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 Joe Alicata is a 2009 graduate of Northport High School, he has his B.A. in Public Administration from the University at Albany. Joe works in the insurance industry, is a member of the Advisory Board for the Northport High School Academy of Finance (AOF) program, and is a Director for Northport Student's Mean Business. He can be reached at etrestaurants@gmail.com |
| Nestled on the border of Nassau and Suffolk counties, right at the edge of the Town of Huntington, lies one of the most spectacular pieces of Long Island’s Gold Coast heritage: The Otto Kahn Estate, more commonly known as Oheka Castle. Built in 1919 by financier and philanthropist Otto Kahn (who served as the inspiration for the Monopoly man) and later purchased and restored by Long Island businessman and philanthropist Gary Melius, Oheka Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as a world class hotel and event center. In addition to its lodging and event offerings, Oheka provides a unique dining experience that transports patrons to a time long since passed. While Oheka is a place most Long Islanders probably associate with weddings and events, and the rest of the world associates with Taylor Swift, as the Oheka served as the backdrop for the music video for her 2014 song “Blank Space”, the castle is the perfect place to escape on a summer afternoon, or to wow that special someone with an exquisite dinner. Diners are treated to breathtaking views of the historically accurate and meticulously manicured gardens and grounds, along with the classic European style architecture that gives Oheka its unique character. On this trip, I stopped by on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy a late lunch. Soon after being seated, diners are treated to a delicious take on the generic breadbasket that dons many restaurant tables across America: warm, crusty, seasoned bread served with a scallion cheese sauce. A cheese sauce that will seriously have you considering using your spoon to finish off what you missed with the bread. Once you have had a chance to enjoy your crusty bread and heavenly cheese sauce, give the lobster and shrimp meatballs a try. Served with a lobster bisque dipping sauce, these meatballs come packed with nice sized pieces of lobster and shrimp and are fried to perfection. If seafood is not your thing, the burrata mozzarella is certainly a crowd pleaser, served with sliced beefsteak tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers and a balsamic reduction. When you are ready to move along to your main dish, Oheka offers a variety of dishes, from more traditional entrees to soups, salads and sandwiches. The Kelly Steak, a delicious combination of sliced grilled filet mignon, broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, caramelized onions and marinara sauce served on a toasted garlic hero was my personal favorite. The steak is cooked to perfection, and the vegetables provide the perfect texture contrast to the steak and warm, crunchy bread. If you are not a steak fan but are still in the mood for a sandwich, The Elena is a tasty alternative. A delectable combination of grilled chicken, avocado, bruschetta and fresh mozzarella topped with basil oil and a balsamic reduction, it’s a wonderfully balanced dish that leaves diners asking for more. So if you are looking for a unique spot to grab a meal that is not too far from home, not prohibitively expensive and is a virtual time machine, Oheka Castle is the place to be. |
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20 lucky winners will win $500 each in prizes totaling $10,000. 