Father’s Day Eats: Dos Caminos Modern Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Lounge

By

-

June 14, 2015

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 radio 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

  When searching for the perfect place to take Dad this Father’s Day, the menu of options is almost limitless. Brunches, lunches and prix fixe dinners. This is all fine and dandy, if your Dad is the type to do brunches, lunches and prix fixes. Mine on the other hand, not so much.
   My Dad will opt for the prix fixe dinner every so often, but as someone with a hilariously entertaining personal space issue, he is not exactly cut out for brunch buffets; and as far as lunch goes, he is pretty easy to please, just hand over the cold cuts and stand back. That said, my family and I decided to roll the dice this year and we’ll be taking him some place he has never been, in Manhattan… for Mexican food. You can almost hear the SNL writers calling.
   What will keep this venture from devolving into public embarrassment and utter failure is the venue. Dos Caminos Modern Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Lounge. A member of the BR Guest Hospitality group, Dos Caminos has four locations in New York City: Dos Caminos Soho, Dos Caminos Meatpacking, Dos Caminos Park Avenue and Dos Caminos Third Avenue.
   I have been to the location on Third Avenue (825 Third Avenue between 50th and 51st) previously with a colleague of mine, and fell in love with the place immediately. When you first walk in you are welcomed into a warm, open space with high ceilings and a bar on your left with plenty of seating. For my reservations, we were led downstairs into a brightly lit and lively dining area, with its own corner bar and numerous modern art pieces dotting the landscape. The atmosphere is fantastic, and the service is as well.
   Being a guacamole enthusiast, I recommend the appetizer plate of guacamole and salsas to start your meal. Your only problem will be if you order the portion for two and not four, as this may very well be the best guacamole I have ever had; perfectly seasoned and creamy while not being overpowered with onion, garlic or spice as is sometimes the case with restaurant guac.
   For dinner, Dos Caminos tackles a number of Mexican staples with their own unique flare. From tacos and empanadas to quesadillas and burritos, Dos Caminos offers flavorful spins on contemporary favorites. My personal favorite and a dish I will remember for some time, the Oaxacan-Style Shrimp Quesadilla. Served open face, it is almost like a pizza, with the perfect amount of melty, cheesy wonderfulness balanced with the light and fresh seafood atop it.
   If you are looking for a contemporary place to take your Dad this Father’s Day, and don’t mind making the trip into the city, Dos Caminos offers a unique dining experience that will make this Father’s Day memorable. Check them out online at www.doscaminos.com. Happy Father’s Day!

Protecting for the Perfect Tan

By

webpublisherpro

-

June 14, 2015

Stephanie recently graduated from Syracuse University where she studied Communication and Rhetorical Studies. She now works in the television industry. Outside of her work, she enjoys traveling, watching television, reading and being with family and friends.

  With summer finally just around the corner, we’re all desperate for a little sunshine, a lot of beach and major tan lines. As the sunny weather starts to roll in more permanently, it’s important not to get caught up in the excitement and the desire for a perfect tan and take care of our skin properly to prevent burns and damage. Although your trendy fedoras, mirror reflective sunglasses and sports team spirited baseball caps can play a part in helping to keep your skin safe and shaded from harsh UV rays, extra protection is always best.
   Suntan lotion gets a bad rap for all the wrong reasons. Contrary to popular belief, you can still get tan through your lotion. However, with the warmer weather bringing in intense rays, your skin needs that extra protection to keep from burning. Mustela, Europe’s leading baby skincare and stretch mark brand, has developed a line of sun products that are 100% mineral with naturally derived sunscreen filters Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide to ensure that delicate skin (baby or adult) is not irritated by chemical ingredients. Both the Mustela Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Lotion and Stick were awarded the Melanoma International Foundation’s Seal of Approval, ensuring they will protect both you and baby. Mustela’s products allow you to feel good about your skin, enjoy the sun and also feel protected from harsh UV rays that could result in burns and more damaging results as the warmer weather sticks around.
   Mustela has three perfect products available at a reasonable cost to protect you all summer long. You won’t be feeling any summertime sadness at the end of the season when you are left with beautifully tanned, healthy and undamaged skin. Mustela Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Lotion ($22.00) is a water and sweat resistant lotion that is perfect to slather on before heading out for the day. Mustela Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Mineral Sunscreen Stick ($16.00) is a pocket/purse size stick that is easy to carry around for touch-ups and/or use on smaller areas such as your nose, ears or lips to protect them from burning. The Mustela After Sun Hydrating Spray ($15.00) is the perfect revival product for your skin that was created to be used at the end of the day to instantly hydrate the skin following sun exposure with the help of Jojoba oil and Cupuacu butter. These products can be purchased at MustelaUSA.com.
    You only look as good as you feel and using Mustela products help to ensure you feel your best and are protected from the sun while you enjoy the pool, the beach and any other kind of outdoor activity without worrying about sun damage. Your trendy hat and sunglasses can serve as a fashionable accessory instead of your only form of protection.

