By Paddy McCarthy
By the time you read my Out&About this week I will be sailing on the Celtic Cruise around the island of Manhattan, New York City. This cruise is sponsored by AOH Division 7 to benefit The Emerald Isle Immigration Center and I am sure that the cruise will be at capacity with the best of Irish music with live bands on the three decks. Now here is the best part: it will have open bar, hot and cold buffet dinner and my favorite with dessert. Now again I am sure that I will have met Captain John Tulley and his second mate Dermot Kelly by then to make sure that everybody is having a good time. I know they will as I know it to be a great event where you can meet so many people that you’ve not seen since the last cruise and it is going to be a blast, as it always is.
Talking about going Out&About, if you’re ready for a bit of traveling, take a trip out to Long Island, New York. My advice is that you should pay a visit Port Jefferson Village that is so unique. I was in a place called the Port Bistro and Pub (201 Main Street, Port Jefferson; 631-828-2550) which is a family friendly restaurant that serves classic dishes and specializes in old world authentic foods and recipes. The service is with an Irish touch and Lorraine, who served us, was a total professional and so accommodating with her time in serving our table. I have to tell you that, it was just brilliant as the staff and the owners deserve five stars for all they do to make you comfortable and serve you the best cuisine you can get anywhere.
There are so many nice bars and restaurants in Port Jefferson that you should visit as well and another one that I do recommend is Grumpy Jack’s Sports Bar and Restaurant at 28 Oakland Avenue in Port Jefferson (631-642-1942). This is where I got to meet the great music performer the one and only Andy Cooney for lunch many times, highly recommended and it has the Irish flavor all about it as well and family owned. Come see Jack, family, and long time staff at Port Jefferson’s “Hidden Gem”. Established in 2007, they are excited to be your “go-to” family restaurant and bar, offering 16 beers on draft and their outdoor patio is open year round! Famous for their buffalo wings, 1/2 pound burgers, and weekly specials, their menu features English style Fish & Chips, Sheppard’s Pie and 16 oz. Steaks and more.
Here is a little history on Port Jefferson which was first settled in the 17th century and remained a rural community until its development as an active shipbuilding center in the mid-19th century. The village has since transitioned to a tourist-based economy. The port remains active as a terminus of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry, one of two commercial ferry lines between Long Island and Connecticut, and is supplemented by the terminus of the Long Island Rail Road’s Port Jefferson Branch.
It is also the center of the Greater Port Jefferson region of northwestern Brookhaven, serving as the cultural, commercial and transportation hub of the neighboring Port Jefferson Station, Belle Terre, Mount Sinai, Miller Place, Poquott, and the Setaukets.
Port Jefferson has been home to the annual Port Jefferson Village Dickens Festival every year since 1996. The festival celebrates the works and times of English novelist Charles Dickens. It takes place during a weekend early in December and typically includes many events and occurrences, such as the regular sighting of people who dress in 19th century clothing, house tours, the reading of winter-related poetry, caroling, and booths set up by local businesses. Students from the Port Jefferson Middle School and High School submit poetry and art that are used in the festival. Free concerts of seasonal music by various ensembles are presented at the Methodist church.
Many small festivals are held during the summer, showcasing music and crafts. Each Fourth of July sees a substantial parade on Main Street. The village also hosts an annual outdoor concert series and film screenings, both of which currently take place in Harborfront Park throughout July and August.
In keeping with its seafaring heritage, Port Jefferson hosts its own annual boat race series known as the Village Cup Regatta, with proceeds benefiting cancer research. Now where would yea get it? So, hop on your bike and off you go and visit Port Jefferson as you will love it, now remember I told you so.
You’ve also got lots of beaches close by so that you can bring your bucket and shovel that the kids will love in the sand.
I said to myself I will give my Out&About readers something different so here it is for you and anybody out there who would like to give their favorite town or village a shout out, just let me know and off we go in my Out&About.
I hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About once more…