Very disappointing peaches this year

We ended up in Dutchess county to pick peaches/blueberrys and had a great time. Had the run of the orchard and all they did was ask us to open our trunk on the way out. The negative reports at Davis go back several years so it's not a new thing. I guess if you treat your customers like potential criminals, their not going to be to happy, hence the negative reports. I'm sure there are people who will go and have a great time, and it looks like their normal retail is the way to go, but it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth. To each his/her own.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Very disappointing peaches this year

Wow You are braver than me, every single review I've read of Davis Peach Farm has been very negative. While the reviews were for pick your own(why I would go) , it's such a turnoff, I'm not going to give them my business.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Anything new in Riverhead? Calling Coll :)

Love Lane Kitchen is close by. I really enjoyed it. Will be at patty's on sunday to pick blueberrys and that's where we are eating.

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Love Lane Kitchen
240 Love Ln, Mattituck, NY 11952

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

New Food Truck Lot in LIC

I'm so there! My office moved several months ago and there is really nothing over here. We were told how up and coming LIC is, but Queens Plaza is nowhere near there for a 1 hour lunch.
The food truck park will only be a few blocks away. I'm hoping people take the walk over there so it becomes a permament fixture! I know I'll do my share.

MrPhil in Outer Boroughs

Best LI Farmers Market?

Thanks to all , I think I will start with tanger , islip,massapequa, and sayville also have markets on saturday, so I may hit all 4(I expect the last are similar to Hicksville) We'll make a trip out east sometime next month. I'll report back

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Best LI Farmers Market?

We stopped by the Hicksville farmers market today, there were 6-7 vendors, a few farms, bread place, soap guy, pickle guy and a winery. I was wondering if there are other markets that have more vendors. I guess after visiting VT earlier this summer, I've gotten spoiled by the Saturday markets up there. I'm not expecting something like union square, but something a little more substantial would be nice. Doesn't need to be in eastern nassau/western suffolk. we'll drive if it's worth it.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Dim Sum on Long Island?

It's true, but I'm pretty sure it's a real renovation and will reopen. There was a story on the eat me blog in Newsday

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Maize Cantina in Commack

Closed

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

The Orient in Bethpage: Am I Missing Something?

This is why as much as I want to like this place, (and going for dim sum has been great) I find this 20 questions or negotiation aspect a bit of a pain in the neck. I don't know what I want, What do I ask for when I get the owner. Just spell it out on the menu! If I don't want it, I won't order it. Even in Flushing and Chinatown (while there may be a chinese only menu) there are still lots of "non traditional" choices in english on most menus.

The regular menu seems just so ordinary to me.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

The Orient in Bethpage: Am I Missing Something?

I think I posted the exact same question awhile back. I was there for takeout and tried to ask for the "other menu" to no avail. I finally came to the conclusion there is no "other menu" and the special items are based on conversation with the staff.

I really wish there was some guidance rather than just winging it and asking.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Norwich/White River Junction with kids

Thanks for both reply's It's greatly appreciated and all look like good suggestions. I had a feeling we would be eating in NH. I'll let you know inb early Dec. where we ended up.

MrPhil in Northern New England

Norwich/White River Junction with kids

My wife is taking a class at King Arthur in Norwich during December and we'll be staying overnight (before heading up to Montpelier -I know it's close by and we stay with relatives there, but want to do 1 night in a hotel) I need to have dinner with my two toddlers. Looking for kid friendly,any cuisine, but something interesting. Close to either WRJ (hotel) or King Arthur

In VT, we've done American Flatbread, Alchemist, skinny pancake, sarduccis, etc. and had no problems. I wouldn't do Simon Pierce or Hen of the woods with them, but you get the general idea.

Thanks !

MrPhil in Northern New England

Cheap Eats NYC Trip Report

What happened was we had gone there for the 1st time and my wife asked for a taste of a specific flavor, which he gave her (on one of those little spoons - no problem with this at all) Bear in mind she only asked to taste one flavor. Once she chose her flavor, he scooped it into in the dish, but before handing it to her, he went back and took out with the scoop a miniscule portion that was equal to the taste.

It was really weird, there was the scoop, but wait, you have .0001oz to much, I'm going to take that back . It wasn't a smoothing or packing issue. My wife and I and our guests all came to the same conclusion at the same time. No one said anything, but it was a "did you see what he did" moment when we left.

Needless to say, I won't be going back ever again.

MrPhil in Manhattan

Cheap Eats NYC Trip Report

I hate this place (laboratorio del gelato )with a passion, stingy is not the half of it. Let my wife try a sample and then precisely removed said amount from her final choice. was send to L'arte di Gelato-so much better tastewise (see my Keste vs Motorino thread) Sorry for the rant.

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Motorino
349 E 12th St, New York, NY 10003

MrPhil in Manhattan

Poutine in Outremont

I will only be in Montreal for a day with limited time/transportation. Can anyone suggest a decent place for Poutine in this area (outremont/Bernard) I don't know the city well, so I hope this is clear enough.

