained to address all of the staff’s questions and wrapped up the meal by thanking the staff for their part in making Relish one of Newsday’s 2015 - 10 Best Cheap Eats restaurants on L.I.
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At Reel Kitchen you can experience the same ethic in transparency; passion, talent, hard work and community. The store has been totally transformed from the former fish market (Jesse James Fish Market). The fish is chemical and preservative free. For those who are challenged when it comes to cooking fish…There is a wall full of take-out menu options and expert fish cooking tips from accomplished chefs. Reel Kitchen is proving to be an atypical fish market.
With great pride and joy, co-owner Donny Brown recounts the Reel Kitchen’s renovation. Reclaiming brick from an early 1900’s Brooklyn Brownstone that veneer the walls to having to take out the storefront’s large glass window to accommodate the custom stainless steel cases. All the labors of love in between were well worth it. Exposed ceilings, Sycamore counter top and the huge blackboard menu with art by Joanna Reiss give the space a hip downtown vibe.
Service in Reel Kitchen is more of a down-home vibe. The friendly staff is informed and able to provide information on the products sold. Locally acclaimed and CIA trained chefs work the exposed kitchen and are there to advise customers on take-out items, give raw product cooking advise, or just say hello.
The fish products are irresistible. Both raw and prepared scream fresh. Raw fish products and prices vary seasonally. There are real deals at Reel Kitchen. - Lunch specials for $10 plus $1 for fresh lemonade. Check out Reel Kitchen’s daily Blackboard, Crabby Monday, and Taco Tuesday Specials.
There is limited indoor and outdoor seating at Reel Kitchen but plenty of fresh fish options and friendly conversation.