Bill Walters Performs Live at Winterfest

A little rain was not enough to stop LI Winterfest from playing on this past Sunday at the North Fork Vineyards.  I decided to stop by one of my favorite wineries, Peconic Bay, and I am glad that I did.  I enjoyed a glass of Nautique Espirit de Blanc while listening to local musician, Bill Walters.  Bill gave off a Jason Mraz-like vibe, which I really enjoyed.  I could definitely see him performing out in Montauk over the summer, so hopefully he will make some appearances on the South Fork!  Check out the clip below (and please pardon the other people in the frame).

Meet Long Island Cheese Master, Michael Cavaniola, this Sunday at Roanoke Vineyards

With Winterfest still underway on the North Fork, Roanoke Vineyards is celebrating the release of their 2007 Blend 2 by offering a vertical tasting all weekend (March 5th & 6th).  

This "vertical tasting," means that you taste three of Roanoke's previously released vintages, and conclude with a tasting of the brand new 2007 Roanoke Vineyards Blend 2. 

Now, to the cheese.  Local cheese master, Michael Cavaniola of Cavaniola's Gourmet Cheese Shop, Cavaniola's Wine Cellar, and Cavaniola's Kitchen in Sag Harbor, will be at Roanoke on Sunday, March 6th from 2 to 5 PM, creating fabulous cheese platters!  Check out Cavaniola's facebook page for more information and to view pictures that will have your mouth watering for some gourmet delights. 

I love Roanoke and have been a long-time fan of Cavaniola's, so I just might have to stop by myself!

Winter Wine Week at Prime starts tonight!

Prime, one of my favorite spots in Huntington, is offering many of their wines at HALF OFF their regular price from Tuesday, March 1st- Friday, March 4th.  These wines include Opus One, Robert Foley, Peter Michael, Spottswoode, Berringer Private Reserve, Shafer Hillside Select, and many more.  For example, a bottle of the La Cana Albarino from Spain, one of the "white sommelier selections," will only cost $20 (compared to the regular $40 pricetag). 


Visit the website to see a complete list of wines and wine inspired dishes offered throughout the celebration.  

Long Island Hospitality Ball to benefit The American Cancer Society

Enjoy a night filled with wonderful food, entertainment, and most of all, charitable giving. The Long Island Hospitality Ball will take place at 7:00 PM on March 21st at the beautiful Carlyle On The Green in Bethpage State Park. 

From 7:00- Midnight, sample delicious and delectable dishes prepared by Long Island's most popular chefs and restaurants. Enjoy fabulous wine, cocktails and entertainment. You will also have the opportunity to bid on amazing prizes at the silent auction and exciting raffles. Tickets are $100 and benefit the American Cancer Society.

If you are feeling up for a late night, hit the after Party @ Four Food Studio in Melville.  Bus transportation will be available courtesy of All Star Limousine from the Carlyle On The Green to Four Food Studio and then from Four Food Studio to the Huntington Hilton.  Visit the event facebook page for more information. 

Half Price Deals for Long Island Restaurants, Salons, etc.!

How come this is the first time that I have come across these promotions?!?  Check out the websites below to purchase half price deals to numerous local restaurants, salons, ski resorts, and more!

Long Island Radio Specials

Half Price Deals B103

Enjoy a "staycation" during February break...

Long Island has a lot to offer, even during the winter season.  Check out some of the places below if you and/or your kids are off this week. You don't have to go far to have fun!

Great for families:

Atlantis Marine World

This Riverhead aquarium is a personal favorite of mine.  As soon as you enter the aquarium, you will come face to face with an amazing touch-tank where you can pet sting rays and manta rays.  Check out the website for more information and daily feeding/show schedules.  

Great for couples:

After checking out the aquarium, head a few minutes east and you'll find yourselves on the North Fork wine trail!  Long Island Wine Country is brimming with things to do.  I recently read about a new bistro opening at Comtesse Therese Vineyard.  I've never been to this vineyard before, but the restaurant week lunch specials (details below) at this romantic spot look mouth-watering!  

I would definitely try this decadent dish that I spotted on the vineyard website (Brie en croute - brie, mushroom and sage from the Bistro garden served in puff pastry with local Schmitt's Farm mesclun).

NEW YORK RESTAURANT WEEK 2011

extended through Feb. 27

$24.07

3 course Lunch Prix Fixe till 4 pm

Come on in for lunch, Thursday - Sunday

$35.00 Prix Fixe dinner on Thursdays through Feb.

