Clyde's Guides and Other Stuff

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Montauk Manor, Montauk, Long Island, NY

Here I am at Montauk Manor, located in Montauk, Long Island, New York where Rob and I attended an Italian car show, which included everything from old and new Fiat's to Ferrari's. There even was a Mini Cooper there.

Here you see the elegant Tudor style of this graceful and historic hotel, but you've got to check out the inside to fully appreciate this National Landmark.

Montauk Manor began in 1925 with industrialist Carl Fisher, who wanted to create "the most fabulous summer resort ever imagined in the western world." And in 1927, the Manor opened to the public. Built entirely on Signal Hill, this beautiful luxury resort includes a spa, tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness and recreation center. You can enjoy a leisurely game of golf, spend the day fishing or travel by jitney to the beach or any of the surrounding parks.

Recently restored and renovated to all its former glory, Montauk Manor is open all year for everyone to enjoy it's magnificence. It can accommodate your every need, whether it be business or pleasure, this place has it all.

You can take advantage of the Manor's 140 condo apartments or enjoy the deluxe hotel services that this hotel has been famous for since 1927.

So come out to visit Carl Fisher's dream of a "Castle on the Hill" in beautiful Montauk, Long Island, NY, also known by locals as "The End."

As usual, I'm including my usual links at the bottom of the page. Rob took some great pics which I will also include.

Here is the official website of Montauk Manor, which will explain in detail the history of this beautiful hotel. Please enjoy the virtual tour. The website will explain everything you need to know about the hotel and the surrounding area.

http://www.montaukmanor.com/about.asp#

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Gourmet Burger Bistro, Port Jefferson, LI, NY

Look at that burger! You'll never find one that will be its equal.

We are at GBB, otherwise known as Gourmet Burger Bistro. The burger that's in front of me is the Napa Valley burger that Rob and I shared. The meat is marinated in cabernet with a minced shallot patty. It is topped with fresh basil, red onion, tomatoes and Monterey Jack cheese with a pesto mayo.

It's also served with lots of delicious onion strings and a pickle. The fries are served separately, but believe me, you get plenty of onion strings and that fits the bill. If you do get the fries, which is what we did the second time we were there, you won't be disappointed. Everything there is delicious. That night, Susan had Spinach Feta burger without the bun (and you have three choices to choose from, btw) which is a chicken patty mixed with crumbled spinach and feta and covered in cucumber yogurt sauce. Yum yum.

GBB was started in 2008 and is family owned and operated. In a time when burgers were gaining in popularity, GBB had only one goal in mind and that was to "serve the finest burgers with the freshest ingredients." Each burger is made to order and is uniquely all their own creations. They have a wide selection to choose from, chicken, turkey, veggie or seafood. And I can tell you that their crabcake burger is phenomenal! You can even build your own burger and it can be done at affordable prices.

Only one side of the eating area

It is located in beautiful and historic Port Jefferson, which overlooks Long Island Sound. Walk around the town, shop, watch the ferries arrive and depart, but most of all soak up some history. This town is famous for it. Then sit back and enjoy the finest burgers this town has to offer.

The other side of the bistro

All the servers are courteous, friendly and will answer any question that you may have. We didn't have a long wait (and we've been there 3 times already) especially if you are there early and believe me, you will never be disappointed. Mike, owner and chef, is very personable and friendly and will go out of his way to make you feel at home.

This is the owner, Mike.

If you are in the neighborhood, please check out Gourmet Burger Bistro, located in historic Port Jeff.

Here are the usual links:

Here is their website:
http://www.gourmetburgerbistro.com/about.html

Verizon Fios1 news video spotlighting GBB
http://www.fios1news.com/longisland/node/4078

Village of Port Jefferson website
http://www.portjeff.com/

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Underground Railroad Center, Christiana, PA

This is Historic Zercher's Hotel located in Christiana, PA and is now the site of the first public Underground Railroad Center. Opened on September 11, 2006, it tells the story of the Christiana Riot, which took place not far from this location 161 years ago on September 11, 1851. This is considered to be one of the first confrontations that led up to the American Civil War.

You can't see me unless you blow up the picture, but I'm sitting on the bench on the far left.

