Oh Captain

There's a new seafood restaurant in town and it's darn good. Not only can you get good food at the Greek Captain Seafood Restaurant in Huntington Station, but you also get a lot of it.

Speaking from experience, our personal favorites from the menu include the Grilled Salmon over Salad for $12.99 (it's HUGE) and the Sauteed Shrimps and Scallops with Vegetables over rice or pasta (complete dinner $11.99). Sources tell us that the Fried Calamari is also delicious (we'll try it next time).

If you're looking for a formal dining experience, or if you like having wine or a cocktail with your meal, this isn't the place for you (we don't think they've got a liquor license). But, if you're looking for tasty food, large portions and quick meals, you must try Greek Captain Seafood Restaurant. You'll thank us and the captain.

GREEK CAPTAIN SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LOCATION:

195 Walt Whitman Road

Huntington Station, NY 11746

FAX: 631-629-4255

www.GreekCaptain.com

IMAC Closes

It is our job to inform our readers about the wonderful places to go and things to see on Long Island. Last year we told you about the IMAC Theater in Huntington (IMAC). This wonderful venue provided Long Islanders (and those from all over) with some truly phenomenal concerts and shows for almost 30 years. There is no question that the IMAC brought musical legends to Long Island, and that the theater itself was a cultural center. That is why we are sad to report that this very special Long Island Theater closed permanently this month.

Some of you may already have heard about this, but we felt we needed to post this information not only to inform our readers about the closing but to let the folks at IMAC know that the theater will be missed. Thank you for sharing your stage with us over the years.

LIV A Little

Now you can put the "Long Island" back into your Long Island Iced Tea with LIV Vodka. Distilled and bottled in Baiting Hollow, LIV (rhymes with jive) Vodka is made from 100% potatoes, which are grown right on the North Fork! 

This local distillery, said to be the first on Long Island since the 1800s, is housed within an historic barn, which was restored from 2001-2006. 

To have your vodka and drink it too, stop at the barn, located at 2182 Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow. If you're not going to be in the area, you can also find LIV Vodka at various restaurants and stores, including Stew Leonard's in Farmingdale.

You should also know that LIV Vodka was compared to Grey Goose and Chopin in a 2008 blind taste test conducted by LI Business News, and it passed with flying colors. Scoring an 85, LIV got some Strong Island points for its texture, smoothness, aroma and finish. We've had it alone and in mixed drinks and agree that the stuff is good (and we're not just saying that because we like supporting our local businesses). Do yourself a favor and, the next time you head out to Long Island's wine country, try some of Long Island's Vodka too.

DISTILLERY LOCATION:

LIV Vodka

2182 Sound Avenue

Baiting Hollow, NY  11933

631-630-9322 

www.lispirits.com

 

Buffalo Roam...on Long Island

Spring is really here and we've already taken several rides out to Long Island's North Fork looking for interesting places to see and things to do so that we can keep sharing this information with you! 

You'll never believe what we discovered on our last trip - buffalo! That's right folks. Buffalo roam on Long Island!

Don't let anyone tell you that the only way to see buffalo is to go to Yellowstone National Park (although we have to admit, Yellowstone is pretty cool and you should definitely go if you get the chance)! That said, seeing buffalo right here on Long Island is definitely a unique experience.

To locate the buffalo, head to Roanoke Avenue. As you're driving on Roanoke, you will come to a sign for a farm. Turn here. From the road, through the fence, you can watch the animals grazing. We were lucky enough to observe some babies last weekend - so cute!

Get Oriented at Orient Beach State Park

Many of you may not be brave enough to hit the beach in Orient Point in the winter, but for those of you who like the outdoors and don't mind the cold (or the fact that the snack bar is closed this time of year), this eastern-most point on the North Fork of Long Island is beautiful all year around. 

According to our friends at WikipediA, this park was designated a National Natural Landmark in April, 1980. It's home to a rare forest containing red cedar black-jack oak trees and prickly-pear cactus. You can walk along the wood deck that overlooks Gardiner's Bay and take in the beautiful views.  On a clear day you might see Gardiner's Island and the Montauk Peninsula in the distance (we did).

We had a great time collecting shells, listening to the waves and watching the birds. 

Whether you head to Orient Beach State Park in the winter or summer, we're sure you'll like what you see.

ORIENT BEACH STATE PARK:

At East end of North County Road (25) on the North Fork

Greenport

We like the snow in the winter, and we certainly have been getting a lot of it this year! One thing is for sure though, Long Island looks lovely covered in white. Snow shouldn't deter you from heading east. In fact, this is a great time of year to enjoy Long Island's East End - you'll have the place all to yourselves (no annoying crowds folks). 

Our suggestion this week - Greenport.

Once a whaling and ship building village, Greenport is a lovely place to spend the day or the weekend. You'll enjoy just walking around and visiting the quaint shops and eateries including the Greenport Tea Company, Verbena and other shops. 

Also stroll along the waterfront where you'll see a large bronze sculpture of an Osprey by Roberto Julio Bessin. It commemorates the Americans who lost their lives during the September 11th attack in 2001.

You'll see, the ground doesn't have to be green to enjoy the North Fork town of Greenport.

O Christmas Tree

Eleven days until Christmas! Have you put up your Christmas tree yet? This year, we decided to go straight to the local farm (figured it was a little more eco-friendly since the trees are grown right here on Long Island)!

Our tree came from Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm, in Mattituck, but there are several farms as you head out east. We think our Christmas tree is the best ever, but we might be a little biased.

At Shamrock, kids can ride the train around the farm, visit Santa (on the weekends) and have hot chocolate and popcorn.  

The trip can be fun for parents too.  There are lots of little towns and hamlets you can visit while you're on the North Fork.  If you start your day early enough you might even think about stopping at some of the wineries before you get to the farm.  Oh, and don't forget to go over to Briermere for a pie on the way home (what's better than starting your day with wine and ending it with pie?). 

FARM LOCATION:

Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm

20685 Main Road

Mattituck, NY  11952

631-298-4619

631-298-4118