3 Brothers Farmingdale

As I was saying...since I am impatient couldn't wait for Jay Astafa to arrive with his delicious grub at the Karuna for Animals: Animal Rights and Vegfest, I decided to just go directly to 3 Brothers.

I'd only been to their previous location in Garden City, so this was my first visit to their new Farmingdale location.  When I approached, the restaurant and parking lot looked eerily similar to the original GC location that is no longer owned by the Astafa Family; I considered that I might have come to the wrong place.

wrong place!

It was dark when I entered, and there wasn't a soul around.  Then I realized I had to walk through to the pizzeria, where I was surprised to find only one customer and a small staff that all seemed intent on ignoring me.

still wrong!

When I finally got someone to acknowledge me, I asked for the vegan menu.  I was sort of relieved when I was told there was none.  I WAS in the wrong place- entirely.  Just a random, Long Island pizzeria named Three Brothers... in Bethpage: which is neither vegan or owned by the Astafas.

Luckily, some iPhone sleuthing revealed that the real 3 Brothers was about a mile and a half away. Check your navigation, people; don't let this happen to you: a pizza delay is no joke!  And then:

ding ding ding

Just what I was looking for:

The new space is bright and the dining room was crowded as expected.  The take-out business was bustling (mostly vegan orders were overheard!) and the pizza chef was extraordinarily friendly; I was definitely in the right place.

I somehow resisted the options that were available for immediate nosh, but take note if you're in the area and just want a slice.

Instead, I ordered a ton to-go.  How could I not?  I was surrounded by the sights and smells of extraordinary vegan pizza.

The dueling menus:

With every minute that passed I wanted to order something more.  Instead, I busied myself with a first: blogging right from the restaurant using my Blogger app.  I did have time to wait for my large order, so why not?  (note: publishing from my Blogger app inexplicably mis-ordered my post)

This is the grandma pizza: square pizza, tomato sauce, fresh basil, Daiya mozzarella, soy parmesan. I requested that it be made on a Sicilian pie instead of the thin crust because more dough is always appropriate.

I can smell the basil just looking at this picture!

My calzone: with cashew-tofu ricotta, Daiya mozzarella, peppers and onions.

 

If there's an appetizing way to photograph a calzone, please let me know.  In the meantime, know that it was huge and delish; I ate it with VM's marinara (coincidentally, I ate it with VM, as well).

 

Also, a large, round pie: with Daiya mozzarella, peppers and onions. 

Are these not the biggest Daiya shreds you've ever seen? 

A random pocket photo as I struggled to stuff everything in the car.

Why?  Because my little bit of vegan Italy...went in my trunk.

It was a long drive home with the scent of pizza wafting through the car.  You can't very well grab a slice while you're behind the wheel, so everything made it home intact.  It was worth the wait; totally delish: every morsel.

Suffice it to say I have plenty of leftovers frozen.

...because you never know when to expect a pizza emergency.

3 Brothers may have changed locations, but their food is as yummy as ever.  I know Jay Kitchen is already a catering company with plans to open a fine dining establishment in New York City, but I would implore them to consider opening an NYC 3 Brother's outpost as well.  Because eventually I'm going to run out of my stockpile.

Celebrating Vegan Pizza Day with 3 Brothers

While I can't tell you what 3 Brothers Pizza will be doing today to celebrate Vegan Pizza Day, I can suggest that you go there immediately and consume massive quantities of partake in any of these delicious dishes that I enjoyed on a recent visit; they- and much, much more- are available every day at 3 Brothers!  As for me, I'll be eating the leftovers in celebration.

I always seem to visit on off hours, which means that they're not overly crowded and most of the clientele is ordering vegan. Not sure why that is, but I'll take it!  This time, there was actually a very new vegan ordering takeout; I assumed he was newly vegan because he had a bunch of vegan reading material under his arm as he ordered and he had many more questions than the average vegan simply confirming veganity.  A newbie at a vegan-friendly Italian eatery?  We've already won, people.

When you eat in at 3 Brothers, the meal starts off with fresh bread and vegan butter.  In case you're wondering, the vegan butter is automatic if you request the vegan menu (but always make sure).  It's warm and crispy!

And yes, I did say vegan menu.  We're not talking mere substitutions here; vegans have a huge menu of options all their own.

It's separate and, dare I say, infinitely better than the "regular" menu- for more than the obvious reasons.

I wanted to try some new things, so what to get this time?  I started off with the mushrooms oreganata: "stuffed with oregano infused panko breadcrumbs, in a lemon butter sauce".  The richness of the sauce was well countered by the freshness of the mushroom; I really enjoyed this one.

I've been kind of infatuated with vegan ricotta lately.  Since it's been too hot to make my own white pizza, I decided to go all out and order myself a calzone.

