Greenport featured in CNN

CNN Travel did a nice article about Getaway locations  today. Greenport was featured as the first of five getaways to replace a Hamptons Getaway. Greenport (and its environs) was viewed as the low-key alternative to the Hamptons. The story went on to include many local businesses such as great restaurants  North Fork Oyster Company and The Frisky Oyster, as well as several fellow lodgings, including our friends at The Harborfront Inn and The Morning Glory B&B. This was a nice story and is just one more bit of proof that the North Fork has become the ultimate destination for the perfect getaway. With new restaurants as The Blue Canoe, the Peconic Jitney, the passenger only ferry between Greenport and The Hamptons' Sag Harbor, Greenport is on the map - in capital letters!
Click anywhere on this blog entry to see the CNN story!!!  

Greenport has another hit restaurant - Biere

Biere. Yes, please.  One of the best parts of my job is getting to check out all the new dining places on the East End so that I can really know what I am talking about food-wise to my guests. There is a need for fine dining, and there is also a geat need for casual dining. It is great to have a fantastic and reasonably priced eatery right around the corner from The Stirling House. Biere is a restaurant with a European Bistro flair. It provides fine dining in a casual atmosphere.  The specialties are the mussel pots -  Moules/Pommes Frites (mussels and fries) There were three choices, and I went for the Orient Mussels. The mussels were broiled in a fresh ginger sauce. Delicious! I need to mention that you get 2 lbs of mussels, and it is rare that I leave a restaurant on the East End "full", but I actually had to take a Doggy bag home, and had a great lunch the next day. We also tried the hot wings, which were plentiful and spicy. They also do a tapas special at the bar. I got to try a few of the items, and they were excellent. A leek & potato soup that reminded me of the exact soup my Parisian grandmother would make...Biere is the perfect informal place to relax after a day of wine tasting and strolling Greenport's beautiful historic district. This will greatly appeal to so many people. If you are a beer lover, they have a very nice selection, as well as the wine from One Woman winery. Biere has quickly become a local favorite, which is the true test of success. If the locals give it the thumbs up, then evryone else will come. They don't have a website yet, but I am sure one is in the works. The menu is small but does have something for everyone, carnivores, vegetarians and seafood lovers alike. This will be a hotspot during the Winterfest I am sure!  It is just a three minute stroll from the B&B to Biere, and I wish them much success.  While you are there, pick up an expresso and a pastry at d'Latte, which is right next door. And bring back one for me, as well ; )

The White Weathered Barn

My good friends Rena and Jason are opening their new store, The White Weathered Barn, in Greenport Village this Friday. Rena has a strong designer background and immaculate taste. I have several of her hand crafted items throughout the Stirling House B&B. If you are planning a party or wedding, Rena can design the perfect unique gifts and centerpieces which will have the table fighting for.

     Check out her website http://www.thewhiteweatheredbarn.com/  tp get an idea of her style. She is country-chic in style, without having to go there and brave the NYC crowds in the Hamptons.  Greenport is the new "in" place. It's beautiful, easy to get to and filled with eclectic shops and stores and world class restaurants. It is also the central town of Long Island Wine Country.  The White Weatherd Barn is a welcome new addition. I wish them her very best, and know they are going to be very successful. Many guests comment on her items, and now I can send them right up the street , as its just a three minute stroll away from Stirling House.

Shelter Island Room 2010

I took a hard look at the Shelter Island Room, and while it was cute before, I had to admit it wasn't a romantic room like the others. This is our premium waterfront room. SO... we did a complete overhaul last week on the room, and have embraced the romantic in us all. Now the room is soft, cream colored, and has many romatic items and collectibles decorating the room. This is the place to enjoy a romantic anniversary, celebrate a milestone Birthday, or simply to relax in front of the harbor views. I have attached a couple of pictures to show you . Thanks and see you soon!
Clay

Let it snow, let it snow let it snow

OK, it is beautiful and all, but enough snow already!!!

When you get lemons, make lemonade, so being housebound, today will be new recipe day at The Stirling House. I like to try new things out and test them on friends before putting them out for the guests. I watched Zombieland last night (the movie is funny and crazy...but you cannot dislike like Woody Harrelson and his twinkie fetish!) So today I am going to create Twinkies from scratch and see how it goes. I think I have a good idea of how to approach them. If they are good, they will be a fun addition to the afternoon snacks, they will be all natural, so no 20 year shelf life! LOL . Hey I guess with todays weather, I should be trying to make snowballs and not twinkies. I am also experimenting with my French Madelein recipe. The Parisian chef might scoff but I am trying maple syrup as a flavoring. I will let you know how it all goes.

The Vine Time getaway has been moving along. Stirling House is now sold out for March's VT date, but there is still availability at the other 3 participating B&Bs. They are all great with wonderful people running each B&B. This recession has proved that people still want to enjoy life a little. They are travelling closer to home, and our breakfasts and waterfront (walkable to everything) location has been a major plus keeping us quite busy all Winter.

I got a few calls from friends who saw me on "The Good Wife" earlier this week...it was fun doing that bit, as I don't carry a decapitated head every day.
OK...time to shovel! Talk to you soon...Clay

Blog 1 - Noah's opens in Greenport

Blog 1 - So here is my first blog offering. It makes sense as I talk so much... There is so much to share, and so much the North Fork has to offer...this way as I hear it, you will hear it. The Good the bad, and maybe even...the ugly LOL

The GOOD! We checked out Noah Shwartz's new restaurant, Noah's. It is located where Frisky Oyster Bar (FOB) used to be (that was sold). The new place is excellent. Great service, excellent food and a nice atmosphere. The place was hopping (and it was Thursday). It is the new great place to go, eat, see and be seen.

The food contains a menu of varied items including a smaller platters section, including many tapas favorites as well as some amazing takes on standard fare. The LI Clam Chowder was delicious.

The Stirling House B&B is all ready for Long Island Winterfest, and being the only B&B on the East End to hold a NYS wine license, it is the only B&B to legally serve and sell wine to its guests. It was a huge project to get the license, and puts us apart from the standard B&Bs. We are all stocked up with Long Island wines for our guests to try and enjoy.

We look forward to your visit.