“People drive here just for the fries,” said Chris Evans, 39, of Oceanside. He and his partners, Brian Karp, 40, and Jim Volz, 42, own the Rockville Centre branch of Press 195, as well as the original, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, established in 2002, and another in Bayside, Queens, which opened in 2005.
Pressed sandwiches, for which the restaurant is named, are also a draw. Forty kinds of panini start with specialty ciabatta, which comes from a Bronx bakery. Fillings are hearty and creative, like grilled steak, avocado, sweet onion jam and fresh mozzarella with a creamy roasted pepper dressing ($9.50). A refreshing pickle slaw is served on the side.
The signature pressed knish sandwiches here are meals in themselves ($8.50). A potato knish is split and stuffed with combinations like roast beef, cheddar, mustard and onion jam. “It’s a Sunday roast sandwich,” Mr. Karp said. “It has your meat, your potato, everything you need.”
Salads (like chicken citrus salad at $11), soups (vegetarian chili at $5.50) and burgers ($11 to $11.50, including fries) round out the menu. Customers can build their own salads and sandwiches with add-ons like portobello mushrooms and prosciutto (75 cents to $3.25 per item).
The stylish space has cafe tables, banquette seating and a full bar furnished with plasma televisions and an extensive menu of craft beers ($4 to $18), wines ($6.50 to $12 a glass) and martinis ($11).
Press 195, 22 North Park Avenue, Rockville Centre; press195.com. (516) 536-1950. Kitchen open daily, Sunday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The bar is open later.
