I dine out often, both on Long Island where I live and Manhattan. So I can compare the two. I cannot really say anything about the other boroughs (counties) of New York City as I am there so seldom. A resort area like the Hamptons during the season should not be considered typically Long Island.
Both Long Island and Manhattan restaurants offer restaurants in different styles, cuisines and price levels. While there are similarities there are some interesting differences.
In Manhattan, there are many cheap places that are only open for breakfast and lunch that serve a working-class crowd. We have many inexpensive delis on Long Island but they are usually open until 6 or 7pm in the evening. NYC has many more night workers that are concentrated in certain neighborhoods.
At the other end of the price range, Manhattan has many more "expense account" lunch places. I suspect this has to do with our different industries on Long Island and the generally somewhat lower pay.
Servers on Long Island usually do not look like they could be models. However, servers on Long Island seem more genuinely friendly. Outside of diners, no server in Manhattan has called me "honey", "baby" or "sweetie." Servers on Long Island are more likely to be parents. There are many less waiters in Long Island restaurants than Manhattan.
Ages of diners differ. Long Islanders are slightly higher in median age than Manhattanies. We Long Islanders take children, old people and fat people to restaurants, whereas in Manhattan they seem to be prohibited in many restaurants.
The looks discrimination in Manhattan is quite evident. If you are good-looking or with someone good-looking you will get better tables and better service in Manhattan. This doesn’t seem to work on Long Island.
Prices are lower on Long Island then Manhattan, at all levels I believe. I challenge anyone to prove that Manhattan serves better food.
One curiousity is the inferiority complex that some Long Islanders suffer from leading them to dub their restaurant, bar or nighclub "Manhattan-style." What exactly this means I haven’t determined.
Long Island boasts ocean views at all price levels. Prime in Huntington offers excellent food with a beautiful view.
If you visit New York City, get out of Manhattan and dine out on Long Island. You may like it very much.
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