FEBRUARY 2018 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 75
DESTINATIONS
The Book Revue (313 New
York Ave., 631-271-1442; info@
bookrevue.com) is the perfect spot
for some literary enlightenment.
On Feb. 13, author Bruno Ribeiro
will share his illustrated fairytale
for adults in verse form: The Book
of All Lovers, a tale of adventure
and chivalry. And, on Feb. 14, Billy
Lamont will be signing copies
of his new poetry book, Words
Ripped from a Soul Still Bleeding.
The poems all have different
messages to share, including hope,
inspiration and social reform. The
Book Revue has been around since
1977 and is the largest independent
bookstore on LI selling new, used
and discounted books.
Walk through history
Want to gawk at the Gilded Age
grandeur of the Gold Coast? Take
a guided tour of Oheka Castle
Hotel & Estate (135 West Gate
Dr., 631-659-1400, oheka.com).
Stroll through the lush gardens
and opulent halls of this historic
chateau that is the second largest
private home in America. It was
originally the summer home of the
affluent Kahn family until its sale
in 1934. After changing hands and
later falling into disrepair, owner
Gary Melius bought it in 1984,
invested more than $30 million
to restore it, and turned it into
a hotel, restaurant and catering
hall. The $50 guided tours by
appointment only are followed by
a two-course lunch at the Oheka
Bar & Restaurant. Visitors may opt
for the regular $25 tour that ends
with cookies and tea in the formal
dining room or grand ballroom.
Showcasing its rich history, the
estate is often used as a location
shoot for TV and film productions.
It was portrayed as Xanadu in
Citizen Kane, served as the set of
Taylor Swift’s music video for “Blank
Space” and was the set of a shoot for
the film Fifty Shades Freed.
Those who prefer literary history can
head over to The Walt Whitman
Birthplace (246 Old Walt Whitman
Rd., Huntington Station, 631-427-
5240 x113, waltwhitman.org),
which is a great place to learn about
America’s greatest poet. The home
is a designated New York State
Historic Site and is listed on the New
York State and National Registers of
Historic Places. Some programs for
children 5 and up include Make A
Dreamcatcher, followed by Victorian
Tea Party, where children learn
dining manners, social skills and
self-esteem. Poetry readers are also
regularly on the agenda, with local
poets encouraged to participate.
Specialty stores galore
If you need a spiritual reading
or just some funky henna design
on your hand or head, stop off at
Henna Happiness (6 East Carver
St., 631-935-2714, hennahappiness.
com), a boutique offering mystical
items, crystals, stones and lots
more. Store owner Trudy Pellegrino,
a professional henna artist and
specialist in Jyotish, a form of
astrology rooted in India, can do a
reading that may help you restore
balance and healing in your life.
For those who adore vintage kitsch
and collectibles and even antiques,
stop in at Rosie’s Vintage (101
Woodbury Ave., 631-549-9100,
rosiesvintagestore.com), a vintage/
antique multi-dealer store that
specializes in the 1940s, 1950s, and
1960s stuff. The store has something
for almost everyone from young
vintage lovers starting out to the
mid-century generation who are
looking to reminisce. With multiple
dealers participating, inventory
changes daily and includes furniture
and decor, man-cave and kitchen
decor, vintage clothing and
accessories, industrial, vinyl records
and one-of-a-kind items.
Step into Kilwins Huntington
(293 Main St., 631-271-4200,
kilwins.org), and you will become
a kid again. Everything in the
chocolate shop known for its
signature chocolate-dipped
caramel apples and specialty
ice cream is all homemade and
features fun names like Superman
— a fruity vanilla rainbow — and
Kilwins Mud (vanilla ice cream
with caramel and chocolate chip),
popular with the kids, and best
sellers Sea Salt Caramel and
Toasted Coconut. They also have
chocolate-covered popcorn, brittle,
Rice Krispies, marshmallows.
“Anything that doesn’t move we
will dip into chocolate,” laughs
co-owner Susan Hirschfeld, who
opened the shop with her son, Jake,
five years ago.
Order up
IMC Restaurant and Bar
(279 Main St., 631-824-6222,
imcrestaurant.com), is where
serious foodies flock. This
modern steakhouse owned by
Brooklyn-based Imperial Meats
features mouth-watering entrees
that include their signature duck
platter, caviar plate, Chilean
sea bass and locally sourced
oysters. Their Japanese Wagyu
tomahawk ribeye steak is one of
their most popular entrees. All
their meats are hormone, steroid
and antibiotic free. Straight from
the mixologist, patrons can enjoy
their Blood Orange Martini,
Black Coconut Mojito or The
Barrel (High West double rye,
amaretto, house-infused black
cherry cognac with a hint of
smoky Islay scotch, a splash of
bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup,
and fresh-squeezed lemon juice)
served on the rocks.
“The drink,” says manager Vincent
Alessi, “is big with guys.”
Bringing some flavor to the village
is Babalu NY, (286 New York
Ave., 631-683-4666, babaluny.
com), The Cuban Mediterranean
bistro specializing in small plates
was launched only 10 months ago
by former pro boxer Alan Gotay.
The Cubano sandwich — Serrano
ham, slow-roasted pulled pork,
Swiss cheese, pickles, homemade
mustard and spicy mustard on
ciabatta — was just rated one of the
top sandwiches on LI.
“We wanted to bring Cuban
style food into Huntington,” says
manager Maggie Senia.
Other specialties include empanadas
and pasteles, a family style recipe
made of green plantains and tropical
pumpkin seed wrapped in green
banana leaves and filled with either
chicken, meat or vegetables.
Enjoy some eggs and bacon
or chicken and waffles, where
breakfast is served all day. The
Shed (54 New St., 631-385-
7433, intheshed.com) is another
newcomer to the village. Lunch
and dinner entrees are also
available and full bar with specialty
cocktails.
Huntington is the hometown of legendary poet Walt Whitman.
Where to dine
Black & Blue Seafood
Chophouse
65 Wall St., 631-385-9255,
blackandbluehuntington.com
Prime: An American Kitchen
and Bar
117 North New York Ave., 631-
385-1515, restaurantprime.com
Honu Kitchens and Cocktails
363 New York Ave., 631-421-
6900, honukitchen.com
Jonathan’s Ristorante
15 Wall St., 631-549-0055,
jonathansristorante.com
TOA Asian Fusion
369 New York Ave., 631-673-7377;
www.toaasianfusion.com
Besito Mexican Restaurant
402 New York Ave.
631-549-0100, besitomexican.com
Hikudo Asian Bistro & Sushi
329 Main St., 631-421-4729,
hikudo.com
Spice Village Grill
281 Main St., 631-271-9700,
spicevillagegrill.com
House of India
256 Main St., 631-271-0059,
houseofindiany.com
Where to stay
Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate
135 W. Gate Dr., Huntington,
631-659-1400, oheka.com
