Long Island Restaurants Offer Hands-On Cooking Classes

A night out doesn’t always mean a night off from cooking. Long Island eateries are increasingly attracting diners eager to participate in the culinary process, offering classes that bring chefs out of the kitchen and into the dining room for interactive experiences. These classes range from crafting homemade pasta to mixing trendy cocktails.

Limoncello and ‘Espresso-Cello’ Making

Frankie’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Merrick has seen “great turnout” when partnering with Staten Island-based Ciao & Cello to offer two-part limoncello- and “espresso-cello”-making courses, according to Jake DiPaula, the restaurant’s general manager. Newsday reports that Ciao & Cello has brought the experience to at least 10 restaurants on Long Island, including Robke’s in Northport and ITA Kitchen in Garden City.

The Ciao & Cello experience is a two-hour event where guests create and take home a kit to make their limoncello, using lemon, coffee, or espresso. Participants also paint the bottle where the liquor will be stored. Prices range from $95 to $120, and some restaurants offer a three-course dinner alongside the class.

The next “espresso-cello” night at Frankie’s is scheduled for March 25 at 7 p.m.

Pasta-Making Demonstrations

317 Main Street in Farmingdale offers a “pasta with love” cooking class where attendees can learn the art of pasta making. Led by Chef Eric LeVine, a champion of Food Network’s “Chopped,” the almost two-hour demonstration is described as lively and engaging, with LeVine sharing stories and extensive culinary knowledge. Dining and Cooking notes that the class is interactive, allowing attendees to ask questions while the chef cooks.

The class features a six-course meal, including dessert and four matching cocktails, for $77. A recent Valentine’s-themed class included courses such as sun gold tomato pasta with basil and garlic, corn macaroni and cheese, zucchini ravioli with creamy basil sauce, butternut squash pancetta pappardelle, and ravioli del plin, finished with tiramisu.

The next class, focusing on one-pot recipes, is scheduled for March 24 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at 317mainstreet.com.

Hands-On Ravioli Creation

At Borelli’s Taproom in Long Beach, customers can get hands-on during ravioli-making classes. Chef Bryan Grimaldi provides guidance as students create their own dough by mixing eggs, flour, water, and olive oil. Attendees learn to shape the ravioli, with instructor Bryan Grimaldi offering creative freedom. The next pasta-making class is scheduled for April 1 at 6 p.m., costing $65 per person.