Readers' Choice Winner: ENCORE Personal Chef & Catering

Readers agree ENCORE keeps them coming back for catering needs.

The Board of Education elections weren't the only landslide victory this week in Syosset. Patch readers agreed overwhelmingly that the best place for Memorial Day and party catering is ENCORE Personal Chef & Catering. Since 2005, Chef Antoinette Gillespie has not only catered parties, but also catered to the needs of her customers. "I charge whatever they can afford," she said Friday. "I go with the client's desires." Gillespie said her presentation, professionalism of staff, and creativity in her dishes are what has kept customers coming back and referring others. In fact, she gets so many encores that she says she has never had to advertise. "She is always at all the parties we had and my guest are always blown away by her presentation …

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Historic Maine Maid Inn Designated as Landmark

Town Board's decision offers protections for the historic home and stop on the Underground Railroad.

The Maine Maid Inn, once home to Valentine Hicks and a hiding place for runaway slaves, has earned a landmark designation that could help preserve it. The Oyster Bay Town Board voted unanimously Tuesday to grant town landmark status to the currently vacant structure hidden in a corner of Jericho. What's more, Supervisor John Venditto said at least two restaurants are interested in operating the old mansion as a restaurant again. Thomas Abbe was delighted by the decision and thanked the broad coalition of historians and civic leaders who joined forces to preserve the old Hicks homestead. "Your thoughts and actions helped carry our efforts to today's success," said Abbe, who serves as clerk of the Jericho Preparative Meeting of the Religious…

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Joe Dowd

1:03 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

As a resident, I'm thrilled to see this happen. This effort will preserve a very important part of Long Island's past. This Quaker enclave is a way for our children to look back at our history and inspire them to the future. I've greatly enjoyed writing about this and look forward to future updates. jd   more ›

Poll: Too Many Banks in Syosset?

Are we inundated or do you enjoy the convenience?

Syosset is due for another bank at the old location of Bicycle Planet. According to signs on the construction site, TD Bank will be added to the growing list of banks in town. By Patch's count, there are more than 15 banks in Syosset and Woodbury, most of them located on or surrounding Jericho Turnpike. While this gives people the luxury of not having to travel far for their own bank, some feel they are popping up at an unnecessary rate. Are there too many banks in Syosset and Woodbury? Is having so many banks convenient or overwhelming? Are they located in proper sections of town or are there some that seem out of place? Vote in the poll below and tell us in the comments!

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Readers' Choice: Best Catered Food in Syosset

Memorial Day weekend is about tangy backyard barbecue and sweet cole slaw. But what if you can’t make it all? We want your pick for catered food joint.

Sides of mac and cheese, potato salad and cole slaw go great with any family get together. So do trays of penne alongside sausage and peppers. That’s a Long Island feast done Italian-style. Whatever your preference, Memorial Day weekend is all about backyard gatherings of friends and family. But whether you fire up the Weber grill or channel your inner Martha Stewart, preparing the entire banquet may be too much to handle. You’re in luck. Quality caterers abound, from the local meat market and deli to the neighborhood restaurant or grocery store. Time to weigh in. Syosset Patch is looking for the best catered food in town. Readers’ Choice is a new weekly feature where we ask you – our readers – to tell us your top picks. Each Monday we’ll …

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Heather Doyle

6:18 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Yup, we're adding them to the list for tomorrow, thanks to you and Syosset Mrs.   more ›

Bond Failure Angers Huntington Officials

News from around Long Island, May 12.

Some of the news from around the Island this week. Failed $24 Million Bond Issue Draws Fire A Huntington Town Board resolution to refinance $24 million in municipal bonds failed Tuesday, drawing sharp criticism from members of the Democratic majority toward minority party members of the board who requested more time for review. Sponsored by Supervisor Frank Petrone, the resolution called for refinancing of bonds issued from 2002-05 at lower interest rates. Social Media Panel Draws a Crowd Port Washington Public Library's Hagedorn meeting room was nearly packed to capacity Wednesday afternoon for a panel discussion on social media, and community. The event brought a lively discussion, almost immediately. "I enjoyed the panel because it …

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100 Things to Do in Syosset

No. 56: Tidy Up Syosset on Saturday

Come downtown for the 11th annual Clean-up Day to make Syosset Spotless.

For this month's 100 Things to Do in Syosset we are meeting at the Dunkin Donuts by the train station at 9am on Saturday, rain or shine, ready to spiff up our streets at Syosset's annual Clean-up Day. This is a 100 percent volunteer event. But additional logistics, such as same-day sanitation removal, will be handled by the Town of Oyster Bay Highway and Sanitation Divisions. Participants will be provided with gloves, trash bags, shovels, rakes, and brooms but bring along a trash grabber if you have one. And naturally, long-time Syosset resident and Town Councilman, Chris J. Coschignano will be pitching in to the effort. This coordinated effort goes for only about two to three hours so be sure to show up on time. Groups of seven to 10 will…

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Farmingdale to Offer a "Taste of Long Island's" Best Products

New Main Street business will also offer commercial kitchen space.

A new business on Main Street plans to become a showcase of the best locally produced food products Long Island has to offer. Set to open this month, "A Taste of Long Island" is a specialty food market selling products exclusively produced on Long Island. The range of products will be amazing, from butter churned on small farms to designer beer produced in larger batches. The new business is also run by two other Long Island products, Jim and Courtney Thompson, the father-daughter owners of A Taste of Long Island at 211-A Main Street, Farmingdale. A second function of the enterprise will rent out licensed kitchen space to small operations that need a certified facility to produce their home-grown products. The kitchen space is rented to …

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A Taste of Long Island

2:24 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012

Michele, you have email! :) For anyone else who is interested in selling their Long Island produced food products in our store, we would love to hear from you as well! Email us at atasteoflongisland@gmail.com for more details!   more ›