Also on the wine trail, Martha Clara Vineyard offering a special winter break discount to school employees with valid school ID!

Great for foodies:

Many local restaurants offer different weekly specials.  Take a night off from cooking and take advantage of promotions!

Zim Zari California Coastal Grill 

This casual Massapequa restaurant is perfect for families, but also for adults who want to meet for some margaritas.  The menu is extremely cost effective and the cuisine is flavorful.  I love the "Cali Style" fajitas which are served with bibb lettuce wraps, rather than flour tortillas.  Check out the website for special events like "Taco Tuesday," "fajita Wednesday," and "Thurdays 3 For All."

Indian Wells Tavern

This cozy Amagansett tavern offers a variety of lunch, dinner, and drink specials during the winter season (see below).  I personally love all of the entree salads and the delicious crab cakes.  After dinner, pop next door to catch a show at the legendary music club, The Stephen Talkouse.  

Indian Wells Tavern

WINTER LUNCH SPECIALS

MONDAYS — $15.00 LUNCH SPECIAL

Includes: Glass of wine or beer, soup or salad or dessert, lunch entrée

TUESDAYS

Complimentary soup or salad with purchase of a lunch entrée

WEDNESDAYS

Complimentary draft beer or glass of wine with the purchase of a lunch entrée

THURSDAYS

Complimentary dessert with the purchase of a lunch entrée

WINTER DINNER SPECIALS

SUNDAYS — THREE COURSE PRIX FIXE $19.00

MONDAYS — BREW & BURGER SPECIAL $15.00

Draft beer, burger with fries & 1/2 dozen wings

TUESDAYS — STEAK NIGHT $24.00

Appetizer, steak entrée and dessert

WEDNESDAYS — FAJITAS & 'RITAS $15.00

Chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas and discounted Margaritas

THURSDAYS — PRIME RIB NIGHT $20.00

Soup or salad and Prime Rib

NYC Restaurant Week Extended

NYC restaurant week  has once again been extended through February 28th. China Grill Management is continuing to offer specials at some of my favorite NYC restaurants. If you go to Asia de Cuba, try the short ribs and the plantain fried rice.  YUM!

BR Guest Restaurant Group partners with Bliss Spa to offer discounts..

As I talked about in an earlier post, my FAVORITE at-home face mask is the Triple Oxygen Face Mask by Bliss.
Well, make a dinner reservation at one of the restaurants below and get 20% off of the professional version of the beauty treatment!

Something for everyone...

Make your reservation for Valentine's Day weekend with us and experience an evening with decadent dishes like Blue Water Grill's Sauteed Maine Lobster & Shrimp with Hand Made Garganelli pasta and Ocean Grill's Valentine Roll with salmon, tuna, eel, shrimp tempura, & spicy aioli wrapped in pink soy paper!

• Going out with just the girls? From Saturday, February 12th through Monday, February 14th make a reservation for 4 or more at any NYC Dos Caminos and receive a 20% off spa services at Bliss and be entered to win their fabulous Triple Oxygen Treatment.

Saturday Nights of Winterfest - Dine & Stay Packages

Get away for the weekend...check out the special deals that Hotel Indigo is offering during Winterfest!

Valentine's Day Weekend at Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard..

Barrique to throw a ladies night for Super Bowl Sunday...

So ladies,  if football really isn't your bag, head over to Barrique Kitchen and Wine Bar in Babylon for a special "girls just want to have fun" ladies night on Super Bowl Sunday.  Go to the restaurant website to subscribe to the mailing list for future events.

Girls just want to have fun! on Super Bowl Sunday Special Edition Ladies Night Sunday  -  February 6, 2011 starting at 6:00 pm $5  Cosmo's, Apple & French Martinis $5  Sangria & Wines $19.50  Three course Prix Fixe Menu Psychic Readings by Mae Gift bags by Health Alternatives We will be showing - Sex in the City & the Big Game - Reserve early We sold out last year! Reservations  631-321-1175

The 4th annual LI Winterfest is almost here again... Jazz on the Vine at the wineries!

Looking for something to do on Long Island?  Long Island Culture & Wine Winterfest returns for the 4th consecutive year from February 12th- March 20th.

Take your Valentine to a few jazz concerts at the wineries and a nice dinner at one of the nearby restaurants.

Check out the event website for more detailed information.

My restaurant pick:
A Mano (Mattituck)  -  Visit the osteria/wine bar created by famous Long Island chef, Tom Schaudel, for a meal to remember!

