Fri Oct 18

Bravonader

Written by Venus Quintana
Published in Restaurants
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The Hidden Gem of Huntington

Nader Gebrin is a man with an undeniable passion for his craft. He is the chef and owner of Bravo! Nader – a cozy, intimate restaurant tucked away from the bustling hub of Huntington village. You will find only 12 tables at this charming spot (that are seldom empty) and Nader will always be eager to greet you with open arms and a kindhearted kiss. The devotion he possesses for his patrons is as genuine as his desire to create some of the finest Italian cuisine on Long Island.

I had the distinct pleasure of dining at Bravo! Nader and meeting the man behind the name. Sure enough, the moment I entered, Nader was there to greet me with an enthusiastic smile and a heartfelt kiss. Projecting a delightful eagerness, Nader took the time to show me his impressive collection of photos and articles that adorn the restaurant walls. In addition to his incredible cooking talents, the convivial chef is also an avid fisherman. He has traveled the world on many seas searching for his next catch and nothing pleases him more than to explore the deep waters of the ocean. He is a fearless man who lives for new adventures, new discoveries and new ideas. His success is the unfolding of a lifelong story of dreams that have turned into realities, not by mere luck, but through hard work and determination to beat the odds and never give up.

Born and raised in Egypt, Nader’s love of cooking started at a very early age. He went on to travel the world, obtained an accomplished background in hotel management and studied at an esteemed culinary school in Luzern, Switzerland. Through years of hardships and continued fortitude, Nader’s travels finally led him onto American soil, where he worked at several Italian restaurants on Long Island. His dream of owning a restaurant finally became a reality when he bought Trattorio Grasso in Huntington more than 10 years ago and renamed it Bravo! Nader.

The fruits of his labor are revealed in the lively menu, where the selection of fresh fish shines and cleverly constructed meals pair with sips of old and new world vintages from the extensive wine list. If you are lucky, you may even find a fresh sea bass or tilefish on your plate that was caught by Nader himself. He uses colossal crabmeat in his famous crab cakes, served with a house-made spin on a flavorful salsa. Everything on the menu is prepared fresh and nothing is ever fried. Choose from a myriad of appetizers and perfectly created veal, chicken, shrimp, fish and pasta dishes as well as daily specials.

For the past eight years, Nader has been educating patrons with his cooking classes, in-house and online. Held in the restaurant on Sunday afternoons, Nader shares his secrets with his audience through well-executed demonstrations. His entertaining and humble approach to his teaching makes for a most enjoyable experience. The only secret he will not share is his homemade napoleon recipe. If I could make dessert this good, I would keep it a secret, too. Bravo Nader!

9 Union Place Huntington NY 11743 | 631.351.1200 Open for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended. Visit www.bravonader.com for information on cooking classes, recipes and videos.