Editor's Notebook

Wine Experts, Patch Editor Judge Waters Crest Culinary Contest

The duck dish with dry rosé wine ruled the day at Waters Crest contest — but the creamy striped bass dish with an Asian twist was darn good too.

I’m glad I skipped breakfast this past Saturday. During my first go as a judge of “Master Chef Challenge II” — a fine-dining culinary contest / wine tasting at Waters Crest Winery in Cutchogue Saturday — I had an afternoon of a lot of indulging ahead of me. Sitting with co-judges Pascal Zugmeyer, a native of Toulouse, France and expert on all things food and wine, and Macari Vineyards winemaker Kelly Urbanik, who was educated in viticulture in California, I felt a bit like the redheaded stepchild of the panel. But, I did have the following on my side: I worked for about five months at a wine bar years ago, I’ve worked with all sorts of chefs at various waitressing jobs, I’ve written about Long Island Wine Country for almost four years now…

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East End Business Book: Whole Foods Set to Open in Wainscott

In Riverhead, Peconic Paddler for sale after 47 years; yoga studio opening in Hampton Bays.

Our East End Report, a wrap-up of the week's news from Greenport to Riverhead to Montauk, recaps each Patch site's most compelling story. Below, we bring your our weekly business wrap-up, so you're in the know on which businesses are coming and going in the area.  Let us know if you have any news tips you'd like to see reported by emailing your local Patch editor. And for the small business owners out there, one way to market your business is by claiming your Patch directory listing. Peconic Paddler Up for Sale After 47 years of renting and selling canoes and kayaks to those who want to enjoy the beauty of the Peconic River, Jim Dreeben, owner of the Peconic Paddler, is calling it a day.  Dreeben has listed his long-established business …

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Open for the Season: The Loft in Greenport

Greenport restaurant famous for its outdoor second-story dining is ready for a great 11th season in business.

GREENPORT, N.Y. — Melina Angelson and husband, Perry, opened up The Loft — the bar / restaurant above the Harbour Front Deli on the corner of Front and First Streets in Greenport — last weekend just in time for Mother’s Day as usual. But a week into her 11th season, Angelson said business is particularly good this year. “So far it’s been really good, knock on wood,” she said from The Loft’s second-floor outdoor dining area famous for its great views of the village and harbor. “The regulars come back just like the osprey in season.” The Loft will be open Thursday through Sunday, 12 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 12 to 10 p.m. on weekends. New items on the menu this year include a duck burger, new salads and new desserts. They are open for lunch …

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5 Things You Need to Know Today

Thursday: Caregiver Appreciation, ‘The King and I’ Debuts, Vote for Seafood

There’s lots to do this May 17.

Get out and enjoy all the North Fork has to offer today — here are five highlights: 1. San Simeon by the Sound nursing facility in Greenport will host a special reception from 4:30 to 6:30 for Caregiver Appreciation Day. The event is part of National Older Americans Month. Refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and spa services will be available. Call 631-477-2110 or go click here for more information. 2. Catch “Mozart’s Sister,” a 2010 French film showing at Floyd Memorial Library as part of the Greenport library’s spring film festival. The film about Nannerl Mozart, Wolfgang's elder by five years and talented musician in her own right, starts at 6 p.m. Call 631-477-0660. 3. Every Thursday is open mic night at Peconic Bay Winery beginning at 6:30 p…

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EVENT: Master Chef Challenge at Waters Crest Winery

Noted Long Island chefs will battle for approval from judges; North Fork Patch editor will be tasting.

With his Master Chef Challenge, Waters Crest Winery owner Jim Waters has found a way to pair Long Island culinary talent with his own brand of local wine — and attract new people to his winery. “It’s fun, we get to interact with customers and meet new people,” he said. “We just want to have a good time and taste the food with the wine.” The second-annual Master Chef Challenge will take place this coming Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Cutchogue winery. This year, chef Tom Fazio, chef at The Kitchen and Waterside Caterers in Northport, will take on chef Lia Stanco Fallon, executive chef and owner of Amarelle in Wading River. The panel of judges include local wine guru Pascal Zugmeyer, Macari Vineyards winemaker Kelly Urbanik, and North …

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Reader's Choice: Favorite North Fork Seafood Spot

Living on an Island, it’s hard not to find fresh seafood. But what local spot has you hooked?

It’s one of the joys of living on Long Island, the abundance of fresh seafood and the sheer number of places where the local oysters are shucked and slurped by the dozen, where bright red lobsters drip with drawn butter and fillets of fish from fluke to tuna come baked, broiled or fried. So this week let’s find out what local seafood place has you hook, line and sinker. Reader's Choice is a new weekly feature where we ask you – our readers – to tell us your top picks on the businesses and local attractions that get your loyalty. Each Monday we’ll list our nominees recommendations. Did we leave your go-to spot off the list? Go ahead and add it in comments. On Friday we’ll tabulate all of the poll votes, comments, recent directory reviews …

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