Table With A View

Table with a View- by Barry Kay, Contributing Writer, Trustee

Over the past 20 years, in pursuit of my entrepreneurial ventures, I have travelled around the world, stayed at many of the finest hotels and resorts, and dined at some of the most acclaimed dining venues.  I have had a lifelong love of fine food, and exciting new restaurants.  All this combined with my love of writing led me to become an internationally acknowledged  food editor/writer/reviewer for magazines, and the internet.

In 2011, I met with Joe Cinque, The CEO and founder of AAHS, and entered the amazing world of the Star Diamond Award. Joe is a bigger than life showman, entrepreneur, and world class travel and entertainment critic and friend. Joe’s iconic hospitality organization AAHS which he founded,  and the Star Diamond Award are recognized as the most prestigious designation the hospitality industry has to offer for  restaurants, hotels, spas, cruise lines, and luxury products. It seemed inevitable that Joe and I would combine our unique talents. This year  Joe invited me to join AAHS as a Trustee and contributing writer. I am honored to join Joe and his globally recognized organization in our mission to honor the most outstanding people, places and luxe items in the world.

Working with AAHS and Joe.has given me a  new perception of the hospitality field and what is required to qualify as the the finest. Having lived on the North Shore of Long Island for the past 35 years, I can honestly say that many of the most exciting restaurants are located outside the city limits. Today, Long Island, Brooklyn, & Bergen county in New Jersey  are destinations for the rich and famous because of their extraordinary restaurants and venues. My focus  will be to give you, our readers,insights into the very best dining on Long Island, the Boroughs, and Bergen County in New Jersey.

Roslyn, and Huntington on  Long Island have become meccas for upscale gourmet restaurants. Gillis and George Poll have proven to be brilliant, restauranteurs with 5 of the top dining venues on the North Shore. The Polls made sure  that each of their restaurants is meticulously designed,  and managed, with the very best  food, staff and ambiance.

The Polls own Bryant & Cooper in Roslyn, acknowledged as one of the best steak house’s in New York City, Cippolini- an exciting italian Tratorria on the Miracle Mile in Manhasset,  Toku, Long Island’s answer to Toku also on the Miracle Mile, Bar Frites, a french inspired Brasserie in Wheatley Plaza, and Hendrick’s in Roslyn, the ultimate in sophisticated Urban elegance. The ubiquitous Poll brothers,  took over a moribund and badly aging George Washington Manor and with a large infusion of creativity, cash, and good taste created Hendrick’s. Three of the Poll’s restaurants: Bryant and Cooper, Cippolini, and Toku are star Diamond recipients.

 One of Star Diamond’s most spectacular recipients is the amazing Oheka Castle in Woodbury Long Island, , one of America’s largest private residences. Oheka, was the original home of financier Otto Kahn, and his castle in many ways is reminiscent of the life style of the “Great Gatsby”. In the 20’s Oheka hosted famous kings, queens, political figures and hollywood stars for Kahn’s extravagant parties.  After Kahn passed away, the castle drifted in disrepair and ruin, as a series of owners could not properly maintain the home and grounds. Ultimately, Gary Melius, a visionary builder purchased Oheka and spent years and Millions of Dollars refurbishing the castle back to its original glorious past.  Today, the Melius family has turned Oheka Castle into a dominant force in the dining, event and catering business, with exquisite service & gourmet food. Oheka has become a place where brides dream of being married.  My younger son was married at Oheka, and the ceremony in the “Versaille” like  gardens was unforgettable.  The castle, gardens, cuisine, and service make Oheka, a prime venue of choice for major occasions.

Long Island offers exquisite venues with fabulous food and decoration,  along with highly diverse ethnic cuisines from Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central America. It is also the home of some of New York’s most adventurous and well known chefs  who have opened outposts on the Island.

In our ongoing search for the very best in hospitality we are proud to announce that Stresa restaurant Manhasset,Long Island, has been awarded the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Award for continued.excellence in cuisine, ambiance and service.

Over the past 20 years, Giorgio Meriggi, the owner of Stresa,  created an iconic presence on the north shore of long island. Stresa epitomizes the type of fine dining that was once prevalent in New York City in the 60s and 70s. Meriggi a veteran of Le Cirque, and Quo Vadis , had years of experience in the finest dining venues of Italy, France, Switzerland and Belgium. Today, Stresa continues to offer beautifully prepared classic italian food, a well trained staff , and a sublimely tranquil and sophisticated ambiance. Combining local ingredients in recipes from the north and south of italy along with unique flavor combinations, is all part of Giorgio's culinary genius.

Life is a journey not a destination...Let me take you on a fascinating ride..

Barry Kay

Publisher, Excellence Magazine

Trustee, Star Diamond Award

Examiner Dining and Travel- Examiner.com