Open: The Good Life in Massapequa Park

Everyone wants a taste of The Good Life —  a least that’s how it looked in Massapequa Park on a recent evening when I stopped into this bustling English-style pub with an upbeat name. Here, chef Ryan Augusta (of the former Maxwell & Dunne's in Plainview) puts an inventive spin on an array of pub classics.

“Half an hour,” was the estimate given for the time it would take to get seated; it turned out to be only 15 minutes. Did I take it personally that my guy hardly looked at me throughout dinner? Not really; it was hard to compete with so many football games playing on so many TV screens encircling the room.

For starters, I liked the “bbq hog wings” (ribs, actually) glazed with root beer bbq sauce. I was surprised that the somewhat oily pot-stickers were deep fried rather than pan-fried on one side, as is usually the case. What really impressed me, though, was Augusta’s take on shepherd’s pie, served bubbling hot in a casserole. It featured tender beef stew in gravy topped with a lovely parsnip puree and, finally, a crust made of home-fries and Cheddar.

The menu also features salads, sandwiches and burgers at economical prices; entrees range from $12 (penne with tomato vodka sauce) to $19 (skirt steak). If brews are your passion, know that there are 24 on tap, 72 in bottles and three in cans.

The Good Life is at 1039 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park, 516-798-4663.

Shepherd's pie at The Good Life, Massapequa Park