Planning A Wedding When There's Not A Lot of Time

Your go-to guide for marrying on July 24, the first day same-sex partners can wed in New York.

Couples saying their vows this week in the Town Huntington could be a part of history: it's the first time same-sex partners can marry in New York. That doesn't leave a lot of time to plan a celebration, but you can still make it a day to remember. Some are featured on I Love New York, which lists online the tourism promotions According to the website, the following venues are offering specials in our region.  Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center in Glen Cove is featuring a “Show your Pride” wedding package. Glen Cove Mansion is waiving the ceremony fee and including a butler style champagne at wedding event, either ceremony or reception. To celebrate each LGBT couple’s first anniversary in 2012, Glen Cove Mansion is welcoming …

• Photos (1)

Restaurants Go All Out for Easter Meals

Holiday specials join the lineup for brunch and dinner.

Easter brunches and dinners have become traditions for many families. The luxury of going out to brunch or dinner takes the pressures off cooking at home. The following places are among those in the Huntingon area that are offering Easter brunch and dinner specials. Remember to call and make your reservations in advance. Bel Posto Located at:  15 New St., Huntington Details: Bel Posto is having an Easter brunch from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. For $30 adults can enjoy a buffet, which also includes unlimited Bloody Mary’s, Mimosas and Screwdrivers. Children under twelve are $18. They will also serve Easter dinner from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., which features a three course prix fixe meal for $37 per person. Phone:  631-421-4600 Honu Kitchen and Cocktails …

• Photos (11)

Frugal Family: Looking for Deals

Huntington Patch has searched around and found the best sales going on this week.

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars. You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together. This week, Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on bagels, restaurants, animal grooming and lawn mower care. Remember to check with the merchant for additional conditions: Kohaku of New York:  2089 New York Avenue, Huntington Deal:  Valpak Coupon Here  $5 off any order of $30 or more, dine in or take out and $10 off any order of $50 or …

• Photos (2)

Chesterfields Closes; New Club to Open

Owners plan club with 1920s-30s theme.

updated: Two Huntington natives bought Chesterfields Blues and Jazz Lounge this week and plan to turn the spot into a gastro club with a 1920s-30s Prohibition theme. Frank "Rocky" Bruno and his business partner, celebrity chef Chris Lee, closed on their purchase Tuesday. Extensive renovations are underway, with Bruno saying they hope to open by mid-May. Lee was awarded the prestigious James Beard "Rising Star Chef of the Year" in 2005 and was named to the Top Ten Best New Chefs of 2006" by Food and Wine magazine. Lee and Bruno, an attorney, are redesigning the place with the help of Dirty Lines Design. Kristina T. Murphy of Belvedere Designs was with Bruno Friday, examining the gutted interior as workers hauled material down the stairs and…

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Frugal Family: Deals of the Week

Huntington Patch has searched around and found the best sales going on this week.

We're all watching our family budgets these days. Whether shopping with coupons or looking for two-for-one deals, we're taking advantage of all sorts of offers and savings that help us stretch our dollars. Frugal Family will be dedicated to giving you five great local deals each week that will help your family’s bottom line, and since we do the scouting for you, you can save time as well as money. You are a big part of this column. Let us hear about the deals you've seen. Just add them to our comment box. Then come back each week and see what we've uncovered together. This week, Frugal Family scoured our local sources to come up with great deals on pizza, yogurt, restaurants and paper towels. Remember to check with the merchant for …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (5)

Huntington Wine & Dine

Video: Besito's Matthew Lake

A close-up look at the top chefs in town.

Matthew Lake has been executive chef at Huntington's Besito restaurant since 2005. He has appeared on The Food Network, CBS and ABC, and his recipes were featured in the book "Chef on a Shoestring" named after the popular segment on the CBS morning show. Here he describes his cooking philosophy, career and favorite dish.

• Videos (1)

Competition Set to Heat Up Danu's Dance Floor

Dance contest to be held at Danu Lounge on Friday night with prizes for its winner.

Do you think you're the best dancer in Huntington? Come put your moves to the test Friday night at Danu Restaurant and Lounge's one night dance contest. While there is no need for registration, guests should arrive early to ensure they will be able to compete in the contest set to begin between 10:30 and 11 p.m. The winner will be awarded a bottle of Grey Goose and a cash prize for their impressive dance moves. "We usually have a great turnout," said manager Edgar Fernandez. "We have a fantastic space, an eclectic music playlist, and a ton of fun." According to Danu's website, the restaurant and lounge, located at 368 New York Ave., has become a local cultural hotspot and is a place to unwind and enjoy a variety of food from all over Latin…

• Photos (3)

Martoni's Ristorante Italiano: Affordable Gourmet Food

Variety and great service reign at this Italian restaurant.

Martoni's Ristorante Italiano opened two years ago at the site on East Jericho Turnpike which had been home to Fred's Restaurant for 54 years. Martoni manager Tony Frascone and chef Norberto Avila, both formerly of Monica Bella, bring a total of 40 years of experience in Northern and Southern Italian cuisine to the table. The result is a menu which sparkles with creativity and variety while packing a few surprises. For starters, there's a wealth of delicious traditional Italian appetizers and antipasto. We opted for the 'Calamara Fritti Arabiata' (fried calamari) served with a sweet and sour chili sauce. The contrasts inherent in this sauce make it the perfect accompaniment for the crispy calamari and I would make a trip to Martoni's for …

• Photos (37)

New Sushi Restaurant Gets OK to Use Parking Lot

Kashi, a new sushi-fusion restaurant that will open at 12 Elm St in Huntington Village was granted approval from the Huntington BZA to use the municipal parking lot across the street as its own.

Twelve Elm Street in Huntington Village used to be known for its coffee and cafe. Soon it may be known for its tea and tuna rolls. The location, formerly the Elm Street Eatery, will be overhauled and become home to a new "sushi-fusion restaurant" named Kashi. The one-story diner will hold 70 seats, include a downstairs area, and serve food and signature sushi rolls with names like "American Dream Roll" and "Tuna Amazing Roll" from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The applicants, WSTB Corp. who will manage the property, came before the Huntington Board of Zoning Appeals Thursday night to request approval for the renovation and the use of a nearby municipal parking lot. The board granted their request, but had a few concerns. "Will they be serving stale …

• Photos (6)

Restaurant Joanina: A Tuscan Feast for the Eyes and Tongue

Tuscany comes to Huntington in this best of all Italian dining worlds.

It was the cusp of the evening—a little after 6 pm—when we arrived at Restaurant Joanina on Sunday and the place was already hopping. As I looked around at the enchanting décor, and watched extended families and large groups of friends gather for a celebratory meal, I knew that I was in for an extraordinary dining experience. According to owners Bobby and Amy Oliva, Restaurant Joanina, which opened in 1998, has recently undergone some changes. A second dining room, with an Italian 'farmhouse' flair was added, and the wine shop, which opened two years ago, has been relocated so it is now directly adjacent to the restaurant. Perhaps one reason that the establishment radiates with such warmth is that the design of Restaurant Joanina, clearly …

• Photos (36)