Dusk & Rubies: What to do on Long Island

Showing posts with label What to do on Long Island. Show all posts

7/14/13

Foodie Reviews: The Oar House

This review has been a long time in the works! The Oar House is not only one of my favorite restaurants, but also where I used to work as a young bus kid. It is quite a rarity for someone who has worked in the food service business to still go back to dine at the very same restaurant where they were employed. The Oar was my first real job at the ripe old age of thirteen eleven years ago. The food was fantastic then, and it is even better now!

Everything on the menu is delicious! Above is just a few pictures of my favorite dishes.

This restaurant is really busy in the summer since it is on the water and many people occupy, and utilize the dock space. Make sure to make a reservation on open table if you are going over the weekend (their busiest time).

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

7/8/13

Weekend Staycations...Shelter Island

Fourth of July weekend brings thousands of people from the hot city streets of Manhattan out to the hot sandy beaches of the Hamptons, and Sunrise Highway becomes flooded with bumper to bumper traffic. Usually I play it safe, and stay far away from the frustrations by lounging by the pool, but this past weekend I decided to (with my siblings) take a chance and voyage to Greenport where we could take the ferry to Shelter Island. We hit no traffic on Sunday, and the trip was so affordable, and relaxing! Take a look at some pictures below.

Ferry prices are so affordable, and parking for the ferry is free. I opted not to take my car, and we walked from the ferry terminal to Crescent Beach.

While walking to the beach we took the scenic route. We saw sail boats docked, beautiful houses, tennis courts, and on their main street there was a gas station, general store, bike rentals, a bar, liquor store, and café. We also passed a golf course, and a deli.

Crescent Beach is one of the most highly visited beaches on Shelter Island. Although this beach is located directly in front of the Sunset Beach Hotel and Restaurant, it is open to the public. Their are lounge chairs, and umbrellas for the guests of the hotel only, but their is paddle boarding for everyone to rent. They charge $30 per hour and two people can go out on one board.

Photo From Sunset Hotel Brochure

Photo From Sunset Beach Brochure

1. Bring single dollar bills with you because ferry rides take tokens, and one token is worth $2 dollars. (If you put in a ten dollar bill, then you will receive four tokens, not change. You only need two tokens: one there, and one for the return trip.)

2. It is pretty affordable to take your vehicle, but there is no guarantee that there will be parking. Plus, you will have to wait on the sometimes grueling ferry line.

3. We chose to walk it, but the scenic route was 2.2 miles long. My brother called it suburban hiking. We found biking as the number one way to get around the island, because even though we chose to walk there were very few people walking, and most roads lacked sidewalks. There were plenty of bikers who biked to get around, and just for exercise.

4. If you choose to walk or bike the easiest way to carry your items is with a backpack. If you bring a cooler, then somehow bring one that is easy to carry or tie to your bicycle.

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

6/6/13

Day Date Ideas: Tall Ships Festival

Looking for a fun day to spend relaxin' with your man, or hangin' with your lady while on Long Island? Well here's a suggestion for you...The Tall Ships Festival in Greenport. Great street fairs, plenty of booths, good eats, and of course if you pay $15 dollars you can board any of the Tall Ships. Check out pictures below, along with a link to Greenport's other

Summer events.

They let me drive...navigate. Okay you caught me I'm just posing.

On one of the five boats in the living quarters.

Sitting in the crew's bedrooms. Behind me is one of the bunks.

Checking out some of the chowder from one of the vendors.Click here for a list of things to do in Greenport
and check out their Calendar for events and schedules!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

5/26/13

What To Wear: To The Boardy Barn

What To Wear: To The Boardy Barn by duskandrubies featuring high waisted shorts

5/24/13

Foodie Reviews: Robinson's Tea Room

I love tea, so it is no secret that one of my favorite cozy tea spots would be the Robinson's Tea Room in Stony Brook Village. This tea spot is so divine it is Zagat rated!

Robinson's also offers both the enjoyment of sitting down to your own steeping pot, or to order one of their delicious teas to go. Another wonderful feature of Robinson's is that they don't only serve tea, but also lunch, and desserts such as their famous scones and clotted cream. Mmmm.

My favorite tea flavors include, but are not limited to: Almond, Orange Spice, Cocoa Coconut, Maple Vanilla, and Licorice Spice.

