The Long Island Blog

Snapper fishing on Long Island has definitely past it’s peak, but I’d thought I’d post this anyway.

Every year near the end of August the snappers start feeding heavily before they venture out into the ocean to migrate. These fish are lean, mean, eating machines and that makes them a lot of fun to catch. They’re also very good eating.

Snapper fishing usually peaks around end of August, beginning of September. They’re still out there now, it’s just taking longer and longer to fill the bucket. If you have the patience you can still catch enough for dinner before the day is over.

If want to try your hand at this popular long Island sport have a look at my guide to snapper fishing, filleting, and cooking (with pictures and a video).

Enjoy!

Just 2 weeks ago we Long Islanders were complaining about the end of summer. How it went so fast and there wasn’t enough time, blah, blah, blah. But cooler weather has its rewards (aside from not sticking to the sheets at night).

One of those rewards is my second favorite cookie of all time: Mallomars.

Fig Newtons are my #1 fav, but Mallomars are so close it’s practically a tie. Fig Newtons are available throughout the year, but on Long Island we can only get Mallomars in the cooler weather. They just melt too easily during the summer.

The limited availability exalts these cookies, and this might sound odd, but there’s a box of Mallomars in the cabinet for 2 days now and I just can’t bring myself to open it.

I’ve waited this long, they’re in the house, and rather than tear open the box before the rest of the groceries are put away, I’d like some quiet time to sit down and really savor the first Mallomar of the season.

Does that makes sense to anyone else or I am just nuts?

Here’s a nice little seafood restaurant that probably deserves more respect than it gets. Nicky’s Clam Bar is located at the Fire Island ferry terminal in Bay Shore. While business is busy with travelers riding the ferry, I think this restaurant would do well no matter where it was located.

Here’s my full review of Nicky’s Clam Bar.

You can read about more great Long Island restaurants here. And please dear readers, don’t forget to tell me about your favorite restaurants.

A short post to let you know about my new guide to the Nautical Mile fish markets. There are 3 fish markets on the Freeport’s Nautical Mile offering the freshest fish around. The guide includes pictures and a description of each of the 3 markets and tips for buying fresh seafood.

Above: Porgies on ice at Two Cousins Fish Market

Not many people appreciate porgies. They are very bony fish, but the flavor and fine texture is soooo good.

A quick post to let everyone know that I just finished a short guide to the Nautical Mile restaurants. All 18 restaurants, the Italian ice shop and the ice cream shop are covered. So get out there and eat!

And when you’re done please feel free to tell us about the restaurant you liked best.

During my, uh, “research” for the restaurant article I had the pleasure of running into Rocco Abbondola again. I’ve received some email from readers wondering if he was still alive. Well, not only is he alive, but he’s as rambunctious as ever. If you’d like to meet him yourself he’s usually at Otto’s on Saturday afternoon/evening.

Rocco Abbondola at Otto’s, August 2008

More great contributions from Loving-Long-Island.com readers…

Bill Ober tells a tale of how the Long Island Ice Tea was invented at Jones Beach in 1960.

A. Bella tells us about a strange experience at Long Beach.

Want to tell us your story? Start right here.

Flo’s is a great little snack bar tucked away in a residential section of Bluepoint near Corey Beach. Come here for burgers and fries, wraps, sandwiches, salads, fried clams, calamari and other seafood delights in a nostalgic outdoor setting.

See the full review of Flo’s Famous Luncheonette here

Here’s a great review of Cielo sent in by Lonni Michelson-Prince of Islandia.

Do you have a favorite restaurant? Here’s your chance to rave about it.

Karilyn and I went to the Snapper Inn last night to celebrate her birthday. The food and service were excellent (as always), and there’s nothing like dining by the warm glow of a real wood fire.

This is truly one of our favorite Long Island restaurants. (For more pictures and information please see my full review of The Snapper Inn.)

Toasting with Guinness and cabernet–a reflection of our personalities indeed…

I took this picture of us by balancing the camera on a wine glass at a nearby table and using the self-timer. Yes, I sometimes get strange looks when I do this, but I hate to ask the waiters to snap a picture when they’re busy.

Tell us about your favorite restaurant and see where other Long Islanders are dining.

There are only 4 places on Long Island where you can belly up to the bar for a homemade beer and a burger. John’s Harvard’s is one of them. (For information on the others, see my guide to Long Island beer, breweries and brewpubs.)

A buddy of mine and I spent some time there on a recent Friday night and were somewhat disappointed with the beer. Not so much that I wouldn’t go back, and in all fairness I should, but my first impressions were mediocre.

Here is my full review of John Harvard’s Brewhouse.