Father Knows Best

By

webpublisherpro

-

June 14, 2015

Paul A. Lauto, Esq. received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC (Now
located at 565 Route 25A, Suite 207, Miller Place, NY 11764; (631) 928-1430;
www.liattorney.com), with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types
of accident cases and more.

Every Father's Day we celebrate Dads and express our gratitude for all they do year round for their families. Today's modern day father (and mother) has to wear many multitasking hats and bares a multitude of responsibilities in taking care of their families. But those responsibilities, which fathers willingly accept, do not necessarily end when they have passed on. Although we don't like to think about and plan for our own demise, if you have children and want to help insure that they are taken care of in accordance with your wishes after you are gone, it is a necessity. In order to reach that goal, if you have children you should have a Last Will and Testament.
   A Last Will and Testament is a legal document that upon your demise directs, among other things, exactly how you want your assets and money to be dispersed and appoints Guardians and Trustees for the care of minor children. If a parent or parents are to suffer an unfortunate tragedy and leave behind minor children, the Will is the document that will help insure that the people entrusted to care for your children are those hand picked by you (not a Judge), who love your children and who willingly accept the enormous responsibility of being their caretaker. In addition to and in combination with a Will, it is recommended that a parent also have a Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy and Living Will.
   The Power of Attorney essentially appoints a fiduciary to conduct your financial affairs should you become incapacitated, the Health Care Proxy appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself and the Living Will essentially directs what type of care you want administered to you if you are in a grave medical condition. Accordingly, all of these documents are considered essential to your legal plan.
   Perhaps one of the other main factors to consider, is whether or not any extensive estate planning is needed relative to estate tax purposes. However, recent changes in New York State law has the New York State resident exemption level currently set at $3,125,000.00. On April1, 2016 it will increase to $4,187,500.00, on April 1, 2017 it will increase to $5,250,000.00 and on January 1, 2019 it will increase to match the federal level which is currently set at $5,430,000.00. Therefore if your total taxable estate is less than the state and federal exemption levels, extensive and expensive estate planning documents to protect against estate tax may well be unnecessary.
   Today's modern day father appears to no longer emulate the role played by Robert Young in the popular 1950's television show. However with all your proper Will planning in order, you may still hear your children say,"Father Knows Best."

Home Made Wee Killer

By

webpublisherpro

-

June 14, 2015

Bill Lauto is an Environmental Scientist and Energy Consultant who has been
teaching how we can save our money,
energy, environment, and health, since 1982. Mr. Lauto operates GoingTrueGreen.com and his work has been published in magazines such as: Consumer Report, Kiplinger's Financial and Business Ethics.

Summer 2015 will be upon us in just a few days and weeds are already everywhere! We go through great lengths to eliminate weeds. However, what we must ask is: How do we dispose of the weeds in our lawn?

A) Do you whack them with a noisy gasoline and oil operated weed whacker?
B) Do you spray them with one of the many weed killers on the market?
C) Do you pull them out manually?
D) Do you use an electric operated cutter or edger?

Best answer is: NONE OF THE ABOVE

I refuse to use my hands to pull out weeds, just as much as I refuse to use a noisy weed whacker or poisonous weed killer sprays. So before you go to the stores and buy the latest batch of weed killer, you may wish to consider this effective recipe:

Mix 80 percent organic vinegar, 15 percent sea salt, 5 percent dish-washing liquid. You can use a spray bottle to apply. I pour my mixture onto the weeds very carefully for the best results. By the next day, the weeds and grass in the cracks are shriveled up.

FYI: The dish-washing liquid cuts through the weed's protective coating of oil on the leaves, thus allowing the salty vinegar to be absorbed better. Vinegar alone does not kill off some stronger weeds. Especially if it rains within a day or two.
By adding sodium chloride (NaCl) aka salt, plus a little dish-washing liquid, your success rate will be far greater.
The studies on weed killer sprays show one of the three worst toxic chemicals in weed killer sprays is being found in many groundwater locations. In New York, the DEC stated 124 detections of atrazine in 51 locations of groundwater, just on Long Island, New York. Our groundwater is our "Drinking" water!

