76C Jobs Lane
Southampton
631-283-4316

I’ve learned from experience that no matter how a restaurant looks on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. I like to walk into a restaurant and feel welcomed and comfortable. I love to turn up my nose and inhale the smells as they waft from the kitchen. When my nose perks up and my stomach begins to chirp, then I know I’m in for a delicious experience.

When I walked into Birchwood on the Park, nestled in a little corner of Southampton on Jobs Lane, my senses immediately went into hyper drive. At first glance I spied the heart of any pub-like eatery – the bar, where at 8 p.m. on a Friday night the talented bartending staff was hard at work serving up cold beverages to thirsty patrons. Owner and restaurateur James Loo took over ownership of the establishment in February of this year, and the place is already becoming a favorite of Southampton locals and visitors alike.

My guest and I were greeted at the door by Birchwood’s Restaurant Manager, Jeanne Smith. We were whisked to a cozy table in the main dining area, but I did catch a glimpse of an outdoor patio, which I definitely plan to make use of once the weather warms up.

Our friendly waitress, Liz, offered some helpful suggestions on what appetizers to order. She recommended we try the nachos, which were piled high with Head Chef Mary Livingstone’s phenomenal homemade chili, spicy jalapeños and cheese. We also sampled the fresh fried calamari, and being a huge fan of this dish, it is my way of deciding if a restaurant is worth coming back to. The breading on calamari is, without a doubt, the most important aspect. Birchwood’s definitely passed the test with my discerning palate. The squid was cooked perfectly, still tender and juicy, and the breading held on through the frying. It was a party in my mouth.

Next, we had our soup course. I chose the special of the night, comforting chicken vegetable, while my guest ordered classic French onion soup. The chicken soup had chunks of chicken, was loaded with fresh veggies and was perfectly seasoned. The French onion soup won us both over, with a delicious piece of bread and plenty of provolone cheese.

For the main course, I decided to try one of Birchwood’s specials of the night, pasta rosa with chicken, spinach and fresh mozzarella in a pink brandy cream sauce, while my guest went for one of their juicy, eight ounce burgers with crispy seasoned waffle fries on the side. My pasta dish was enormous, loaded with tender strips of grilled chicken and huge pieces of mozzarella that melted into the light cream sauce. The spinach was fresh and tender, and my taste buds were more than satisfied with my choice. We ate until we couldn’t fit another bite into our pleasantly full bellies.

What impressed us the most about Birchwood was the seemingly endless menu, filled with comforting foods such as pot roast, meatloaf, chicken francaise and loaded steak fajitas. The sandwich menu offers favorites such as hot pastrami topped with provolone cheese and French dip with mounds of roasts beef and mozzarella. Then there are the Polish dishes that Birchwood is most proud of, like their ultimate Pu-Pu platter, loaded with potato pancakes, kielbasa and kraut, onion rings, wings and spare ribs. If you’re hankering for some true Polish fare, you can choose from pierogi, kielbasa, and golomki, which is cabbage stuffed with a delicious blend of chopped meat, rice, onions, peppers and spices.

Birchwood on the Park also offers patrons nightly specials. Monday is community night, where Birchwood gives back by offering a $5 all-you-can – eat buffet and $3 drafts to all the hardworking emergency services personnel. Two for Tuesdays at Birchwood offers patrons two pints and two burgers with a choice of toppings for only $20. Wednesday is Ladies Night, where ladies enjoy half-price dinner specials, half-price alcoholic drinks and $3 bottled beers. Thursday is wing night with all-you-can-eat wings for $18. Yum! Happy Hour specials on Friday and Saturday include half-price drinks and select appetizers. On Sunday, patrons can enjoy a delicious prime rib dinner for just $18 and $16 for seniors.

On the weekend, Birchwood caters to the “younger” crowd with a live band every Friday night starting at 10 p.m., and on Saturday, DJ Phil spins the hottest songs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Birchwood on the Park has it all – great food at affordable prices, a dedicated and knowledgeable staff and a comfortable atmosphere. It’s a place to go and enjoy some of your favorite dishes throughout the week, and get your party hats on during the weekend.

For more information visit www.myspace.com/BirchwoodonthePark, or call 631-283-4316.

– Genevieve Salamone