Please mention The Long Islander Newspapers when doing business with our advertisers. LongIslanderNews.com THE LONG-ISLANDER • OCTOBER 31 , 2019 • 13 t o h S g i B / o IC t MUS o h P Big Shot’s DelGuidice Plays One For Veterans By Peter Sloggatt Billy Joel is, of course, the boss. DelGuidice [email protected] has been lead guitarist for the Billy Joel Band since 2016, around the time of Billy’s epic concert Mike DelGuidice is lead guitar for Billy Joel’s band when they’re on the road or playing the Madison Square Garden There’s a tradition at The Paramount: every at the Huntington venue. In fact, that concert was residency. When they’re not, he and his bandmates are Big Shot, the premier Billy Joel Tribute Band. Big Shot’s Nov. 16 headliner who performs there is presented on DelGuidice’s debut performance with the band. show at The Paramount is a fundraiser for General Needs, a locally based veterans organization. show night with a brick. The brick is custom He’d had great success leading Big Shot, which engraved with The Paramount logo, the name of is universally considered the premier Billy Joel “Both fulfill me in different ways,” DelGuidice November show at The Paramount will be a the act, the date they played the venue. tribute band anywhere. Legend has it that Joel said. “The Garden is the Garden. There’s no tribute to veterans, and a fundraiser for General An odd tradition, perhaps. It’s a play on the heard DelGuidice performing and was so blown comparison. But when I’m with Billy, it’s very Needs, a locally based non-profit that helps Pink Floyd lyrics from The Wall. Every away he hired him on the spot. clear I’m a supporting act. The whole band is homeless Long Island veterans by providing performance is “…another brick in the wall.” “I had been rehearsing with the band but the there to support him,” he said. “With Big Shot, basic necessities such as new clothing, shoes and Mike DelGuidice has so many bricks he paved Paramount show was the first time I played with the responsibility is all on me. It’s not just playing socks, toiletries, and household goods. a walkway in the garden of his Long Island home them publicly,” DelGuidice said. “Talk about and singing, it’s talking to the audience between “It’s always a great night. When we do with them. grinning from ear to ear. I made so many mistakes, songs, communicating with the rest of the band. ‘Goodnight Saigon’ we bring them all up on stage. “And I still have more,” DelGuidice said in I kept hoping the rest of the band was covering for It’s non-stop.” They have a great time,” DelGuidice said, adding a telephone interview from his Florida home me, or that maybe my guitar wasn’t plugged in.” DelGuidice has a soft spot for The Paramount. that Lonnie Sherman and the folks at General this week. “Every so often they ship a box of Blame it on nerves, because DelGuidice It is, after all, his home court. Needs are “amazing people. They’re doing things them to me.” probably knows the music as well as Billy. And “We’ve had a great run They’re like family,” on a daily basis, taking care of homeless veterans. Big Shot’s DelGuidice earns his bricks through he’s had plenty of time since then to perfect it as he said. The amount of caring and passion is incredible.” a residency at The Paramount that’s not unlike the he plays his uniquely dual roles as Billy Joel band He has a soft spot for veterans, as well. Ticket buyers for the Nov. 16 show have an one his boss has at Madison Square Garden. member, and the Piano Man himself when he’s Another tradition came together when option to purchase a $10, $20 or $50 upgrade; the Nearly every month, Big Shot sells out The touring with Big Shot. DelGuidice, TD Bank and The Paramount entirety of the donation will go straight to General Paramount, or comes close to it playing the music So how does playing to 20,000-plus at the teamed up to raise funds for Long Island Needs. of Billy Joel. Garden compare to playing the Paramount? veterans. For the third year in a row Big Shot’s Tickets are $20-$50-plus at Paramountny.com. 14 • THE LONG-ISLANDER • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 LongIslanderNews.com Please mention The Long Islander Newspapers when doing business with our advertisers. THE FOODIES Piccolo: Always Hitting The Right Notes When you walk into Piccolo’s in Huntington, you will ($30 ) served with herbed garlic butter, brussel sprouts, and be warmly welcomed and made to feel at home. The ca - sweet potato fries, as well as Piccolo’s famous Twice sually elegant setting may seem to be a paradox of Roasted Half Long Island Duck ($38) served with a pome - terms, but it is a good description of the friendly atmos - granate sauce, mixed vegetables, and basmati rice (be sure phere created by the staff coupled with their expertise in to ask George all about it) . fine dining. Whether you are greeted by Dean Philippis, There