Date Archives: February 2021

Alright, who wants coffee? Our REALTORS® count themselves lucky to live on Long Island, a place with more great coffee shops than just about anywhere. 

In honor of National Barista Day—coming right up on March 1st—we thought we'd give a shout-out to some of our favorite places to get a cup of Joe in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. While you're there, be sure to thank your barista for helping you make it through the day!

• Kookaburra Coffee Co. - 69 N. Village Ave., Rockville Centre, NY 11570
  Founded in 2007, Kookaburra Coffee Co. offers an expertly curated selection of fine coffees from all around the world. Their baristas can always be counted on for a vibrant, flavorful pour-over or a rich, frothy espresso. In addition to their main location near these Rockville Centre homes for sale, Kookaburra Coffee Co. also has a second shop in Malverne, NY.
  
  
• Cafe Revue - 313 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743
  Equal parts bookstore, coffee shop, and lunch hangout, Cafe Revue is a one-of-a-kind spot, to say the least. This cozy, welcoming space is one of Long Island's best destinations to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. Cafe Revue brews locally-roasted coffee from Southdown Coffee Roasters, located just up the road from many Huntington homes for sale. They also serve a variety of gourmet sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts. 
  
  
• Rivers Cafe USA - 304 Jericho Turnpike, Floral Park, NY 11001
  Family-owned Rivers Cafe USA serves authentic Central American coffees, sourced from the Chinchontepec mountain range in El Salvador. Every cup is perfectly balanced. Their espresso is next-level too, and you'd have a hard time finding a better latte, macchiato, or cappuccino. With their convenient location near these Floral Park homes for sale, Rivers Cafe offers some truly unique and original coffee flavors. 
  
  
• Pipeline Coffee Co. - 1887 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh, NY 11793
  With a focus on fresh, local, sustainable coffee roasted right here on Long Island, Pipeline Coffee Co. is one of the best places around to get a freshly brewed cup of joe from a skilled barista. All their coffee beans are roasted in-house. You can order a cup for takeout, or have freshly roasted beans shipped right to your doorstep. Pipeline Coffee Co. is located in the community of Wantagh, with a second location in Rockville Center. 
  
  
• Village Coffee Market - 131 Main St., Stony Brook, NY 11790
  For coffee lovers, browsing the Village Coffee Market is like being a kid in a candy store. In addition to serving top-shelf coffees and lattes, they also offer an amazing selection of coffee beans, K-cups, snacks, and coffee-related gifts. Village Coffee Market is located a stone's throw from these Stony Brook homes for sale, but you can also order beans to be shipped right to your door.
  
  
• Tend Coffee - 924 Montauk Hwy., Shirley, NY 11967
  Offering an amazing variety of house-roasted certified organic coffees, Tend Coffee opened its doors in 2011, and quickly earned a reputation as one of Suffolk County's best coffee shops. This is a great place to not only sip a cup of coffee but learn more about the flavors you're enjoying. They make some of the best coffee around, including flavorful blends and complex single-origin coffees. The folks at Tend Coffee also ship their coffee anywhere in the USA. 

Contact us today to learn more about life on Long Island. If you're looking for the perfect Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale, our team is here to help every step of the way. 

When it comes to setting the mood, our REALTORS® know that good lighting, good friends, and good music are the best ways to enjoy your new home. Whether you are hosting a party or relaxing after a long day at work, installing a solid sound system will go a long way toward making your home more comfortable. The more music, the merrier, and the following are some steps you can take to enjoy great sound throughout your home.

• Get Ready to Rock the 21st Century!
  Whether you enjoy classical, jazz, country, or modern rock, the best sound systems are built around modern home automation. Upgrading the wiring and WiFi in your home will allow you to enjoy the security and comfort home automation systems offer. Whether you choose a wired or wireless sound system, you will want to establish a central hub to control each speaker. It would be best if you chose a hub that works with all the devices you want to utilize, including the lighting, security, audio, systems you want to install.
  
