Directly translated from Italian, “BiVio” means “fork in the road”..I prefer the fork in my hand while I’m eating something delicious!

For more years than I can actually keep track of, BiVio has been our Valentine’s Day spot. It doesn’t scream “romance”, they don’t have a ridiculous themed dinner, nothing like that, it’s just, for us, become tradition. We had our first Valentine’s day dinner there when we had only been dating for a few months, and somehow, the owners got the impression we were already married….we let them assume. We even lightly touched on how our “kids” were doing without us while we had drinks at the bar after dinner that first time. Imagine their surprise when a few years later, we came in on Valentine’s day celebrating getting married earlier in the day! Despite the fact that we don’t make it into the restaurant as often as we wish, the staff always remembers our names, our special dates, and our preferences for various drinks and specials….what more can you ask for? Amazing authentic Italian, at a GREAT price point, and truly customized service.

APPETIZERS

We LOVE LOVE LOVE their fried Oyster! Like, cannot get enough, to the point where one year we went for dinner and somehow missed getting the specials read to us…so we thought there were no Oysters that night. When we overheard the table next to us being read THEIR options for specials, we were insanely jealous, but what could we do? We were mid-entree….so we got them for dessert. Seriously, they’re that good! Now, as mentioned, it’s a special (although they’ve never NOT had them available) so make sure you hear the list before ordering. This starter comes with 6 fried oyster with the most delicious horseradish dijon sauce…you could probably use the leftover bread (haha what is leftover bread??) on the table to soak up whatever remains after you finish the oysters.

We also had the Mozzarella di Bufala Burrata with Prosciutto di Parma. I cannot get enough Caprese on any given day, but Burrata?? OMG…when you slice into it, and that delightfully creamy middle just flows a little bit, pure heaven. They also must have access to some kick a$$ hot house because the tomatoes tasted like a summer day, you know what I mean. Bright red, juicy, you can sort of smell the sunshine before you even take a bite? Yeah, it was that good. Even better, my husband doesn’t eat tomato…at all ever. Woo hoo, more for me!!!

ENTREES

Again, I must warn you to not make up your mind about food until you hear the specials; their menu has some wonderful offerings (Chicken BiVio being my go-to favorite), but if you make up your mind too early, you’ll find yourself quite torn once your server reads you all the delicacies being prepared especially for that evening. It’s a “rookie mistake” my husband makes literally every time we go out…and then there’s the agonizing back and forth between what he had his heart set on vs. what suddenly sounds good (and may only be available TONIGHT!)

This time, it’s no contest between the menu and the specials; its two different specials that has him torn! Does he go with his lifetime favorite; surf and turf of Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail? Or the night’s most attractive entree (thank you to the table next to our for giving us a sneak peek, although I was strongly cautioned against taking a picture of THEIR food, psh) the Stuffed Veal Chops? As you can see, Surf and Turf won out, because LOBSTER…obviously.

I am more decisive. Once I give myself a stern talking to about the pitfalls of ordering myself TWO entrees, I am firmly in camp Lobster as well. They up the ante on their regular menu offering of Frutti di Mare by adding lobster tail (which I had to make sure would be de-shelled for me, I can’t be wearing all that sauce by wrestling it off myself!) and my favorite sauce, Fra Diavlo. Put all my favorite offerings of the ocean in a spicy marinara and serve it up over linguine?? Happy Valentinesaversary to me!

When it came time for dessert, we sadly had to pass, we were too full of all the above deliciousness….although it didn’t stop me from suggesting another round of fried oysters…I could have totally managed them!

I’ll leave you with one parting shot of my spaghetti/fork twirling skills and my completely de-shelled Frutti di Mare as a temptation to get you to visit. Located just across from the Dix Hills Diner on Jericho Turnpike, this is a great little “hidden gem” that I’m happy to share with you all!