By J. Davis
Harvest Buffet is a large, active, minimally decorated, clean restaurant with lots of tables and banquet stations. One of the advantages of eating at this buffet is you can eat in any order you prefer. You can even start with soft ice cream and Petits Fours or partake of the fresh fruit bar. Tea of your choice is brought by your server but other beverages are available on a self-help basis.
This is a very popular place that boasts of the number of offerings of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian and American foods offered at the many counters and stations. It is a place where there is bound to be things that appeal to any appetite. The offerings are constantly being replaced or refilled.
You can start with a variety of hot soups. One interesting soup is a combination of egg drop with crab meat. The pungent hot & sour soup is a popular selection. If salads are your preference for a starter, you will find assorted greens, salad additions and dressings from which to build your own dish.
The raw bar features sashimi and there is sushi and hand rolls as well. Attractive dim sum-type hot items are available as are bowls of wasabi, slices of pickled ginger and soy sauce. If your taste runs to little bites, try the dumplings — some vegetable-stuffed (the classic shui mai) — or the beef or chicken satays (on a bamboo skewer).
Fish dishes are house specialties. At any given time, you may find razor clams, snails, boiled shrimp, sea bass with teriyaki sauce, sole with crabmeat stuffing or a baked scallop mini casserole topped with cheese. The tasty seafood fettuccine is another good choice. One of my favorites is the garlic-flavored seaweed salad.
The attentive attendants who bring you your beverages also are quick to clear the table. As you finish one plate, you can go and make your next selection.
If you prefer fowl, there are a number of assorted classics from which to choose. We found blackened chicken breasts, General Tso’s chicken, Peking duck and chicken with broccoli.
If Korean cuisine is your choice, try the calamari or Korean pancakes as well as kim chi or the whole female caplin fish in salt and pepper.
Vegetarians will find many dishes from the excellent long Chinese green beans to sautéed button mushrooms and the classic Buddha’s delight.
There are noodles in every form from cellophane to lo mein to Japanese udon; each treated differently. Also available is a large container of rice.
Since the 160-or-so offerings change daily and may vary from lunch to dinner, you may not find some of the aforementioned at any one time. But you will find an incredible edible array every time you visit.
Ask for chopsticks and have a go!
The Bottom Line
Outstanding number of dishes offered, always freshly prepared and adequately described in English. You can’t go wrong with any dish selected so try all that you can eat. What you don’t see today may be available tomorrow so come frequently and look for your favorites.
Harvest Buffet
14 Northern Blvd., Great Neck
516-498-1888
Price for an all-you-can-eat meal is fixed per person (special price for children) by the day of the week and the time of day. A 12 1/2 percent gratuity is a added on every bill. Take out as doggie bag is priced by weight.
Lunch
Mon-Fri…$10.95
Sat…$12.95 (selection different).
Dinner
Mon-Thurs…$18.95.
Fri-Sun & holidays…$21.95.
Brunch
Sun and holidays…$13.95
Cuisine: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Italian & American
Service: Prompt, efficient, English-speaking
Hours: Open 7 days. L: 11-3:30, D: 4-11. Brunch Sun. & holidays: noon -3:30
Parking: Adjoining, wrap-around parking lot.
Takeout: Yes, priced by weight; see menu.
Catering: Available
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Credit Cards: Yes, major cards accepted