Atrazine is dangerous and is an unacceptable risk to our health and our environment. After being banned in the European Union back in 2004, the United States is just starting to follow with banning the product. This chemical has the largest use, 76 million pounds dumped on our soil each year.
Scientific studies proved atrazine is an endocrine disruptor and has the potential for birth defects. The other two pesticides used in weed killers are metalaxyl and imidacloprid. Neither have been
addressed as of yet.

Now everything is relative and yes, this home made recipe is a STRONG chemical mixture and must NOT be left around the house within reach of children and animals. When I mix some, I use the following three steps:

First: I only make what I use.

Second: Spray onto weeds when small and young, if a few drops land on some nearby flowers, they will not die off. The leaf may dry up, but unlike weed killers in stores, the flowering plant will not be killed. If a drop of store bought brands lands on a leaf, it will spread throughout the plant and probably kill the whole plant.

Third: I spray or pour on in sensible amounts with no rain for a few days. The lingering effect depends on how much was applied and how fast that amount will dissipate. The home made mix does dissipate after a few rainy days and will not hinder the growth of new flowers or grass in the future.

Your Secret Gift

By

webpublisherpro

-

June 14, 2015

You can see John Salustri’s
furniture designs at
harborwoodfurniture.com.
You can also email him at john@harborwoodfurniture.com

With Father’s Day right around the corner, now’s the perfect time to launch a new hobby. Let’s face it, your golf swing isn’t getting any better, and any fish you’ve pulled out of the Great South Bay is probably too toxic to eat. So why not join the legions of happy family men who find fulfillment (even more fulfillment than riding the Long Island Rail Road 14 hours a week) in a brand new DIY workshop?
(Note to the women reading this: All of what you’re going to read applies to you as well. But the editors asked me to write a column for Men Stuff, so here we are. Just pretend we didn’t have this conversation.)
   But, you ask, what does it take to set up a terrific DIY workshop? About $50,000–or as much as a year’s membership at the Golf Club. But that’s top-of-the-line, fully loaded, retractable-sun-roof DIY. There are ways of getting in for much cheaper that will yield the same results. So here are some tips for accomplishing just that:
   Define Your Area (Part 1): What interests you? Do you want to follow my lead and build furniture? (I’m flattered. Really.) Would you prefer to garden? Or maybe woodcarving is your thing. It’s an important question because, obviously, each discipline has its own lingo, demands its own tools and will develop in you a unique skill set. (Keep this last in mind. We’re going to get back to it.)
   Investigate Before You Invest. Google your chosen hobby. Or spend some time in the local library. (Remember those?) There is no shortage of good–and bad–advice on how to get started on any hobby path. Read and decide what works best for you, what tips make sense and how to proceed.
   Define Your Area (Part 2): Once you know what direction you want to go in, you need a dedicated place. I guarantee you; if you keep your brand new garden tools in their boxes or squirreled away in whatever available shelving there is in the garage, your hobby will tank quicker than an Adam Sandler movie.
   I’m in a slightly different boat because I build furniture for both fun and profit, but the message is the same: my tools are accessible, always sharp and neatly arrayed in a dedicated space.
   Have a Focal Point: In most cases, this will be the workbench. Going back to the garden analogy, build, buy or borrow a gardening table complete with shelving for pots and tools and drawers for seeds and pertinent magazine articles (or whatever it is that gardeners collect). The focal points in my shop are the workbench and table saw. That’s my go-to tool, and my shop is arranged around it for maximum efficiency.
   Buy Good. But Buy Well. In all hobbies–golf, fishing, woodcarving, car repair–you can always pay more. You rarely have to. Buy what you need and if there’s any budgetary wiggle room for upgrades, do so. Here’s a great example of how much the prices can swing. You can get into woodworking for as little as $300 for a small portable table saw (remembering that you get what you pay for in terms of stability and accuracy) up to thousands for the gee-whizziest, digitized, rock-solid saw on the market. There’s even one model, by the way, that will retract its blade–literally in fractions of a second–when it senses moisture, leaving not so much as a nick and preserving fingers. Don’t get fancy for the sake of the price tag. Buy what you need.
   Watch the Fun Ensue: Whatever you choose, enjoy. Every minute of it. The study, the shopping, and most of all the output, which is twofold. First there is the product itself, the carved sailor, the flowering petunia or the Windsor chair THAT YOU CREATED. Second is the growing skill set, the proficiency and sense of accomplishment.
   Those are things you can take with you the next time you board the LIRR for work. Let ‘em all guess why you’re smiling. Happy Father’s Day.
   You can see John Salustri’s furniture designs at harborwoodfurniture.com. You can also email him at john@harborwoodfurniture.com