The story actually begins at freed slave William Parker's residence where Maryland plantation owner Edward Gorsuch and his son, Dickinson came to retrieve 4 of his runaway slaves that had taken refuge in Parker's home. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 gave permission for a slave owner to take back his property (runaway slaves) wherever they were found and in the process arrest those who had harbored them or prevented them being returned to the owner.

When Edward Gorsuch called for Parker to return his property to him, Parker resisted and thus began the fighting. Four Quakers and 34 former slaves stood against Gorsuch, who was killed in the riot. His son was critically wounded, but not killed. He was taken into the nearby farm of the Pownell family, where he recovered. Parker was actually a tenant of the Pownell's and his house was on their property.

This sign marks the site of freed slave William Parker's residence where the resistance began. The house was demolished in 1895. There are no remains.

Meanwhile, Gorsuch's body was brought here to Zercher's Hotel. This is also where a government inquest began regarding the Christiana Riot.

Monument commemorating the Christiana Riot.

The hotel was built in 1830 and is now the offices of the Charles Bond Corporation who have been at this location since 1915. They are the producers of industrial gears and gear boxes. The company started off as the Christiana Machine Company which began its operation in 1834 until its sale to Charles Bond in 1915. It is adjacent to Zercher's Hotel historic site. One of the first railroad lines in the nation ran through here, the Columbia to Philadelphia line, but there is nothing left of that to be seen. However, there is a railroad bridge not too far away. We didn't go, it had just rained the night before and we were warned by our guide, Mark, that the trail to walk there would be muddy.

The museum is free, but it is only open by appointment on the weekends. The rest of the week it is open from 9 am to 4 pm. It is a self guided museum with interesting exhibits regarding the riot. This is highly recommended. Mark was extremely informative and spoke to us for over 2 hours that Saturday morning. This is definitely the place where freedom began.

Updated: There is something that I forgot to mention and I'd like to add it now. Dickinson Gorsuch had a younger brother whose name was Thomas. He was only 15 years old when his father was killed and was left an orphan. He and his family were devastated when a not guilty verdict was rendered by the jury. Thomas complained bitterly to a friend who would later refer to Thomas as his "bosom friend" and about how Northern abolitionists left him an orphan. It also weighed heavily on his mind that his father's killers were set free without punishment and that these were "injustices that called out for revenge." That friend who Thomas confided in was none other than John Wilkes Booth who would shoot President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre 14 years later.

As usual, there are more links down below:

Christiana Underground Railroad Center as listed in the Lancaster County online guide..

http://www.padutchcountry.com/members/christiana_underground_railroad_center.asp

Article on the history of Zercher's Hotel and the history of the Christiana Riot. It was actually a press release for the opening of the Underground Railroad Center. There are pictures of the opening ceremony on September 11, 2006.

http://www.afrolumens.org/ugrr/zercher.html

Records and history of the Christiana Machine Company

http://www.hagley.org/library/collections/manuscripts/findingaids/christianamachco.ACC2135.html

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Maureen's Kitchen, Smithtown, LI, NY

I'm sitting at my table with Rob and Susan on the wraparound porch at Maureen's Kitchen in Smithtown, waiting for my pistachio pancakes to arrive any minute. I've been told by our server, Carolyn, that this is the only place that serves up these unusual pancakes.

The original Maureen's Kitchen in 1985 photo

It is known by the regulars as the best breakfast place in Suffolk County, but Maureen's also serves lunch. They have daily specials that make your mouth water. This is the third time for Rob and Susan and each time they've gone there, they've always had something different.

Maureen Dernbach started serving breakfast and lunch from this small house in 1985. The tiny kitchen could only hold 10 people. When it burned down eleven years later, she moved across the street and built the lovely Victorian house we ate in today. You can see the house in the picture below.

These days, it is run by son Kevin and daughter Christine and it's a thriving business. They are open Monday through Friday from 7 am until 3 pm.

Present day Maureen's Kitchen across the street built in 1996

Rob and Susan visited for the second time last Wednesday. They arrived around 11:30 and, although it was crowded, there was no wait at all. Although we were able to pick where we wanted to sit, we were given seats inside the restaurant.

