Craft foods and libations you'll love

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Parlay Gastropub
210 Merrick Road, Rockville Centre
(516) 442-2600, www.ParlayRVC.com

Parlay is many things, but a place that serves pub food … it is not. What you have here is a huge selection of creative, high-end eats joining over 40 craft beers and some “smoking” cocktails. And surprisingly, prices are quite reasonable.

Taking over the space that once housed McFadden’s, Parlay Gastropub opened in April. Décor was transformed into Brooklyn industrial chic — exposed brick walls, center skylight, hanging light bulbs, and a polished concrete floor with a 40-foot bar top to match. Up front are metal picnic tables; booths are in the rear.

Executive Chef Tara Weaver has credits that include working at the Garden City Hotel. Her expertise and passion for cooking is apparent. All her delicious preparations are tastefully presented.

We were wowed by a steaming (dry ice) Parlay Passion, a stunning cocktail made for two or three. A 55-ounce goblet was topped off with orange and raspberry vodka, Malibu, cranberry and lime juice, and mixed fresh berries.

Service was swift and attentive. Menu items are paired with a recommended beer. Crab cake on mixed greens with Dijon vinaigrette was outstanding. BBQ duck on flatbread included cheddar, Poblano chili, and green onions. Roasted beet and fennel salad, with avocado, oranges, toasted walnuts and arugula was dressed with ginger yogurt, in a bowl made of cucumber. Roasted brussel sprouts with truffle parmesan cream, pancetta and walnuts, were firm and tasty.

Shrimp and grits — a bowl of Gulf White with organic cheddar grits speckled with bacon and green onion — was the ultimate in comfort food. Onion crusted chicken in burr Blanc sauce was amazing in flavor, served with mashed potatoes and baby asparagus. Prime rib was so tender that no steak knife was needed.

Everything is homemade, right down to the marshmallows and graham cracker crumbles in the S’mores brownie sundae. Banana Fosters was decadent, banana slices in a sauce of rum, brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with ice cream. Whoopee pie ice cream sandwiches are perfect for the kids.

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