Hosting (Stress-Free) Birthday Parties While Giving Back

By

webpublisherpro

-

June 14, 2015

Jennifer Schenberg is a marketing and
public relations expert and CEO of
Long Island-based PenVine. Jennifer founded PenVine 12 years ago to support innovation and growth for companies and people in the technology, mobile,
entertainment, energy and clean/green
industries. Visit PenVine at
www.penvine.com or on Twitter
@PenVine, or reach Jennifer at
jennifer@penvine.com

Another year, another special day. Birthday parties are still big in our house, with 365 days of “subtle” suggesting, sharing of ideas and special requests for the “Next Big Day.” It’s adorable but sometimes a little stressful, especially if we’re hosting a big bash at home.

Then there’s the question of what gifts to get? For years my younger daughter loved Dora the Explorer, then it was My Little Pony. Today, it’s all things “Frozen.” My almost-ten-year-old “teen angel” prefers gift certificates – or an iPhone, of course. Kids have the pulse on toys and gaming, and gift marketers should be enlisting their help to shape and discover the next big ideas.

That’s exactly what Debbie Zinman and Alison Smith of ECHOage are doing. These two mompreneurs decided to address the birthday gift rush, by enlisting the help of an advisory counsel comprised of their own kids, to help “change the face of birthday parties, for good.”

ECHOage, a company based out of Toronto, Canada, claims to be modernizing the birthday party experience for both hosts and guests by replacing wasted time, money and gifts with the gratifying feeling of being “a really good parent to really great kids.” The company endeavors to make sharing the joy easier and more meaningful for party celebrations by managing invites and guests, streamlining gift-giving, and a charitable give back program — using eco-friendly, paperless invites.

A first-of-its-kind, online service, ECHOage “helps make parties less work, gift giving more substantial and giving back an added element.”

Here’s how it works:

• There is a stylish assortment of online invitations, some designed by Etsy artisans, to choose from;

• Party hosts can track RSVP’s and notes from guests;

• Guests can collectively contribute to quality, meaningful gifts chosen by the host;

• Guests can contribute to the host’s chosen charity;

• Party hosts can join the Heroes page, which acknowledges their charitable accomplishments.

There are a number of online invitation companies including Paperless Post, Celebrations, and Punch Bowl, among others — but it seems the charitable give-back program sets ECHOage apart. Teaching children about supporting a cause is positive and meaningful, and at the ages of 5-6+, kids can see the joy in it and appreciate how they can help contribute by utilizing their Birthday Party as a way to give back.

Dishin with Denise… The “Quintessential Quinao”… Pizza Bite

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport
Village resident and freelance writer.
She is a licensed agent at Signature
Premier Properties, 172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise
enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to
inspire a warm sense of home with
her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at
dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

We recently flew to Dallas Texas to visit our zainy, brainy, son the “Neuro guy” who surprised us with a light late night grainy snack ~ an American favorite~ done different. Pizza bites made from Quinoa. Leave it to my son… after fixing peoples brains all day he went home and created a RX for our arrival. True Texan Hospitality. He read recently somewhere that I was trying hard to cut back on the carbs and pastas ??? (In ETW~ I’m sure) So, instead of a slice of pizza~ this “brainy Dr”prepared a delicious grainy treat for us! Quinoa pizza bites ( power packed with fiber and protein!) served with a light marinara dipping sauce on the side. It’s so versatile and has a nice crunch, you will find many ways to eat it for breakfast lunch, dinner and snacks. Use your brain and create tasty ways to prepare this food! Healthy doesn’t have to be hard! He served these with a green spring salad on the side with his own homemade oil and vinegar infusion. Good Flight, Good Night and ate right! My son whether in the O.R. or at home in his kitchen ~ he celebrates a love of life and food and caters to the most discerning diners and palates~ mine! With tornados looming over Dallas we ate inside~ with his RX for hydration~ a glass of chilled wine. Superb! We found “GOLD!” in the Lone Star State! xoxo

