Browsing CategoryLong Island

Gerry Hayden Named “Best Chef, Northeast” Finalist in James Beard Awards

For the second year in row, Chef Gerry Hayden of The North Fork Table & Inn in Southold on the North Fork of Long Island is a finalist in the James Beard Foundation Awards as “Best Chef, Northeast.” He’s one of five finalists for the award, up against Jamie Bissonnette of Coppa in Boston, Tim Cushman of O Ya in Boston, Matthew and Kate Jennings of La Laiterie in Providence, and Eric Warnstedt of Hen of the Wood in Waterbury, Conn. Almost upon opening, NFT has been where Nena and I dine on our splurge nights.We’ve never had anything but…

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NYCR Artisan Dinner with Anthony Nappa Wines April 5 at Orto

After taking a bit of a winter break, we’re happy to announce the next in our series of New York Cork Report Artisan Dinners — this one with Anthony Nappa Wines at Orto, Chef Eric Lomando’s new restaurant in Miller Place. Nappa, who many of you know as the former winemaker for Shinn Estate, has been making wine under his own label for a few vintages now. He brings a diverse winemaking background — having made wine in New Zealand, Southern Italy, California and Massachusetts — and has a bit of a cult following for his white pinot noir, named Anomaly. Join us…

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Long Island Vineyards Could See Early Bud Break in 2012

The earliest anyone can remember seeing bud break in Long Island vineyards was mid-April in 2010 — a vintage that ended up being one of the longest and warmest on record. Bud break in 2010 was about two weeks earlier than average. But, after a mild winter and with temperatures currently in the upper-50s and 60s this week — Long Island vineyards coudl see bud break even earlier in 2012. “The potential for an early budbreak this year appears higher than normal. If the weather continues to trend the way it has over the winter season it is increasingly likely that an early…

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The Most Important Store in the State: Buzz Growing for Empire State Cellars

It is unusual for a single wine store to become such a focus for an entire state. More unusual still when the store is not located in New York City. Since returning home from the Wines of the Year weekend on Long Island, no fewer than three wine industry professionals from the Finger Lakes have asked me, “Did you go to Empire State Cellars?” Or, “What was it like?” Or, “Was it as cool a place as I’m hoping it is?” They are intrigued by the idea of the only wine store in the state that offers exclusively New York…

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Lenz Winery 2007 Estate Selection Merlot

If you’re looking for innovative, modern winemaking or flashy branding, The Lenz Winery probably isn’t for you. Lenz isn’t in the Long Island Wine Council and isn’t particularly active on channels like Facebook and Twitter. Instead, Lenz has relied on winemaker Eric Fry and his traditional, Old World-styled wines and the periodic, well-publicized blind tasting against top Boredeaux, to build its reputation. And it’s worked. Lenz has a devoted following and Eric’s reds are often among the most complex in the region. Carrying on a tradition of well-priced, age-worthy merlot, Lenz Winery 2007 Estate Selection Merlot ($24) offers aromas of…

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Sparkling Pointe and Pork Belly Benedict Take Over at Wading River’s La Plage

By Dave Seel, Long Island Food Correspondent It seems every time I decide to eat at La Plage, I can’t remember how to get there. It’s somewhere near Wading River by the beach, hence the name “La Plage,” but the exact route I take always seems to allude me. Eventually though, I do happen upon Sound Road that winds me to the small restaurant. For years now, Chef Wayne Wadington has been making waves across the North Shore with his eclectic, French-inspired cuisine. Clean, straightforward and always delicious, Wadington’s food is based upon fresh, seasonal ingredients. Recently, my wife and…

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Scenes from the 2012 Long Island Nano Cask Festival

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor At beer events, including the 2012 Long Island Nano Cask Festival last weekend, I’m often introduced as “A wine guy who likes beer too.” I’m not even sure that’s accurate anymore. I drink nearly as much beer as I do wine. There’s little I like better after a long day tasting wine than a couple pints — preferably of a hoppy, bitter-but-barely-balanced IPA. With beer, I know what I like and don’t like, but I don’t know anywhere near as much as the talented NYCR beer team — including our Long Island Correspondent, Donavan Hall,…

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EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner at Jamesport Manor Inn on March 2

On Friday, March 2, Bedell Cellars will co-host a winemaker’s dinner at The Jamesport Manor Inn at 7 p.m. The menu, prepared by Executive Chef Michael Mandleur and paired with wines by winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich, is below. Seats are $70 per person and $65 for wine club members. Call (631) 722-0500 for reservations.           Bedell Cellars Winemaker’s Dinner Menu March 2, 2012 at 7 p.m. Slow-braised barbeque pork belly with Michigan cherries, hazelnuts and frisee Bedell Cellars 2007 Blanc De Blanc Peconic Bay Oysters on the half shell with lemon granite and cocktail sauce Bedell Cellars…

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The 2011 New York Cork Report Wines of the Year

By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor I think I can speak for my fellow editors and contributors when I say that our 2011 Wines of the Year tasting was a fun, challenging and inspiring day of 16 wine tasting flights. I always come away with myriad story ideas swirling in my head after this tasting. This year is no different. Look for pieces from the team over the next few weeks. But today, we announce the winners — including our first-ever New York Wine of the Year, Peconic Bay Winery 2007 Lowerre Family Estate. Our 2011 Regional Wines of the Year…

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T’Jara Vineyards Joins Long Island Merlot Alliance

\Yesterday, the Long Island Merlot Alliance (LIMA) announced that T’Jara Vineyards label has joined the merlot promotion group. That means that two barrels of 2010 T’Jara merlot will be included in the 2010 Merliance, LIMA’s cooperative merlot blend. T’Jara is a brand created by winemaker Russell Hearn and business partner Jed Beitler, who together own T’Jara Vineyards — an established vineyard in in Mattituck, NY. T’Jara  released two 2007 vintage wines, a Merlot and Merlot-based blend, in late 2011. According to the press release, “T’Jara is the phonetic spelling of an aboriginal word that, roughly translated, means ‘where I’m from.’…

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