are also many great seafood dishes like the Center the owner of Piccolo , or any of the staff, you will be Cut Montauk Swordfish ($38), either in the traditional pres - treated like family from the moment you step in the entation, or Fra Diavolo style, and Shrimp Alla Peggy ($33) door. Many people who frequent this restaurant are loyal which is jumbo shrimp oreganata over capellini pomodoro. customers who have been enjoying the food and atmos - For the landlubbers, you can choose satisfying dishes such phere for many years, and whose children have grown as the Free Range Half Chicken ($28), Marinated Skirt up dining there. Steak ($38), or Center-Cut Filet Mignon ($42). Whatever As a winner of the 2019 Wine Spectator Award of Ex - you choose, rest assured it will always be fresh, moist and cellence, Piccolo ensures your dining experience will be flavorful. elegant and expertly presented, with an upscale Italian No review of Piccolo would be complete without a men - menu and extensive wine list, in a casual and gracious tion of their desserts, and the must try is the cheesecake setting . with whipped cream and strawberries, which is so light and A tasty way to begin your meal at Piccolo is with the decadent and very hard to say no to once you have tried it. Cheese Plate ($20), which highlights four different cheeses To get in an autumnal mood, be sure to sample the Warm of varying taste and texture accompanied by apricot com - Apple Crisp with vanilla gelato, or the Pumpkin Crème pote , grapes , almonds , and crackers, or the Escargot ($18), Brulee. which is perfectly seasoned with herbed garlic butter and All of their menus can be found online at Piccolorestau - crostini perfect for dipping. Both appetizers are delicious rant.net. You can also take advantage of their free delivery and presented beautifully . A new appetizer special that has service for orders over $50.00 within the geographic area a savory kick is the Fritto Misto Di Mare ($20), containing – call to check if they can reach you as it is worth trying on fried shrimp, calamari, and artichoke hearts in a chipotle the cold nights coming up . sauce. Other tasty appetizers to enjoy are the Tempura Co - Piccolo is currently taking Thanksgiving Dinner reser - conut Shrimp ($19), Creamy Burrata with Fresh Tomatoes vations for their full a la carte menu and holiday specials ($15), and Maryland Lump Crab Cakes ($19), and daily from 12pm to 8pm on Thanksgiving Day, or if you prefer, special appetizers include the Jumbo Stuffed Artichoke Piccolo owner Dean Philippis and his staff make customers feel like family. you can order their “Thanksgiving Dinner To-Go” package ($17) with seasoned breadcrumbs and melted goat cheese, where you can dine in the comfort of your own home and and Yellowfin Tuna Tartare ($18) which is served with corn This is a delicious entrée or can be shared as an appetizer. let them handle all the cooking. It is priced at $375 and tortilla crisps ($18) and is light and flavorful. Piccolo also has fresh raw bar items like clams and oysters, serves 8 to 10 people. Details are available on the website As you move through the menu to the pastas, you will and caviars that require day ahead reservations, in addition or by calling the restaurant. All reservations can be made find one of our favorites, Gnocchi Al Pesto ($25) which is to many light, flavorful salads. On the specials menu, we through their website, on Open Table , or by contacting complimented by a basil cream sauce and pignioli nuts. highly recommend the 18 oz . Grilled Pork Porterhouse them directly at 631-424-5592. RECOMMENDED Foodie favorites from Huntington’s Piccolo include, 215 Wall Street, Huntington clockwise from top left: Center 631-424-5592 Cut Montauk Swordfish; Fritto piccolorestaurant.net Misto Di Mare with fried shrimp, calamari, and artichoke hearts; Escargot; Grilled Pork Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5pm to Porterhouse 10pm Friday and Saturday, 5pm to 11 pm Sunday, 4pm to 9pm Please mention The Long Islander Newspapers when doing business with our advertisers. LongIslanderNews.com THE LONG-ISLANDER • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 • 15 SIDE DISH Compiled by Peter Sloggatt WINE DINNER AT JONATHAN’S : A four-course lineup: A first course of Diver Sea Scallops wine dinner featuring pairings with wines with roasted pepper and tomato compote is from one of California’s most cel - paired with Ridge’s 2017 Estate Chardon - ebrated wineries will take off at nay ; second course is homemade Cavatelli A two-show comedy fundraiser with, from left, comedians Rich Minervini, Bob Jonathan’s Ristorante (15 Wall with lobster, corn, leeks and tomato paired Nelson and Gemini will raise funds for Minervini’s nephew Jaser Khowessa, Street, Huntington 631-549- with Ridge, Lytton Springs, Dry Creek Val - right, who has a form of muscular dystrophy.