“Dishin with my Doc”
12-muffin cup tin
1 cup cooked (as per package directions)
of Quinoa
2 large beaten eggs
½ cup fresh chopped basil
1 t dried or fresh oregano
½ cup diced fresh cherry tomatoes
1 cup diced or shredded mozzarella
1 Grated cheese
6 cups of fresh marinara
(Look up at etweekmedia.com)
For Marinara Magnitude Recipe
1 cup Vidalia onion (sautéed in ¼ cup extra
virgin olive oil, until caramelized and soft)

When done add 1 minced garlic clove and ½ cup mushrooms until soft. 3 minutes
Salt and fresh ground pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes ~ optional
Variations optional~ ½ cup diced cooked zucchini, spinach, petite peas; pepperoni dried sausage or crumbled bits cooked Italian sausage.
Preheat oven to 350, grease or pam muffin tins, fill each cup to top and press down gently to compact. Bake 15 minutes~ cool and remove. Plate with a scoop of fresh warm marinara on the side for dipping. Sprinkle with extra cheeses and basil. Ummm! Delicious!

Summer Wellness

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

Kristin has been working in the natural products industry for over fifteen years as an expert in holistic beauty products, nutrition and supplements. Also a fitness instructor, she is passionate about the mental and physical benefits of fitness and encourages people to reach their goals while having fun. She just completed her first book, a memoir. Follow her on Twitter @kristinjoylavin or visit her website: www.kristinjoylavin.com

Summer is the time when Mother Nature is in all her glory. It’s a great time to recheck your summer routines and see if they need a makeover.

Choose Your Sunblock With Care
Products we put on our skin find their way into our bloodstream so avoid chemical sunscreens containing ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone. Choose mineral based sunscreens found mostly in health food stores and are made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both protective against UVA and UVB rays. Both are minerals found in nature known to be safe for your body and stable in sunlight. Mineral sunscreens begin working right away and stay on in the water although reapplication is advised. They are reef safe unlike chemical sunscreens which are destroying coral and fish populations. Try John Masters Organics SPF 30 Sunscreen.

Take care of your skin
While being exposed to the sun can have it’s health benefits (vitamin D production), too much can be harmful. Limit your sun exposure without sunblock to 15-20 minutes per day at times when the sun is at it’s weakness, early morning or after 5pm. Wear sunglasses, sunblock and a hat when at the beach, pool or exercising. Just because your skin isn’t dried out like it is in winter, don’t give up your beauty regime. Using an anti aging serum with vitamin C is very protective as well as restorative when it comes to your face any time of year. After a day in the sun slather yourself head to toe with some coconut oil to prevent peeling and help moisturize.

Shop locally – think globally
Summer is the perfect time to visit a farmer’s market and try what local farms have to offer. Fresher, local food translates into less time in an airplane or truck traveling to get to the supermarket creating a larger carbon footprint. You can also join a CSA (community supported agriculture) which is a membership that gives you weekly produce deliveries from farms nearby. Or grow your own! In your yard or a community garden, you’ll grow what you love and love what you grow. Towns across America are taking open spaces and turning them into community gardens. There are several around Long Island where you can put your name on the waiting list.

Clean Air Quality
Summer breezes make me feel fine. So I especially don’t want to clog the air with chemical cleaners and applications. Our home is our sanctuary and we need to show it some love. Try using plant-based products around your home which kill 99.99% of germs and have lovely scents like lavender and geranium. Outside skip the weed killers and fertilizers which pollute our beautiful Long Island waterways. Alternatives are sold which produce the same result using the safest path.

The Great Outdoors
Lastly, get outside and be active. It’s the best medicine to help alleviate anxiety, depression and obesity. Gardening, swimming, cycling, and hiking are all fun outdoor pursuits that leave you feeling as good as Mother Nature herself.