  
• Choose Your Speakers Carefully
  Different rooms have different acoustic properties. One speaker might work great in a large living room with vaulted ceilings, but it will be overpowering in a smaller room such as a bedroom or bathroom. Thus, choose speakers built for the size of the room. Not only will they fit in better with the decor, but they will also sound better as your favorite tunes waft through the space.
  
  A variety of manufacturers offer a solid range of speakers that you can add to every room in your home. While many home automation recommendations suggest purchasing speakers from the same manufacturer, that's not necessary. What's more important is making sure that each speaker is compatible with your primary home automation system.
  
  
• Create a Steady Stream of Music
  A variety of streaming services have massive libraries of music you can stream into every room in your house. For a nominal fee, you can enjoy the benefit of having a vast array of music at your disposal without having to fill wall upon wall with CDs. 
  
  Of course, you are likely to have some old CDs or MP3s lurking about. Compiling these and uploading them into a streaming service can make it easy to access these without ever having to touch a CD player. 
  
  And, if you're a music purist, there's no doubt you have an old vinyl collection you love to show off to your friends. When it comes to vinyl, better is always best. Don't skip on purchasing a high-quality record player. Choosing one with a carbon fiber tonearm, heavy plinth, and steel or acrylic platter will give you the best sound. A high-quality record player will cost you about twice as much as a low-end option, but it's worth every penny for the sound quality you will enjoy.

There are some amazing Nassau County homes for sale and Suffolk County homes for sale that are wired for incredible sound. We encourage you to contact us to learn more about these fabulous properties and the many amenities they have to offer.  

Valentine's Day might be a bit different this year, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy a romantic evening with your special someone. Our REALTORS® love re-creating the intimate atmosphere of a fine restaurant at home, and they say it's easier than you might think!

Just set the table, dim the lights, put on some soft music, and light a few candles. Then, order take-out from one of the area's best restaurants and let them handle the rest! Here are a few of your best options for an unforgettable Valentine's Day feast. 

1. Gatsby's Landing: 1362 Old Northern Blvd. Roslyn, NY 11576
   If you've been thinking about buying one of the beautiful Nassau County homes for sale, you'll definitely want to get to know Gatsby's Landing. This trendy restaurant and bar offers both indoor and outdoor dining with heaters and plexiglass walls. You'll love the stunning view and elegant ambiance!
   
   If you're planning on avoiding the crowds this Valentine's Day, you'll be glad to know that they also offer takeout and delivery so you can enjoy the globally-inspired menu from the comfort of your home. During the entire Valentine's weekend (Thursday through Sunday), they're offering an al la carte dinner menu all day and chef specials.
   
   
2. Waterzooi: 850 Franklin Ave. Garden City, NY 11530
   If you and your love enjoy seafood, you'll definitely want to consider ordering takeout or delivery from Waterzooi. This Belgian bistro and oyster bar offers an innovative, seafood-focused menu.
   
   Choose from a wide selection of oysters, shellfish, mussels pots, and more! They also have excellent items from the land. Some of our favorites are the Steak Au Poivre and the Wellington Burger made with USDA prime beef and truffled mushrooms sauteed in foie gras mousse.
   
   
3. Crabtree's Restaurant: 226 Jericho Turnpike Floral Park, NY 11001
   The award-winning Crarbtree's Restaurant is another Nassau County favorite. Many would argue that it's one of the best restaurants in New York.
   
   They offer both pickup and delivery. The menu features items like a Grilled Baby Quail Appetizer, Escargots Bourgogne, Half Roast Duck a L'Orange, and Grilled Medallions of Lamb.
     
4. Tellers Chophouse: 605 Main St. Islip, NY 11751
   Meat lovers, rejoice! You're going to love Teller's Chophouse. This refined steakhouse offers the finest quality you'll find outside of Manhattan. We recommend starting with the Duck Fat Fries and Waygo Beef Carpaccio. For dinner, consider the Filet Mignon Wellington with Brie Fondue or the 21-Day-Dry-Aged Porterhouse for Two. No matter what you choose, you won't be disappointed.
   