But this cannot be said for Saturday and Sunday. The hours over the weekend start at 7 am and end at 1:45. This morning, we arrived a little after 8 in the morning and, again, although it was crowded, we were able to get a seat on the coveted wraparound porch. As we were on our way out, we noticed a group people waiting in their small, but heated waiting area. My recommendation is DO NOT ARRIVE AFTER 10, especially on Sunday, if you do not like to wait. It can be up to an hour wait after that time.


The waiting area. The entrance to the wraparound porch is through the door straight in front.The entrance to the restaurant is on your right

The wraparound porch

Maureen's is decorated in what I like to call early cow. There are cows all over the place, from the tablecloths and chair coverings to the motorcycle in the waiting room. There are cows all over the place, on the walls, on the shelves, outside the restaurant and inside the bathrooms. Christine tells us that these cows are donated from people from everywhere.

The counter and inside seating area


Inside the restaurant from another angle

Carolyn, our server, went out of her way to recommend the pistachio pancakes and Jerry, the head waiter, was very kind and informative. He answered all our questions about the history of the restaurant and whatever he didn't know, he recommended to ask Christine or Kevin.

Very moderately priced, Maureen's Kitchen does do great breakfast and was very helpful and patient with us this morning. Another recommendation is the croissant french toast and the special. It is different and delicious and not to be missed. It goes along with those great pistachio pancakes that we had this morning.

I have included this link to yelp at the bottom of the page. Unfortunately, there is no online menu. If I do come across one, I will add it.

Tons of reviews from yelp

http://www.yelp.com/biz/maureens-kitchen-smithtown

Monday, January 2, 2012

Walter's Hot Dog Stand, Mamaroneck, NY

Happy 2012 everyone. Yes, it's been a long time since I've updated this blog, but I'm back now, thanks to many requests.

Susan, Rob and I took a trip upstate this afternoon after reading about a small hot dog stand called Walter's Hot Dogs in Mamaroneck, NY. This is not to be missed. It has been called the best hotdog in the world and they aren't kidding.

Here I am enjoying their sweet potato fries which are very different than regular fries. Basically it's a sweet potato fried in a tempura batter, so there is still real potato inside. Their hotdogs are delicious. Susan had a Puppy Dog, which is half a hot dog and Rob had a regular size. They are split and grilled and absolutely delicious. Their fabulous mustard, which uses special ingredients and they make themselves, is out of this world.

Walter's is a local favorite and when I say favorite I mean it. When we arrived at 11:30 am, the place wasn't open yet. We pulled around to park and ran into Kelly who is engaged to marry Chistine, who is Eugene's daughter, Walter's son. He opened the place at 11:45 and within 15 minutes, a small line of 15 people formed. By the time we finished, the place was busy with orders to stay or to go. It is truly a hot dog stand and is open every day, winter, summer, spring or fall with picnic tables on the side you can eat at.

Many of the people we spoke to have been coming here for over 5 years, some over 50. Many said that it was family tradition. This stand, very eye catching from its Palmer Street location, was established in 1928. But it's not the original stand which was on Boston Post Road where business actually started in 1919. Walter Warrington started off selling apples and apple cider from his own orchard in Quaker Ridge. He moved south of Post Road where he began selling his unique style hotdogs which are a mixture of pork and beef.and are split and grilled. When the property was condemned, he purchased the Palmer Street location and has been here ever since. It is now run by Walter's son, Eugene, and there is a picture you can catch from 2001 on their website, which I will include at the bottom in my links section.

Their house is in back of the stand and can be seen from the parking lot also located in the back of the stand. It is pictured here on the left.

Walter's Hot Dog Stand has also been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 2010 and has a sign to prove it. It will be unveiled sometime in the warmer months, but I have a sneak preview which is exclusive to this blog.

The building itself, a pagoda with dragon style hanging lamps, has been declared a National Landmark and listed on the County Inventory of Historic Places as typifying a 1920's roadside stand since 1991. It has also been mentioned in Road Side Delights and is also featured in Drive I-95 in their 2004 edition.

