LI Hospitality Ball returns, showcasing food and drink
Mia and Louis Selvaggio, siblings and partners at the Birdie Bar in Northport, will be among those honored at the 2026 Long Island Hospitality Ball. Credit: Linda Rosier
It’s been four years since the last Long Island Hospitality Ball, but the star-studded culinary showcase-fundraiser is back with a vengeance.
The event takes place on Sept. 28 and, as before, it takes over Woodbury’s Crest Hollow Country Club. Tickets are $200 and entitle the bearer to unlimited tastes from scores of local restaurants. All proceeds benefit the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.
Brian Rosenberg, one of the organizers, explained that both his partners and the participating restaurants had been stretched thin over the last three years. "Between the fact that alcohol sales are down and the minimum wage is up, everyone has been struggling." But, he said, "people missed the party, kept reaching out and said there was nowhere else on Long Island to wear a gown, a suit and tie."
More than 60 restaurants will be offering samples, including 388 in Roslyn Heights; Avianna’s Carriage House in Melville; Barrique in Babylon; The Foundry in Hicksville, Il Mulino, Limani and Prime 1024 in Roslyn; Piccolo and Posto Pazzo in Huntington; Revel in Garden City, Ruta Oaxaca in Woodbury and Patchogue; Vittorio’s and Mike’s Underground in Amityville, Birdie Bar and Robke’s in Northport and The Whales Tale in Hampton Bays.
Some noteworthy newcomers will also be in attendance, affording guests to get to know Smartwich, the Syosset sandwich specialist; ACASA, reinventing family-style Italian in Williston Park, Griffin Kitchen & Bar, Roslyn’s newest hot spot and Benvenuti, Manhasset’s acclaimed new salumeria.
Among the heavy-hitting hospitality groups making the scene will be Umberto’s, Mesita, Dirty Taco, Anthony Scotto Restaurants, Bohlsen Restaurant Group, Jerry Sbarro (Matteo’s, Rothmann’s, Louie’s, The Chas) and The James-Arlo-Piermont.
In addition to bottomless glasses of wines and spirits, entertainment will be provided by cover bands, DJs and even an "aerial showcase" by LaPlace Burlesque.
Honorees will include the Selvaggio family, owners of Robke’s and Birdie Bar, Jack LaSala of Empire Merchants, Paul Lepore of Happy Days Dispensary and nightlife impresario Nick Paccione. News 12’s Erin Colton will receive the Ed Lowe Media Award. The community will also honor the memory of Lenny Oliva, who died in May. His last project was Avianna’s Carriage House and the Oliva family still owns Prato 850 in Commack and Bar Grazie in Massapequa Park.
For more information or to buy tickets go to longislandhospitalityball.org.