It's almost here...make your Valentine's Day reservations before its too late!

Valentine's day weekend is right around the corner.  Many restaurants offer set menus for the holiday weekend (either in place of or in addition to the regular menu), so make sure that you call or check the restaurant's website before booking.

I personally love to make my reservations through  Opentable.com, because I gain dining points that I can redeem for a dining check!   Check out the Valentine's day section to find out more about special menus at certain restaurants in Long Island and Manhattan.

My restaurant picks:

• Restaurant Mirabelle (Stony Brook)

• 1770 House (East Hampton)   *Stay at the restaurant's inn for a romantic weekend*

Snow Buster Restaurant Specials!

Here we go AGAIN... Visit one of these restaurants tonight to take advantage of the one good thing that snow brings!

B A R R I Q U E  Snow  Blizzard  Special - Bring this email in tonight or tomorrow - Wednesday & ThursdayJanuary 26 & 27, 2011 20% off your entire Dining Check~ $50 minimum purchase ~ certain restrictions may apply This offer is good for dining in or takeout

Killington, Vermont reviews & tips to come!

Once a year,  I venture north to my favorite ski destination - Killington, VT.  I know this is mainly a blog about Long Island, but Killington is only about 5 1/2 hours away and more than worthy of a visit!

I love going to the different apres ski happy hours, dining at various restaurants, partying at the night spots, and squeezing in some skiing somewhere in between.   There are certain standby's that I visit every year, but there are also some new places that I am looking forward to checking out this time around.  

Stay tuned for postings after January 25th --- get in the know before you hit the snow! 

Standby restaurants that I will definitely be hitting and reviewing:

• The Garlic - Amazing tapas & martinis & of course garlic!
• Outback Pizza- The most amazing brick oven pizzeria/bar/club- 16 beers on tap!
• Sugar and Spice - The BEST breakfast & maple syrup factory

Standby bars that I will be dancing at:

• The Pickle Barrel- Love the name, love the place!
• The Wobbly Barn- Yes, you will wobble out of here

Favorite spa that I will hopefully be going to:

• Spa at the Woods - beautiful resort that I have stayed at many times

Click the headline to find out more about Killington and the DEW TOUR that is happening at the mountain this weekend!!!

Cooking Class at Wolffer - Only a few spots left!

Learn more at Wolffer's facebook page...

Facebook

Join Chef Jeanne Cuddy-Peretz this Sunday, January 23rd at  1:00 PM for

"Cooking with Merlot" Demo and Wine Pairing

Learn the Art of Making Delicious Hors d’oeuvres and pairing them with Wölffer Merlot!

•  Wild Mushroom Topped Bruschetta
•  Chicken and Root Vegetables Phyllo Triangles
•  Meat Balls in Tomato Sauce(a new twist on Swedish)

$35 per person, very limited space so please call Erica for a reservationat 631-537-5106 ext 17

Winter Events at Pindar Vineyard - Check it out!

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Pindar-Vineyards-Winter-Events2.html?soid=1101975164711&aid=ekYAIpTdz9s

Can't afford a trip to Europe? Visit Wolffer Estate Vineyard for a taste of Europe in the Hamptons...

I've never been to Tuscany, but whenever I take a trip to Wolffer Estate, I feel as if I am there. The North Fork wine trail is great, but there is something special about this South Fork vineyard that really sets it apart from the rest. Tucked away on Sagg Road, right off of 27 east in Sagaponack, this vineyard has one of the most beautiful tasting room's that I have ever seen. Thick wood chairs and tables, terracotta floors, and table service make a visit to this vineyard an intimate experience. The tasting flights are a little on the pricey side ($12 and up), but the pours are generous and the wine is exceptional. I have a particular love for every Chardonnay that this vineyard produces (my friends and I often order a bottle of the Chardonnay when dining at Barrique Kitchen and Wine Bar  in Babylon). The cheese plate is a MUST order and is uniquely served on a round of rustic tree bark.
Friend the vineyard on Facebook or visit the website for more information. They are presently having "Candlelight Fridays" from 5-8 with different live music acts at the tasting room. Also, the vines in the back of the tasting room will be lit up with over 15K LED lights until February- how beautiful!
Celebrity connection: The James Beard Foundation honored Martha Stewart at the vineyard on July 24, 2010 ad a part of their Chefs & Champagne New York Summer Gala.
*More detailed photos to come after my next visit, which is sure to be very soon!