Here I am by the plaque

This fabulous landmark eatery is not to missed. We ended up buying four more hot dogs to bring home and also sampled their curly fries. Their hot dogs are one of a kind and the workers are friendly and will answer any and all of your questions without a problem. This is one place that I highly recommend if you are in the Westchester area.

Here are my usual links

The official site. Full of wonderful postcards and photos and a wonderful history of the stand. All in all one great site.
http://www.waltershotdogs.com/index_flash.html

Wikipedia article with lots of links on the bottom.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter%27s_Hot_Dog

Here are a few more photos:

Sunday, September 18, 2011

St. John's Church, Cold Spring Harbor, LI, NY

Welcome to Greenleaf, Indiana, folks. Yes, I know what it says on top, but this is the church that hosted the ill-fated wedding of Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) and Emily Montgomery (Joan Cusack) in the film "In and Out." Only the exterior was filmed here at St. John's Church and I will include the clip from the film in my links below. The opening scene from the movie was filmed in the neighboring town of Northport.

According to the Church's website, most of the property that St. John's stands on was once the estate of John Jones. At his death, two members of the family Joshua L. Jones and Charles H. Jones donated this land instead of money. At the same time, however, members of the same family, fifteen to be exact, voted and raised two thousand dollars to build this church on September 4, 1831.

The architect was Smith Sammis and construction began in 1835. The building was consecrated on April 5, 1837 by the Reverend Benjamin Treadwell Onderdonk.

As the church expanded, more land was needed and was gladly given by the Jones family. St. John's Memorial Cemetery, one miles to the west on Route 25A in Laurel Hollow, was deeded to the church in 1862. It is a beautiful cemetery designed by the Olmstead Brothers. Many famous people are buried there, including the philanthropist Otto H. Kahn, former owner of Oheka Castle. Be sure to check out my blog on Oheka Castle for more information.

If you want to check out the Jones' family cemetery, it's opposite the church, but you'll have to walk uphill. It's crumbling, but it's interesting to see. All of Long Island's prominent families are buried here: Hewletts, Seamans, Youngs and of course, Jones.

The rectory was built when the last surviving Jones' sisters donated their 1698 home to the church. When the church couldn't afford to buy the pond in the 1930's, the Jones family offered to put up most of the money. The church was able to buy the rest.

The church has survived 170 years and its congregation includes 400 families and there is not a Jones among them. It's a lovely church and looks like it belongs in New England rather than on Long Island. There is a fish hatchery next door and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory across the street.

Here are the links:

Official site of St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor. A more detailed history can be found under About. There you will find a pull down menu. This is the site that I got my information from.

http://stjohnscoldspringharbor.org/
Scene from "In and Out" showing St. John's Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxV6rJG8qyw&feature=related

Cold Spring Harbor Labs

http://www.cshl.edu/

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery
http://www.cshfha.org/

Here is a link to the St. John's Memorial Cemetery in Laurel Hollow, LI, NY. Explains the history
http://stjohnscoldspringharbor.org/about/memorial-cemetery.html

Link to Oheka Castle:
http://clydesguides.blogspot.com/2010/11/oheka-castle-cold-spring-harbor-long.html

Monday, September 5, 2011

Coindre Hall, Huntington, LI, NY

This is Coindre Hall, originally built for pharmaceutical magnate George McKesson Brown in 1912. Originally known as West Neck Farm, it was built to resemble a medieval French chateau. This 40 room mansion sits on 34 acres of land and overlooks Long Island Sound opposite Huntington Harbor. Susan and Rob often passed the boathouse, which sits at the bottom of the hill. They always wondered if the mansion still existed.

When Brown lost ownership due to the stock market crash of 1929, the property was sold to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart who established a boarding school and summer retreat in 1939. It was named in memory of Father Andre Coindre, their founder.

The boathouse and Huntington Harbor

After the school's closing in 1971, it reopened as the Eagle Hill School, a private independent school.

It has been part of the Suffolk County Department of Parks since 1973 and its 34 acres is currently used as a dog run and hotel.

As of September, 1985, Coindre Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Weddings and private events are also held here. Mirabelle Private Events was kind enough to let us come in to shoot some of the renovated rooms of the mansion, which I will share with you.