I Found It!!!!

By Alex Golden

At Lost and Found, A restaurant in Long Beach, New York

My wife and I went to New York City recently to see some old friends who live there.  Our children were off doing their summer activities, so we decided… “what the heck!?!?” and took off for the Big Apple to hang with the locals!!!  Our friends have a condominium in a building near the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan, which is an unfamiliar area to us, so we were excited to let them be our guide for the weekend – both from a cultural and culinary perspective.  We arrived on a Thursday and enjoyed walking the area for the afternoon while our friends finished up their workday.  After a drink at their place and re-acquainting ourselves, we walked to a nearby place they recommended called Mark’s off Madison.  It was a very interesting concept, with some curve balls on the menu, but all was good and the ambience, friendship and drinks were even better.  

The next day would prove to be a drastic off ramp from how I know New York!!!  We decided to leave the city and head 22 miles out of town to Atlantic Beach, New York (a 1.5-hour drive in traffic by the way!) – a close relative to the Hamptons.  It was my first trip to this area, and I must say, it was very charming, historic, and nostalgic, all of which I am typically a huge fan.  I love going to places that I know thousands or even millions have enjoyed and made memories before me… and it has stood the test of time for a reason…. Like…..  the owner has a unique personality, or there is one appetizer that is “out of this world,” or they make a drink a specific way, or…. what a view?!?!?!?!…. Something that makes it special and enduring.  Atlantic Beach reminded me of this – it wasn’t especially nice or lavish, but it was extremely well kept and most of the places looked like they had “endured well.”  We saw beach clubs like I have only seen in movies like The Flamingo Kid (made in 1984 with Matt Dillon).  It was an experience to see and understand the type of culture and environment it was for this type of access to a beach – very thought provoking and illuminating.

Anyway, that night our friends took us to Lost and Found.  What an experience.  This place had about 3 employees, maybe 40 seats at the most (our 4 were at the Bar, where we could watch all meals being prepared).  Completely un-pretentious in every way, this place is nestled between bars along W. Beech Street in Long Beach, New York.  Getting a parking place is almost impossible and finding an uber/lyft during these covid times is almost as bad… but it is worth it.  The area seemed so familiar – it was full, but not crowded; raucous, but not rude; and intoxicating but not irresponsible.  We walked across the street, right past a pale yellow 1982 Cadillac Coupe de Ville, which seemed normal, until I pointed it out… then, just slightly out of place, but another contribution to our jovial, back-in-time mood.  We walked in and saw the written-out menu that we were directed to photograph with our phones, so that we could refer to it once seated.  It was full and lively – we approached and sat at the bar to watch Alexis Trolf at work preparing meals.  He had an assistant in the kitchen and there was one other person delivering drinks – wine by the bottle mainly (I assume to cut down on the number of necessary trips to the table).  This was the exact concept my father and I had dreamed of creating in Little Rock, Arkansas in/around 1993 – it was amazingly like how he and I talked about it.  Very efficient and all about the food and drink.  The menu was simple and changed daily depending on available ingredients – see attached picture for that day’s example.  We ordered the kale salad, which was the most flavorful kale I have ever had – whatever his dressing was paired perfectly with the bitter kale.  Then we had both tar tars – tuna and beef – both were uniquely spiced, perfectly prepared, and the correct temperature.  For our main plates, we ordered 1) the braised rabbit white beans and mushrooms, 2) roasted chicken paprika, 3) blackened tuna arugula citrus, and 4) the lamb burger with brie and frites.  They were all exceptional, however, the lamb burger with frites was one of the more unique and simple dishes I have ever tried… so full of flavor yet so distinct at the same time – the ultimate in comfort food.  And it all paired perfectly with the 2017 Piteira red blend wine from Portugal we chose as a complement.  All the dishes and drinks were reasonably priced and to keep with the simplicity theme, the restaurant was cash only – although they did accept Venmo payments. 

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It was a great meal, in a great/unique setting, with great drinks, and even better fellowship – I cannot think of anything about the evening which could have made it any better.  Finding places like this to “Savor the Experience” is the exact purpose of EveryDay SoMalYaY and to communicate them in a forum so that others may seek out and enjoy.  I don’t know if I will ever make it back, but oh what a night!

En Vino Veritas.

Alex