Preparing for Summer Entertaining

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

Natalie Weinstein is President of
Natalie Weinstein Design Associates,
The Natalie Weinstein Home
Decorating Club and Uniquely Natalie,
a quality consignment outlet. Hear
Natalie’s design tips on WALK 97.5 FM, enjoy her Long Island Focus featured in House Magazine or call: 631.862.6198

I hope all of you had a great Memorial Day- perhaps celebrating with friends and family or just taking some well needed quiet time for yourself to relax and unwind.
   For the slow starters among us, it probably was a weekend of getting the pool ready, trying to organize outdoor play equipment, fixing bicycles so you can actually ride them, cleaning the outdoor furniture or buying new cushions, making the grill ready for use, hopefully checking hoses and tubes as well as cleaning the racks thoroughly. And how is the yard looking? There are many plants in pots that can decorate your porch and patios and still many in-the-ground plants to bring color to your garden.
   In short are you getting ready for the shortest fun time, between the 4th of July and Labor Day, to enjoy the outdoors? If the answer is yes, then you are all set to make the most of those lazy days of summer. (Who said that?). So let’s all look forward to summer entertaining when the inside of your house gets to stay “company neat” because the major space used is the great outdoors.
   Outdoor entertaining is far more relaxed, but once again, good planning can help you enjoy your guests, stress free. So make your shopping list before you get to the super market to avoid run backs. Find some “summer pretty” dishwasher safe plastic dishes and “go withs” so no one is worried about breakage, or great looking heavy duty paper goods that can just be trashed. Set up your entertaining area in advance to make sure you have enough tables and seating. Stock up on insect repellent, antihistamine for bug bites, and citronella pots. And what about an ice chest? While you’re out shopping – ask yourself if you need a few more fun games for kids as well as adults, like badminton or croquet? Are there enough pool toys to go around? And here’s a terrific crowd pleaser-a karaoke machine! I found a great portable one two summers ago and it was the best party mixer when guests don’t know each other. They instantly become new friends through music. If you're worried about annoying the neighbors, just invite them!
   Setting an outdoor table is fun and easy. Just see what’s growing in your garden and fill some vases with fresh flowers for table dressing. I like to place my tables for guests on the lawn and create shade over them with standing umbrellas. I have a variety of colorful tablecloths that go together but aren’t matching, and plastic dishes that co-ordinate. I set up the bar and main buffet table on the patio and have the barbeque off to the side – but not too far – so guests can visit with the chef and talk about the Yankees.
   I love it when people ask if they can bring something they like to cook. It adds real flavor to the event in more ways than one. My guest list is always varied and there’s a smorgasbord of people as well as food. So if you’ve been meaning to return invitations all winter, use the summer as a happy time to entertain while keeping wear and tear on your home to a minimum. Please e-mail some of your favorite summer entertaining tips to info@natalieweinstein.com.

Cafe Havana

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

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 radio 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

  The perfect combination of ambiance and culinary execution, Café Havana brings the tastes and sensations of the Caribbean to you, right here on Long Island.
   As soon as you pull up to Café Havana, the lighted palm trees and Caribbean styled exterior signal that you are in for a treat of both taste and place. Upon entering the dimly lit, yet lively space, you feel immersed as if you were dining on an island, thousands of miles from home.
   As you leave the main entryway and make your way to the dining room, on your left is a beautiful fish tank, which adds to the island feel. Directly across from the fish tank is the long, inviting bar. Perfect for a relaxing drink after a long day at work, or for a night out on the town with friends.
   Moving into the dining room, the ambiance grows, with palm trees adorning the room and the exterior light being filtered through the shutters on the windows, creating an intimate and exotic feel. Moving on to the food; the first item to take notice of are the outstanding fried plantains with salsa, which serve as your table snack while you peruse the menu. The plantains are perfectly salted and crispy, and the salsa is light and flavorful. If you are looking to indulge, the extensive mojito menu is full of tasty choices, the pineapple-coconut being my personal favorite. Once you have had a chance to savor the plantains and salsa, and get set with a drink, the Café Havana menu offers a wide variety of options to satisfy your tastes.
   With everything from empanadas and quesadillas to mofongo, yucca and paella, Café Havana’s menu contains delicious options that span from familiar plates, to foreign delights. To start off your dining experience, try the Chicken Pineapple Pinchos, succulent chicken skewers served with pineapple; the Yuca Frita, crispy, lightly fried cassava balls with a delicious garlic sauce; or order up some warm and flaky empanadas, stuffed with either beef, crab or shrimp.
   Moving on to dinner, Café Havana has choices for a variety of palates. For the seafood lover, try the Seafood Paella, which features delicious clams and shrimp with savory rice. For diners who prefer beef, try the Sweet Potato Picadillo, a massive sweet potato served stuffed with Cuban style beef, rice and a side of sliced avocado. For fans of chicken, try the chipotle chicken and shrimp served with chipotle sauce.
   Once you have finished dining, you can pick up a cigar and enjoy it on their front porch, or head down to the basement for some drinks and dancing (schedule is available upon request). If you are looking to escape from your day to day, head to Café Havana, 944 W. Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown.

