Parlay staked its claim as Rockville Centre’s premier gastropub when it swung open its doors in 2014.
Situated in a small strip of storefronts on Merrick Road near the village’s west side, Parlay Gastropub is the brainchild of owner Matt McBride, who wanted to establish a place for beer enthusiasts to sample choice hops while savoring dynamic pub grub.
Parlay’s menus piles on bar classics with a twist, while also reaching into less-experienced fare. On the appetizer list, the Baked Mac and Cheese, bolstered with gruyere, gouda, manchego and cheddar cheeses, along with chorizo and poblano pepper for good measure, shares space with Peking Duck Steamed Buns, complete with duck confit and hoisin sauce.
The ubiquitous selection of chicken wings is also available, with Parlay going well beyond the standard buffalo. The pub offers Maple Bourbon BBQ, Asian sesame, white wine teriyaki, sweet chili and more. The Maple Bourbon BBQ wings, prepared with house-made barbecue sauce, perfectly bridges the gap between sweet and heat with its sticky glaze and exquisitely fried exterior.
Parlay boasts three kinds of mussel bowls, while the smell of freshly baked bread permeates the air at Parlay thanks to four selections of flatbreads including Margherita, BBQ duck, grilled shrimp and the southwest, a blend of blackened chicken, black bean salsa and more.
The dinner menu blends burgers and sandwiches with fork-and-knife jobs like Chicken & Waffles, Fish & Chips, a braised pork shank and grilled skirt steak. The burgers feature a proprietary blend of beef ground daily, using only hormone- and antibiotic-free USDA beef. A good burger is pub 101, and the Parlay Burger passes the test with roasted green chiles, avocado, aged cheddar, bacon and cilantro aioli on a brioche bun.
Vegetarians can get in on the fun as well, as Parlay’s veggie burger is no garden-variety frozen patty. It features a house-made patty reminiscent of falafel, with greens, tomato, cheddar and avocado spread on an English muffin. Other popular between the bread options include the buttermilk fried chicken roll, prime rib French dip and a grown-up grilled cheese. Burgers and sandwiches are served with toasted tots or French fries, but plenty of sides are available as well. For a shot of necessary nutrients, try the crispy Brussels sprouts or the garlicky asparagus spears.
More than just a spot for dinner, Parlay was voted in the top 100 brunches in America by Open Table—so be sure to stop in Saturdays and Sunday for a decadent blend of sweet and savory brunch options.
See the rest of Steve Mosco’s food tour of Rockville Centre: Top of the Chops and Impressive Eats.
