Plaza Cafe in Southampton Leads the Fight!
With the summer crowds out of town and the local harvest season in full swing, there are innumerable reasons to hit the best East End restaurants during the month of October. But the Plaza Café in Southampton has added a more meaningful item to the list: To raise awareness of and money for breast cancer treatment.
Every Wednesday in October, the Plaza Café in Southampton will donate $5 from each prix fixe dinner sold to Lucia’s Angels and The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital.
“I lost my wife to breast cancer almost two years ago and both of these organizations were very helpful to us during her battle,” Plaza chef/owner Doug Guljia explains, with regard to the promotion.
The prix fixe costs $34 and includes a sampling of the Plaza’s flavorful, inventive dishes—the menu earned the restaurant the No. 6 spot on Zagat’s 2012 list of top Hamptons eateries.
Available starters include Prosciutto-wrapped Wild Pacific Shrimp (served with porcini risotto and white truffle oil) as well as the Long Island Seafood Chowder (a decadent mixture of local clams, mussels, cod and corn in a tomato-fennel broth); and Organic Field Greens with roasted pears, toasted walnuts, goat cheese and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette.
For the main course, Chef Guljia has included a wide selection of items to please even the most discerning palate. On the menu is Horseradish Crusted Local Cod (served with roast garlic mashed potatoes, crispy leeks and chive oil); sliced Flat Iron Steak (with potato-spinach hash, crispy shallots and red wine sauce); Herb Marinated Free Range Chicken (with wild mushroom polenta, baby vegetables and pan gravy); and a Penne Bolognese (the classic meat ragout is made with sweet sausage meat and shaved grana padana).
In the interest of ending the meal on a sweet note, the desserts included are a Chocolate-Vanilla Torte, an Apple-Pecan Cake and a classic Crème Brulée.
Serving fine dining nightly, the Plaza Café has recently undergone remodeling, and Chef Guljia has added Sunday Brunch and bar selections to provide a more laid-back atmosphere.
And on Wednesdays, that ambience will also be one of support. Both Lucia’s Angels and the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center provide assistance to women in their cancer fight. Lucia’s Angels is a foundation based on Eastern Long Island that helps women and their families afflicted with late-stage women’s cancers, including breast cancer, with daily needs and special concerns. The Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art breast health facility, offering such services as education, early detection screenings and breast cancer treatment and support.
An oft-ignored day during the Hamptons offseason, Wednesday “just kind of worked out,” says Chef Guljia. And now East Enders can indulge in fine food, mid-week, while supporting a great cause.
Read my full review of The Plaza Café from earlier this year online at www.danshamptons.com.
Visit www.luciasangels.org and www.southamptonhospital.org for more information.
The Plaza Café is located at 61 Hill Street, Southampton. 631-283-9323, www.plazacafe.us.