Kusha Sushi

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

  Kusha Sushi, an authentic Japanese restaurant has just opened up at 964 middle country road in St James. Unlike the going standard of Asian Fusion eateries that are popping up everywhere, Kusha Sushi has remained true to what Japanese food is all about, with a twist. The restaurant boasts three levels, all of which deliver a different experience for its patrons. The main floor and general dining area is upbeat with a sense of sophistication, with a relaxed attitude. Adjacent is the sushi bar with four wide screen televisions to entertain you, while you enjoy the creativity and tastes from their master sushi chefs that are eager to please. The upper level is cool and comfortable with a lounge themed ambience with circular booths and bar. Intimate enough for a private party that can accommodate up to forty people. Perfect for any special occasion. The lower level of Kusha Sushi is designed for corporate functions. A horse shoe table and chairs with available projection screen is perfect for company workshops or corporate strategies.
   Yes, the ambience is new and exciting, but the real deal here is the food. The menu at Kusha is extensive, without being overwhelming. For starters, this writer highly recommends the “Blue Crab Fajita”. More like a quesadilla, made with fresh crab meat mixed with cream cheese and onion, folded inside a soft tortilla. Lightly pan fried, accompanied by a spicy aioli dipping sauce, topped with micro-sized fried crab sticks. The “Kusha Style Sashimi Pizza” also works well as something to share with a friend. A thin crust style pizza topped with tuna, salmon, white fish, avocado, cilantro, caviar, then drizzled with a spicy mayo and eel sauce. Chef specialty rolls are plentiful, including one of their most creative ones like the “Sweet 21 Roll”. A pink soy wrap, tempura shrimp, mango, lobster salad, topped with mango sauce, yuzu mayo and eel sauce. So much flavor and texture, it’s sure to be a popular favorite at Kusha Sushi.
   Kitchen entrees are all served with miso soup, house salad and rice, all reasonably priced at around $21. Other select meats and seafood are offered Tempura and Teriyaki style with an abundance of other ala carte and complete sushi/sashimi entrees that round out the abundance of authentic Japanese dishes at Kusha Sushi. For more information, go to their website at www.kushasushi.com. Kusha Sushi is conveniently located at the corner of route 347 and middle country road in St James. For more information call 631-366-3000.

Prudential Team Scarito

By

webpublisherpro

-

May 31, 2015

Family is a Factor for Award Winning Team Scarito Real Estate

Team Scarito is a full-service real estate team that offers residential and commercial sales, working with both buyers and sellers with a combined 50 years of experience. Truly a family business, Bob Scarito has brought his two sons into the family business and the success has been tremendous, helping to propel them to become the number one selling real estate team on Long Island for the past five years, selling over 150 homes annually.
“Helping our clients find their dream home or the perfect location for their business is what we enjoy most,” said Bob Scarito. Their dynamic family core is able to meet all ages and needs.
“We are great listeners who put your needs first,” said Michael Scarito.

Awards
• 2014 Real Estate Team of the Year for Homes Sold
• 2014 Long Island Business News Real Estate Team of the Year, Suffolk County for most sold homes
• 2014 Long Island Pulse Magazine Top Selling Agents of Suffolk County

Team Scarito
robscarito@elliman.com
Owners: Bob, Rob and Michael Scarito

Call for a FREE Market Analysis 631-858-6932

Ciro's Italian Restaurant

Maria's Mexican & Latin Cuisine

O Sole Mio

Chiddy’s Cheese Steaks

La Piazza

Rincon Criollo

ET Week Media Group

Ciro's Italian Restaurant

Maria's Mexican & Latin Cuisine

O Sole Mio

Chiddy’s Cheese Steaks

La Piazza

Rincon Criollo

Father’s Day Eats: Dos Caminos Modern Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Lounge

Protecting for the Perfect Tan

Father Knows Best

Home Made Wee Killer

Your Secret Gift

Hosting (Stress-Free) Birthday Parties While Giving Back

Dishin with Denise… The “Quintessential Quinao”… Pizza Bite

Summer Wellness

Preparing for Summer Entertaining

Cafe Havana

Kusha Sushi

Prudential Team Scarito

About ET Week

ET Week Media Group