Just a spot of tea.

How cute is this tea cup and saucer?

My mom is such a pretty lady. Look at her keeping her pinky out!

This place is great for: family events, girlfriend gatherings, mother's day, and just to enjoy your high noon tea.

Stay Lovely,

...and drink a cup of tea

D.R

Editor, and curator of

Dusk & Rubies

5/8/13

Foodie Reviews: Long Island Restaurant Week...Le Soir Review

Restaurant Week 2013: The dates were April 28th- May 5th, and Brian (my boyfriend) and I just made it by attending the last day of the week, Saturday May 5th. Restaurant week on Long Island gives us the chance to go to expensive restaurants and eat a 3 course well procured meal for the reasonable price of $27.95. Naturally, we chose Le Soir- one of our favorite spots (we go at least once a year). Here is a quick run down about the restaurant:

Name: Le Soir (which means the evening in French. I think their name is clever, because every time we go our evening is filled with delight, both culinary and experience wise.

Cuisine: French

Where: Bayport

Price: Usually expensive, but during LI restaurant week extremely reasonable.

My Favorite Dish: Roast Duck in Orange Sauce

The Menu:

Appetizers

Risotto aux Petit Pois et Lardons
Peas and Pancetta Risotto
Pâté de Campagne
Le Soir Country Pâté

Mélange de Salades, Fromage de Chèvre Tiède, Tomate séché
Goat Cheese Salad, Sun-dried Tomato

Bisque de Homard et Gnocchi

Lobster Bisque, Gnocchi

Escargots Bourguignons
Baked Snails, Garlic Butter (supp. $4)

Entrées

Carré de Porc Rôti, Sauce Charcutière

Roast Rack of Pork, Duchesse Potato, Mustard Gherkins Sauce

Branzino Sauté, Sauce Beurre Blanc Citronné
Sautéed Branzino, Lemon White Butter Sauce

Canard Rôti, Sauce a l’Orange

Roast Duck with Orange Sauce (supp. $7)

Poulet de Ferme Rôti, Sauce Diable
Pan Seared Farm Chicken, Diablo Sauce

Desserts Maison
$ 27.95

The food was full bodied, every part of my hunger was satiated and satisfied from my appetizer to my cafe (coffee). I strongly reccomend when on Long Island trying this restaurant. It is some of the best French cuisine I have ever tried, the staff is friendly and knowledgable, and the room is bright and open with beautiful artwork. There were white roses set on our table, and I felt I had just stepped into the novel, Alice and Wonderland, because of the artwork, and the white roses at our table. See the picture we were sitting beneath below, and tell me if you agree with my allusion.

Last but not least...a picture speaks a thousand words...and I have a lot of pictures.

Roast Rack of Pork, Duchesse Potato, Mustard Gherkins Sauce

My Meal: Pan Seared Farm Chicken, Diablo Sauce

Pan Seared Farm Chicken, Diablo Sauce

The Floating Island Dessert

The art above our table depicted bushes that were shaped with different tops!

I wore a red chemise, and my be mine Betsy Johnson Bag. I felt like the Queen of Hearts!

Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies

4/22/13

Local Bands: Soundswell

Soundswell, does not just sound well, or sound swell; they sound awesome. This band is a good time! Maybe I am biased because I know some of the band members, or maybe I am just a sucker for a band that can play both: laid back jazzy jams with a mixture of trumpet, and upbeat songs that totally shred on guitar and get the crowd jumping and pumping their glow sticks. It didn't hurt that I was completely enchanted and entertained by not only the band Soundswell, but also the venue 89 North located in the town of Patchogue. The space is all brick walled, neon lights, plays classic black and white movies projected onto the walls, and serves Blood Orange Pale Ale by Great South Bay Brewery...need I say more?

Here is another awesome review that also supports my appreciation of the Long Island band Soundswell:

"This hot band that burst onto the local music scene in late 2011 and has built a loyal following because of their outstanding musicianship and great energy...Their sound infuses elements of rock, folk and jazz that is building a growing fan base of 'SwellFolk'." (The Patchogue Patch 2013)

For more from this article click the link: The Patchogue Patch

To stay up to date with band information and events "like" the band Soundswell on facebook.