PHOTO BY JONI RENTZKicking off the spring harvest season are two favorites. Asparagus, which you’ll find sprouting up on the farm stand scene come May. Strawberries, May through June. Our top picks for farm stands - Wickham's in Cutchogue and Sep's in East Marion for the most tender asparagus. And for plump juicy strawberries head east to Latham's in Orient. Go to FARMSTANDS for our complete listing, maps and addresses to farm stands around the area.
Strokes of Genius
PHOTO COURTESY OF PEGGI KNOLL-ROBERTSWhile visiting The South Street Gallery, one of our favorite galleries in Greenport, I discovered my new favorite artist, Peggi Knoll-Roberts. Using her children as her muses, her work captures the essence of summer here on the North Fork with her bold, straightforward use of color and her loose and energetic brush strokes. Find your own favorite artists and take home more than a souvie t-shirt from two of our top pick galleries in Greenport, The South Street Gallery and L’Orangerie Gallery.
The Greenport Barista
PHOTO BY JONI RENTZFollow your nose or the signs of smoke billowing down Front Street to the home of Aldo’s Cafe. Aldo Maiorana, a Sicilian born Frenchman, first opened on the North Fork back in 1986 and has been roasting his own coffees ever since. Add his famous scones and biscotti to the mix and all we can say is..."heaven". The place is coffee house authentic down to the last drop with The San Franciscan roaster in the front window and mounds of burlap bags of coffee beans in the back. Can't live without Aldo's? Go to Aldo's website for your very own stash of coffee beans, scones and biscotti delivered right to your door. Aldos
Farmhouse Favorites
PHOTO BY JONI RENTZJust beyond the charming tasting room of the Croteaux Vineyard in Peconic sits the historic 1800’s farmhouse where Paula Croteau’s famous cooking school has been stirring the pot for the past 8 years. Her newly released cookbook, Farmhouse Kitchen Favorites is a collection of 80 recipes inspired from her 15 years of teaching. Her style is described as “in season cooking” and her students get to work with all of Paula’s favorite local suppliers of organic ingredients. She has a devoted following so her classes book up quickly. I’m on stand-by for a pasta class in May. Her class schedule and book are all available through her website at farmhousekitchen.us.
Yoga Central
PHOTO COURTESY OF TEMPLE YOGAStrike a pose at the Temple Yoga Center, located on the second floor of Greenport’s historic Masonic Temple at 430 Main Street. It's where calm meets inpiration within the vast open space and soaring vaulted ceilings. All skill levels are taken into consideration so you'll feel right at home whether a beginner or advanced practitioner. Choose from Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa and are $10 per class. Temple Yoga Center