Reality show picks Plum location

BY JESSICA LYONS

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 11:40 AM EDT

Bayside restaurant Plum had some special dinner guests on Tuesday, October 13 while scenes of the new SOAPnet reality show “Bank of Mom and Dad” were filmed there.

Each episode of the show focuses on a woman who is in her 20s and is suffering from debt. In an attempt to fix the situation, the woman’s parents move in to help their daughter learn better spending habits. A financial expert also assists.

Plum owner Kostas Kantlis said that the show called him because they were looking for a restaurant in Bayside with a lounge setting. He said he was very happy to have been selected for something special.

Tracey Finley, the supervising producer of the show, said that Plum was selected because the woman for that particular episode lived in the area, and Plum reflected her

“‘Sex & the City’ lifestyle.”

There were several different scenes being shot at Plum. Kantlis explained that they included a restaurant scene, dinning setting and lounge scene.

Kantlis, who was born and raised in Bayside and now lives in Bayside Hills, said that, along with this being good exposure for Plum, it will be “very good” for the area. He said that usually Manhattan is seen on television, so it is nice for people to see more of the neighborhood.

“It’s a pleasure to have something like this done,” Kantlis said, adding that he feels honored. He also said that he is all about the community and bringing things to the area.

Kantlis said that he is open to more filming taking place at Plum, which has been open for about three years and offers American cuisine.

Finley, who is also a resident of Floral Park, said that she would recommend Plum to anyone. She said that it had a good vibe, food and drinks.

“It’s been great,” Finley said of the filming experience. “They’re awesome. It’s a great location.”

Plum is located at 47-39 Bell Boulevard. For more information, visit www.plumbaysideny.com.

[Editors Note: See Victoria Schneps-Yunis’ dining review of the food at Plum on page 5 of this section.]

“Bank of Mom and Dad” airs at 10 p.m. on Wednesdays. To find out more about the show, visit SOAPnet’s web site, sn.soapnet.go.com.