Restaurant review - View, Oakdale

True to its name, View offers expansive glimpses of the Great South Bay and beyond. Once part of the William K. Vanderbilt estate, the restaurant features an excellent menu, exemplary service and enough space for wedding receptions. High ceilings are complemented by muted tones on the walls, and blue-and-white Chinese urns adorn the windowsills. The large windows face the water, but even in the coldest months, keep out the chill. During warm weather, you can enjoy outdoor dining and the patio includes a canopied area for those who prefer to dine in the shade. A separate bar and grill complements the main dining room.

An elegant waterside restaurant, View has a storied history. Once part of William K. Vanderbilt's former estate, "Idle Hour," (its street address, Consuelo Place, is named after Vanderbilt's daughter), the current restaurant is a reincarnation of the former Riverview Restaurant.

Now with a contemporary feel, View exudes nautical panache with its tall windows that reveal the Great South Bay just outside. Menus are seasonal and a focus on local resources and also include a sushi bar.

My friends and I enjoyed the bounty of the seas, including Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes, tastefully served with Meyer lemon aioli, mango and avocado. The excellent Thai Calamari came with the exotic blend of peanuts, cilantro, lime and a sweet chili glaze.

Entrees included Seafood Fra Diavolo, delightfully spicy with just a hint of sweetness. The buccatini pasta was a tad overdone, but the dish of lobster, shrimp, mussels, scallops, clams and cockles, comes highly recommended.

My husband enjoyed the Lobster Pasta: hand-made cavatelli, with a wealth of Maine lobster, pancetta, sweet vidalia onions and more.

The wine list is excellent, and you can order by the bottle or by the glass.

For dessert, don't miss the decadent Valrhona Chocolate Bomb, served with tasty peanut butter gelato.

View is a good place for families as well as couples. With soft candles flickering on tables, it makes for a romantic venue. Just how romantic? As we left, we saw a man suddenly drop onto a bended knee as he proposed to the woman he loves. She said yes, and everyone in the restaurant enjoyed the dollop of romance with their meal.

View address: 3 Consuelo Place, Oakdale, NY
Phone:(631) 589-2694
Website: www.viewoakdale.com
Cuisine: Contemporary American and Seafood
Hours: Hours vary by the seasons. Please visit www.viewoakdale.com for current opening times.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.