MrPhil in Quebec (including Montreal)

Hicksville Farmers Market (greenmarket)

Looks like there is going to be a farmers market at the LIRR station in Hickville every Sunday this summer. Got a mailing and did a search - 9 vendors Starts this weekend. through november 9-2

Red Jacket Orchards
Casey Ward, Fisherman
D&J Organic
Bread Alone
Carucci Greenhouses and Farm
Millport Dairy
Madura Farms
Horman’s Best Pickles
Stan-Pat Farms

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Bread Alone
45 E Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza to open mid July in Carle Place, LI --HURRAY!!!

not to extend this even longer, but a big kumo fan (though rumblings in newsday about substandard fish recently)

To bing it back on topic, I wonder how this place compares to the other coal fired pizza places on LI, like Massa (or whatever it's called now) and Grimaldi's

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza to open mid July in Carle Place, LI --HURRAY!!!

Not to continue this off topic, but I agree 100% Food was not good at all and the place had a depresssing feel the one time we went. While not a big sushi buffet fan (rather spend it on good fish in smaller quantities) I would go to Minado before I ever set foot in sushi park again.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Maroni's in Northport, Long Island

I wrote this in 2008, went back in 2009 and felt the same way.

We paid $100 a person, for less I could have eaten at Gramercy Tavern or Jean George. I felt rushed as the multitude of courses came out. Some items were interesting others seemed to be gimmicks in serving. "ohh food served in a shovel" Most of the food was quite ordinary.The "free" wine isn't really free and we were quite lucky for the two of us to sit at a table for four, otherwise would would have been really squished.

All in all, it's really quite an ordinary place that just throws a lot of small courses at you and hopes you don't notice it just isn't that great.

I will say the servers were quite nice and friendly.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

New hot dog place on Rte. 112, Coram/Medford?

I understand what you are saying, but in terms of hot dogs, all I've ever seen on LI is those trucks by the side of the road selling dirty water dogs. Is there anything else (a rutt's hut, hot grill, father & son's, Galloping Hill or the like) on LI. Some the places in NJ, sell mass market, it's what they do with them (toppings, preparation) that makes them stand out to me. I'l sure John will chime in.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

New hot dog place on Rte. 112, Coram/Medford?

Reviewed today in Newsday (paper version, did not look on website) I think I'm going to go soon. Considering the lack of really unique hot dog places on LI, it's worth a try.
As a multi year veteran of the roadfood hot dog tour with John Fox, I've always wished we had just one place that would be worthy of that tour.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Keste or Motorino for special dinner (Grom for Gelato)

Just want to thank everyone for their great responses. We went last week and had a wonderful time. Wife had the Margherita and enjoyed it , I had the Rey and it was good (espcially the cheese) but it was very soggy in the center, I took it slowly hoping it would "firm up" to no avail.

L'art was great! Italian staff was a plus. Generous with the tastes and an interesting mix of flavors. I'm not going to Grom again (as mentioned high prices, stingy portions)

All and all a fantastic time. BTW Keste is closed for a short period of time in the afternoon (think it was 3:30 to 5pm) Based on all this we are planning to make this a standing "date" at least once every few months. Of course once we get to Italy and she gets her fill over the month of August she might change her mind.

MrPhil in Manhattan

Hicksville Dosa Diner $9.95 Vegetarian brunch packs a punch

Just as an FYI, there is a Patel Brothers right down the block 2-3 minutes away by car

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Long Island Gyros

I don't know, he picked the day of a blizzard. I'm sure there will be some excuse. All this talk about it's gyro time is making me plan a trip over there this weekend.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Long Island Gyros

That's what I was told when I asked. Unless they now make "fake homemade looking spindles" in addition to the cones.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)

Keste or Motorino for special dinner (Grom for Gelato)

Would it be better to get there right when it opens for dinner? or will there be a line waiting to get in on a Saturday at 5pm, any suggestions?

MrPhil in Manhattan

Keste or Motorino for special dinner (Grom for Gelato)

First I want to thank everyone for the great responses. I think for this time, we'll do Keste and start with L'Arte Gelato (I did not know they were so close!) move on to Grom (if she wants more or just keep walking to Otto or Bruno for a more relaxing wrap up if she is so inclined) Our outing is at the end of the month (we have 2 small children, so things need to get planned far in advance!-No they are not coming) I'l post a post-meal rundown.

MrPhil in Manhattan

Keste or Motorino for special dinner (Grom for Gelato)

My wife is Italian (from Florence) and has not been home in about 2 years. While we are scheduled to go back this summer, She's been homesick for pizza and gelato. Our anniversary is coming up later this month and I want to try at least to satisfy her cravings till summer. I was thinking that either of these two would be at least close enough. What's you opinion? Any other suggestions for Gelato ? or even pizza?

Don't suggest Labrotorio d' Gelato - Would never ever return , sure he let my wife try one flavor. After filling the cup, he precisely removed the equivalent of the taste he had given her.

Even though it's our anniversary, athmosphere isn't important it's all about the chow.

MrPhil in Manhattan

Authentic barbecue on Long Island

Sadly, up until a few years ago you were 5min from the most authentic bbq in the area ( shack on Jericho turnpike near the suffolk border, smoker in the back, eat on wooden tables) Poppa Ricks, He was closed down and was hoping to open again somewhere else. I have not seen anything about hime since.

MrPhil in New York State (exc. New York City)