   Tellers Chophouse is also located not far from some of the best Suffolk County homes for sale. You may want to take the scenic route home so you can get to know some of the great neighborhoods nearby. 

5. Le Soir: 825 Montauk Hwy Bayport, NY 11705
   Nothing says romance quite like fine French cuisine. Le Soir Restaurant offers all the classic items you would expect to see at a high-end French restaurant, including hors d'oeuvers like Pâté de Campagne, Saumon Fumé Escargots Bourguignonne. For dinner, you'll have a choice of entrees like Jumbo Shrimp Risotto with asparagus, sun-dried tomato, and vermouth sauce, Sauteed Lobster, or a Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin stuffed with apples and topped with cider sauce. 
   
   
6. Orto: 90 N. County Rd. Miller Place, NY 11764
   Fans of Italian food will love ordering takeout or delivery from Orto. This rustic restaurant was ranked among the "10 Best Italian Restaurants on Long Island" and has been praised in many local and national publications.
   
   Choose from a selection of delicious appetizers and entrees, or select the two-course prix fixe menu. Some of the most popular menu items include the Tomato-Braised Pork Braciola with creamy polenta and greens, Ricotta Gnocchi with braised chicken and tomato, and the Monkfish with cranberry beans, chorizo, and calamari a la plancha. Don't forget to add their incredible New York Style Cheesecake or House-Made Doughnuts with chocolate sauce for dessert!

Love is in the air, and there's no time like the present to fall in love with your dream home. We're here to help! Contact us today to discuss your goals. We'll start showing you some of the area's best properties right away. 

Pet ownership has mushroomed over the last year, as many homeowners working remotely or overseeing school-age children's online studies acquire pets for an enriched home experience. Single people in particular may find a pet takes the place of some of the lost social life that sheltering in place has required. At the same time, couples and families discover that a pet may strengthen the bonds between them.

If you're looking at Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale, and you have a pet or are looking to acquire one, you may want to talk to our REALTORS® about their recommendations for homes that will fit the requirements of your pet.

Following are some things to think about before you launch into pet ownership.

The Best Pet for You

1. Dogs
   Dogs are generally regarded as the most popular pet choice. They are great companions, and their need for exercise will keep you moving. But do your research if you don't know much about dogs. Some have more rigorous exercise needs than others, and some will need a backyard to run around in. (Do not plan to leave your dog in the backyard for long periods alone — that's a prescription for excessive barking that will annoy your neighbors.) If you're satisfied with a small dog, you won't need to worry much about space. If you have children, be sure to check out the temperament of the dog and how well it does around small people. Canines, depending on the breed, can live from 10-12 years (large breeds), and 15-18 years (small breeds). Make sure you're up to that commitment.
   
   
2. Cats
   Cats are compact animals that fit well in apartments, condos, townhomes, or spacious homes. You may choose between long-haired and short-haired breeds. The long-haired breeds will need brushing to avoid matting. Cats are generally fine being left alone all day, but even they need companionship at times. Cats can live on average from 12-18 years. Again, don't acquire one unless you're in it for the long haul. 
   
   
3. Birds
   Birds are nice companion animals, but some have stronger social needs than others. Canaries, for instance, are generally fine in a cage alone. Parrots don't generally like being left alone for long periods; if you have to be away all day, you might consider getting two. Finches like to be paired, as do love birds. Regardless of the species you get, be aware there will be a mess that needs to be cleaned frequently to keep the bird in good health. They will throw seed on the floor, and you'll need to change the cage liners and clean the perches frequently. The cages should be large enough so the birds can move about. Canaries in particular need room to fly around.
   
   
4. All the Rest
   It's wise to do your research about the needs of all these types of creatures. For instance, hamsters are nocturnal and need low light and quiet in the day so they can rest properly. Make sure that you can provide your pet with as much room as you can, feed it a veterinarian-recommended food, as well as offer chances for stimulation through toys and play. 

Our real estate agents can advise you about choosing homes that meet your pets' needs and yours. Contact us today.