It's been a really long time since I've had a calzone; have they always been this big?  Luckily it was on a long, rectangular plate because otherwise it would have been hanging off: the veritable dosa of the Italian world.  Filled with peppers and onions and served with a side of marinara, it was excellent.

Here's where it went haywire.  I couldn't not order a pizza; it would have been rude.

Also with peppers and onions, although they did forget my olives.

And, for those of you keeping score, the red pepper shaker was just as clean as last time (for some reason my picture won't upload).  I love a good, clean, "public" condiment dispenser.

Let's be honest, I didn't eat all of this food; there were plenty of leftovers, which is why I am able to celebrate Vegan Pizza Day in style from my very own home.  But I didn't hold back in a rail against gluttony; I wanted to leave room for dessert.

All of these Vegan Treats options sounded incredible, but "when in Rome..."..."leave the gun and take the cannoli."  Or something like that.

And, as if that wasn't enough: a parting gift.  Ok, not exactly a gift.  Well, not an intended gift; let me explain.  I happened to notice that the pen that came with the check was awesome.  When I saw that it was a 3 Brothers pen I asked if they were selling them.  The waitress said I could have it!  This is not just an ordinary pen, people.

It has a really bright light on the end as well!  Come on; it's like two gadgets in one.

It's hard to leave you, 3 Brothers.

But, I'll see you soon.

Happy Vegan Pizza Day, everybody!

You Can Go Home Again- Even If Just For (Three Brothers) Pizza

As a girl straight outta Long Island, how did it take me so long to get to Three Brothers?  No matter the delay, the wait is now over and there are so many great things to report.

Already planning to be in the area, there was no question that we would use our plans as an excuse be arriving early enough to enjoy as much of the menu as possible.

After a brief mishap wherein I almost pulled into an alley that has yet to be confirmed as car-width, we parked in the lot behind the restaurant (entrance on Seamon Avenue, not N Long Beach Road) under this unassuming awning.

Once we got to the door we knew for sure that we were in the right place.

The dining room was large and spotless.  The owner, who told us he is vegetarian (Just like VM!  They bonded.) wound up being our waiter, and he was incredibly nice and exceedingly patient with my unbridled excitement throughout the meal.

The menu!  Jay Astafa is the owner's vegan son.  Good looking out, Jay!

Check this out: is this a dream, or what?  Appetizers, salads, pasta, sides, entrees, pizza- ALL VEGAN.  It's like we're real.

ALL vegan

Because we were dining in, as opposed to grabbing a slice and a soda (or beer!), we were immediately brought fresh, warm bread & vegan butter!!!  As someone who has discreetly brought their own butter to non-vegan restaurants, this is a huge deal.

We started off with mozzarella sticks, of course.  Who wouldn't?  It's been years.

The breading was thicker than I remembered, but Daiya never disappoints; WOWZA.

Even though Italian VM has never met a vegan ricotta she's liked, I ordered her favorite dish: eggplant rollatini.  She was bullied into tasting agreed to taste it and took a sliver.  I knew we (me, 3 Brothers, vegans in general) had her when she took a second sliver...and ultimately ate a whole one of the two rolls.  There's just no better endorsement than that!

Despite all of the impressive entree offerings, our tummies were longing for some Long Island pizza.  Indulge me some pizza pin-up.

VM & A. Bean's pizza trifecta: peppers, onions, and mushrooms.

Just look at that crust!  I die.

Is it just me or are condiment shakers a little gag-worthy?  Behold the cleanest red pepper shaker in all the land.  Seriously, the shine almost blinded me; I swear they completely sanitize them after each pawing.

The best way to top off the meal?  Dessert offerings instantly recognizable as Vegan Treats' desserts.

I chose the elusive Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Cake.  It was even more decadent and rich than you might imagine.

As an added bonus to the wholly spectacular meal and experience, the owner was kind enough to provide our dessert on the house.  I honestly don't think it was because he equated my incessant photographing with blogger status, I think he was just that nice.  Either that or he had a bet with himself that if I was able to polish off the whole slice he'd treat me to it.  I win again!

Before we left I couldn't help but to see what the restaurant looks like from the front entrance.  They're not veg-shy!

Awesome:

And then, the long, full walk back to the car.

I was too embarrassed to gush before leaving (okay, I did gush a little), but that blurry figure on the right is the Jay we have to thank for creating this fantastic menu.  Jay, please don't get a restraining order. [update 7/8/11: Jay leaves a comment, Abby Bean is flattered!]

For those of you interested, I was in town to see the incomparable Sade in concert.

Live in New York; does it get any better?

Her voice is as powerful and soulful as ever.

And she can rock the peek-a-boo bra with style like nobody's business.

If you ever have the opportunity to catch a show on one of her elusive tours, I'd recommend that you do so; Sade and her band are truly an outstanding class act.

A great meal and a fabulous show with stellar company; that's how it's done.

You know what else?

Leftovers!