Let the Mardi Gras madness begin...

There's no need to wait until Fat Tuesday to start celebrating Mardi Gras, because restaurants around the island have already started to party!  

Big Daddy's (Massapequa)

This "Best of LI 2010" winner for "Best Cajun Restaurant," has a running "Fat Tuesday Countdown" on their website all year round and is the next best thing to actually being in Louisiana!  Mardi Gras Madness Week is already in progress and runs through March 8th.  Check the schedule of events on the restaurant's website for more information on specific happenings. 

Hemingway's American Bar & Grill (Wantagh)

Head to Hemingway's this Saturday, March 5th for a Mardi Gras party sponsored by Bacardi Gold.  There will be specially priced hurricances, cajun menu specials, music by Pete Mann, and of course - beads!  In case you miss it, the fun will repeat all over again on Fat Tuesday.   Rachel's Waterside Grill (Freeport) Celebrate "Mardi Gras on the Mile," at this nautical mile hotspot named "Best Seafood Restaurant" by "Best of LI," in 2011.  The scenic restaurant has been celebrating Mardi Gras since February 11th, offering a four course creole-inspired meal for $25.95pp, during two seatings (6:00 PM & 8:30 PM). The four course meal includes a choice of appetizer, mardi gras gumbo or salad, entree, and dessert.  With appetizers like stuffed oysters and crawfish jalepeno cheddar fondue, entrees like pan fried catfish and pasta jambalaya, and desserts like pecan pie ala mode or rum soaked raisin banana bread pudding with whiskey sauce, I'm sure you'll be dancing right out of your seat!  This special menu runs through Tuesday, March 8th and culminates with a fat Tuesday Party, featuring live music by The Zone. Call 516.546.0050 for reservations.

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. 

Hooray beer! Beer events are taking LI by storm...

Sometimes nothing quite beats a great brew.  Long Island is home to several breweries such as, Great South Bay Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, Black Forest Brew Haus, Greenport Harbor Brewing, just to name a few.  The emergence of new breweries and an ongoing roll of local beer events are proof that the craft beer movement is picking up speed across Long Island.  Check out the Long Island Beer Events and the LI Beer Guide Event Calendar to find out more about local beer happenings. 

Upcoming beer festivals that offer limitless tasting opportunities: 

The 5th annual Spring Craft Beer Festival will take place on March 26, 2011 at Nassau Coliseum. There will be 2 sessions: 12:30-4:00 pm and 5:30-9 pm. The festival will feature great craft beer from across Long Island and around the U.S. Find out more info and purchase advance tickets at www.springcraftbeerfestival.com. Online ticket price is $45pp, while box office tickets on event day are $55pp.  Designated drivers will be admitted for only $12.


The North Fork Craft Beer Festival will take place on August 13, 2011 at Martha Clara Vineyards and will feature 50 brewers and over 100 brews. 

One of my favorite places to try out new brews is at The Good Life in Massapequa.  I am fortunate enough to be invited to attend the upcoming beer dinner on March 8th, which will celebrate a hybrid theme based on St. Patrick's Day and Mardi Gras.  Review and pictures to follow- yum!  

I also have a particular love for Southampton Publick House (Southampton Ales & Lagers) because they make one of my favorite beers, Southampton Double White.  This Belgian white ale is “double gravity,” or a higher alcohol version of a white ale.  Double delicious, if you ask me!  Pay a visit to the cozy pub and pair your beer with a mouth watering burger or one of their many menu selections. 

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

A fake tan that is natural-looking? Yes, it is possible!

The absence of the sun has most of us looking pretty pale these days.  Luckily, modern technology has made it possible for you to keep your golden glow even through the dreary season. 


Being in the beauty biz for quite some time has brought me in contact with some of the best and the worst self-tanning products.  Through trial and error, I have found the best sunless tanning options for every budget.   


Airbrush


Beach Bum Tanning (locations throughout the tri-state area and beyond)
Having worked as an airbrush tech at the East Meadow branch of this franchise, I became a major fan of the airbrush options that they offer.
Splurge: Customized airbrush.  Call the location near you (check website) for an appointment with a trained airbrush technician.  The technician will assess your skin tone and customize the right sunless shade for you. Call for pricing. 
Save: The Mystic "My Mist" sunless tanning booth.  I have used this booth many times and have been very happy with the results.  The key to avoiding orange hands and feet is using A LOT of the barrier cream provided.  Coat your hands and feet with a thick layer of the barrier cream before entering the booth and simply wipe it away when finished.  

The Endz Salon (Montauk)
Just steps away from the beautiful beach, this salon offers various sunless tanning options.  I work as an airbrush tech here during the summer seasons and stand behind the quality products that we use.   
Splurge: Full body airbrush tan.  The technician uses California Tan products to customize and contour the perfect tan for you. (631) 668-5880 for an appointment.
Save: Stop in for a quick face spray tan and your face will look flawless within a matter of seconds.  
Products: Try any of the at-home self tanning products from SUN Laboratories.* Personal favorites include the tanning foam and dark tanning lotion.  These products will leave you looking golden brown, rather than burnt orange!
*Simply order these products online if you live out of the area


DIY Products 


Splurge: St. Tropez 
Head to the brand's website or to Sephora to try out this outstanding product line for yourself.  Different formulas range from lotions to sprays to foams.  
Save: L'Oreal Sublime Bronze
I love both the gel and foam formulas from this line that is available at most drugstores.