For more than 30 years, George Martin The Original has maintained its reign in Rockville Centre, offering a wide variety of steaks, chops, seafood and house specialties, as well as fresh salads and pasta.
The modern new American bistro, a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, continues to reach new levels of quality and service.
Chef Christopher Holt, executive chef at George Martin The Original for nearly 20 years, serves hearty fare and often draws lively crowds on weekends.
Many of George Martin’s staff have been with the establishments for decades. It’s one of the things that frequent guests recognize and appreciate, the consistency of service and dedication to the brand. One special fixture at The Original is Ernie, the bartender, who has a following of his own, having served up some great specialty drinks since day one of the restaurant’s opening in Rockville Centre.
Try a coconut margarita, made with 1800 Coconut Tequila, Triple Sec, fresh lime, a splash of pineapple juice, and a toasted coconut rim ($15). Or try a generously poured classic cocktail like a gin and tonic, (and quite possibly the best gin and tonic that I have ever had) made with Hendrick’s Gin, tonic and fresh lime juice.
It is not common to find popovers on the table, but when you do, you expect them to be as good as ever. George Martin’s are. They are made fresh every day and served with a trio of spreads (butter, cinnamon butter and hummus.
The Duck Confit is a rare treat on the appetizers menu. The duck is slow-roasted and shredded, paired with brie and caramelized onions, folded into paper-thin crepes and served with a drizzle of bourbon spiked fig jam ($15). This is not a typical take on a French crepe, but it is savory, much like a Scandinavian pancake. The duck is not gamey and if you didn’t know it was duck, you might think it was pork or chicken. The classic Calamari Fritti is always a sure bet. This appetizer dish is just calamari ringlets, but it is served with crispy cherry peppers and has Dijon aioli sauce and marinara sauce on the side ($17).
The menu, including the daily specials selections, is loaded with options, a variety of steaks, chicken, pasta, seafood and sandwiches.
Four favorites from the menu are the shell steak, salmon, pork cutlet and short ribs.
New York Shell Gorgonzola Crusted NY Shell is a 14 ounce cut, marinated in an Irish whiskey-peppercorn sauce, served with a choice of potato ($46). It is beautifully marbled , but still tender and is super flavorful. If you are a steak sauce lover, you will enjoy the George Martin Steak Sauce; it is dynamite, but the steak is stand-alone delicious and does not necessarily need it, but it is a bonus. Or try the boneless beef short ribs stroganoff. The hearty medallions are slow-braised for more than 24 hours making them lovely and tender. They are served over wild mushroom ravioli and sour cream pan sauce ($34).
Not in a beef mood? The Pork Jaegerschnitzel, a long-time staple on the George Martin menu, is a pork cutlet that is hammered super-thin, crusted with lemon-panko and served over house-made spaetzle (German noodle), red cabbage and mushroom pan sauce ($25). This can also be ordered as a chicken dish instead of pork, if you prefer.
Looking for a seafood fix? Try the broiled Mustard & Pretzel Crusted Norwegian Salmon with asparagus, braised red cabbage and chardonnay jus ($32). It is tangy, crunchy and meaty.
And if you have saved any room for dessert, you must try the house staple, the George Martin Brownie ($13) topped with a towering scoop of vanilla ice cream, chocolate ganache, caramel sauce, whipped cream and M&Ms. This is a deeply satisfying dessert. Another favorite, but one that is only occasionally on the menu, the old fashioned carrot cake ($9) served with walnuts and a cream cheese frosting.
There is a kids’ menu of some traditional favorites like chicken fingers, pasta, burgers and grilled cheese.
The Rockville Centre location has ample parking. There is metered street parking until 6 p.m. and a commuter lot behind the restaurant after 4 p.m.
The restaurant offers dine-in and take-out and is often a top choice for local business lunch meetings.
The George Martin brand of dining experiences includes:
- George Martin Burger Bar (Rockville Centre)
- George Martin Grillfire (Merrick and in Hanover, MD)
- Vivo Italian Kitchen (Hanover, MD)
- George Martin Strip Steak (Great River)
George Martin The Original is located at 65 North Park Ave. in Rockville Centre. Call 516-678-7272 or visit www.georgemartintheoriginal.com for more information.
(Christy Hinko)
