TY LLwyd farm

A wonderful little farm exists right on Sound Avenue in Jamesport. A group of us this afternoon:) Rachel, Paul, Alar, Tina and Myself decided to go visit the small farm right around the corner.

 From the road, a person driving by would never know the richness and goodies that are down the long driveway. We pull in and the first thing we see is Baby Clover, a one week old baby cow, resting under a tree.

TY LLwyd ( pronounced Tee Clewed) which in Welsh means Brown House, is a farm owned by Liz and Dave Wines.  The farm has been in the family since the 1870s. Offering goodies from free range eggs, fresh produce, milk and sunflowers too. All items they sell are grown or raised or milked on premises.

Dave and Liz kindly allow people to walk around their place and check everything out. It was really nice meeting some of the chickens that produced the eggs I was bringing home with me:)

As our group wandered this charming place we bumped into Liz carrying 2 wire baskets for gathering eggs. I say a fun Hello and introduce myself. Liz tells us how she grew up on a farm in Wales. She also shares that their farm is home to around 1200 Dekalb brown chickens. Some turkeys... a duck or 2 or 3 and some cows for milk.

I ask Liz if I could take a picture of her with the baskets of eggs and she responds with a welsh accent, "If you must:)" Then Liz invited us into one of the many free range chicken areas to watch her gather the eggs.  So many eggs. Such playful happy chickens:)

As our group walked, I noticed how perfectly clean everything was. Dave and Liz recycle and replenish their pastures.... They move their livestock from pasture to pasture to allow for the regrowth of each area.

They treat the entire farm with respect for the environment and the animals themselves.

This wonderful farm is located on Sound Avenue in Jamesport. It's not only a great place to get, in season, produce, free range eggs and milk. This wonderful hidden gem is a place to go and enjoy some time...in the country. Dave and Liz are true farmers.... farming in a way that is healthy for all of us. The animals and the people:)

The Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane

The Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane in Mattituck has been a personal favorite for years. Been there with my kids and my friends. Honey and I have gone as well. We've stayed in the Cheese Cafe for fondue and have purchased cheese, bread and fig cake to take along to a favorite vineyard for snacking all day.

Today, I just felt like a stroll down Love Lane and decided to peek my head into the Cheese Shop just to see whats new. To my pleasant surprise two lovely ladies Ive had the great pleasure to work with in the past were behind the counter working for The Shop. Kelly, Kasey and I enjoyed a wonderful reunion.

 Running into the girls today is a big part of the quaintness of the North Fork. It really is "small town" out here. Theres a strong feeling of community. It may be The Post Office (many North Forkers use post office boxes instead of mail boxes) the Supermarket, the Deli or the Cheese Shop. Theres a good chance of running into people you know. I truly love this about the Sweet North Fork:)

One more quick cute story about community and The Cheese Shop. Went with my Daughter, Best Friend Lauren along with a few others. Was a great experience, as usual. We paid and went on our way. It was almost a year later before I went back in. Needed to pick up some cheese for a Holiday party. The gentleman behind the counter looks up and just like he saw me the day before, says.... "Oh Natasha, last time you were in I over charged you $15. He reached into his pocket and handed me $15. REMARKABLE:) A year later and I didn't even known Id been over charged in the first place. Now, that my friends... is community!!!!!! 

Now......... Lets talk about this charming, sunny place. There is a very International vibe to the Cheese Shop and yet a small town feel as well.  Happens to be one of my daughter Lailahs favorite places:) Its a perfect place to go all year long. Kelly pointed out how nice it is on a rainy afternoon. Can sit in the glass room listen to the rain.... sip a bottle of wine and enjoy some Fondue. Most times its the Italian fondue that Honey and I dip our apples and bread into:) Made with Fresh Aged Asiago, Fontina Val D'Oasta cheese prepared with wine.  My daughters favorite... The Normandy, which is a unique blend of more pungent French cheeses prepared with Calvados.

The Cheese Shop offers many more fondue choices as well as cheese plates from all over the world. France, Spain, Italy, New York State, The Twin Forks or all Goat. 

Small plates are offered as well. Love the Speck, Proscuitte di Parma, Bresaola and Serrano Ham plate. Or how about the Salmon Tartine:) Smoked Salmon slices atop lightly toasted sourdough bread with dijon and capers. 

Honey and I, on a Valentines Day couple of years back did a whole North Fork weekend:) The Cheese Shop was a stop on the way to Jazz on the Vine at a couple of the vineyards. We treated ourselves to several cheeses, a lovely baguette, fig cake and chutney:) 

With so many cheeses, from all over the world, its good to know the staff is knowledgable and really helps to find the perfect selections. Always been offered a tasting of the cheeses as well. 

I highly recommend The Village Cheese Shop:)

Classy North Fork Table

It was another beautiful North Fork Weekend:) To my delightful surprise my Honey decided to take me for  lunch at the classy North Fork Table. Located on the Main Road in Southold.

North Fork Table with its progressive American cuisine is a lovely place to dine. The decor light and fresh. White table clothes over linen. Wainscoted walls in neutral colors create an all over relaxing and easy going  yet sophisticated feeling:)

The food is seasonally inspired, locally grown and bioynamic organic. Honey and I began with a bottle of Merlot from Onbay. A Long Island vineyard. The wine came out along with warm fresh backed french style rolls. My Honey loves his bread:)

Amanda our server was so knowledgeable and sweet. Relaxed and efficient. The bartender Mike also friendly and knowledgeable.

I could not decide between the Stripe Bass or the Sword Fish. Honey went with the Charred Grass fed Black Angus Strip Loin Beef. Served with garlic scented swiss chard, roasted cipollini onion and crisp potato cake.

I finally asked Amanda to kindly choose for me...I really couldn't decide:) Amanda suggested the Harpooned Atlantic Sword Fish Steak ala Plancha. Served with olive oil braised artichokes, nicoise olives, lava beans and saffron aioli.

DELISH DELISH DELISH:) The food almost to pretty to eat...perfect portion size, so well presented and so incredibly tasty. Every bite was an experience. Honey and I couldn't stop tasting each others dishes either:) We both finished every delicious bite.

I do want to say that North Fork Table is pricy. The lunch entrees were 35-40$ each. But you really get what you pay for. Its local and organic. In my opinion worth every penny:)

Im not a big dessert eater but Honey ordered the Warm Sugar and Spice Dougnuts. AGAIN how simply delicious.

We sat for about an hour and a half. We never felt rushed. We chit chatted with Amanda and Mike. Just enjoying a Beautiful Sunday afternoon.

We wrapped up inside and went to explore the outside a bit. North Fork Table also has a Lunch Truck. Can't wait to try the Lunch Truck:) Items like Hartman's Artisan All Beef Hot Dogs served on a toasted Blue Duck Bakery Roll. With "add ons" like fresh homemade pickle relish or homemade sauerkraut. Wild Caught Lobster Roll, North Fork Style Berkshire Pulled Pork, Veggie Sandwiches or Sliced Strip Loin Sandwich.  This is like no Lunch Truck I've ever seen:) There are places to sit outside under trees and enjoy a picnic style lunch.

North Fork Table is a diverse place to enjoy food. The restaurant being a "dining experience" To the Lunch Truck that is so very casual. It was a very enjoyable experience.

Just want to also say to the people who read my blog regularly I took Honey to Croteaux after Lunch. I wrote about that Vineyard last week. Again..... The vineyard....Beautiful.