Culinary Staycation – Tasting the World in Your Backyard - Mirabelle Restaurant

By Nancy Vallarella

Destination: France

Chef Guy Reuge and Maria ReugeFor a quarter century, an extraordinary culinary establishment dwelled in Saint James.  People would come to this four star French bistro to celebrate life’s milestones. Master Chef Guy Geuge passionately produced traditional French dishes and had a strong devotion to foie gras. Everything was tres manifigue and then in 2009, Mirabelle closed its doors in Saint James.

That same year, a few miles east in Stony Brook, an incarnation of Mirabelle took place. Now located inside the historic Three Village Inn, the latest journey has proven to be successful for Chef Guy, the Lessing’s (owners of the Three Village Inn) and most importantly, the discerning diner.  All of the excellence and French flair shine through in the food but is now accompanied by a scenic location overlooking Stony Brook Harbor and a warm cozy interior.

Chef Guy Reuge oversees the kitchen at Mirabelle Restaurant at The Three Village Inn and his lovely wife Maria (pronounced Mariah) greets each guest at the hostess desk. It may be confusing entering the building, which houses the Inn’s restaurant as well as Mirabelle, but just make a right and look for the lovely women resembling Martha Stewart’s younger sister.

There are many ways to experience Mirabelle. The ultimate French experience would be dinner. The Summer Menu includes French favorites Foie gras du Jour and Duck Mirabelle.  There is Chef Guy Reuge’s Nine Course Grand Tasting Menu for the ultimate French culinary experience. Let’s not forget that France is the largest producer of truffles.  No doubt that this is the inspiration for Mirabelle’s Summer Truffle Menu.

There are small plates; Tapas, available at The Belle Lounge for $5 each and Thursday and Friday night’s weekly wine flights specials from 6pm – closing. Wine flights include three wine tastings paired with three hors d’oeuvres for $15. It is the perfect setting to catch up with friends but beware; the deliciously enticing aromas from the dining room are irresistible. You may want to leave time for dinner as well.

Chef Guy Reuge recently made an appearance on the Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa with Ina Garten. The name of the episode: Barefoot Bistro. It aired on June 30^th and several times this month but the Food Network does not have the episode scheduled to air from now through the end of August. You can view Chef Guy’s segment in the right hand column of Smithtown Matters’ Restaurant and Food Guide. Simply click on the What’s Cookin? Smithtown logo and find it posted at the top of the WCS Facebook page.  The full episode can be purchased and down loaded from iTunes if you want to view how to create the French bistro experience at home with Mussel Bisque, Chicken Liver Moose Mirabelle, Apple Tarts and tips for setting a French county bistro table.

A viewing party was held at Mirabelle for Chef Guy Reuge’s silver screen debut on June 30^th. Guests were served champagne and hors d’oeuvres to include the featured chicken liver moose and miniature croque monsieur. An invitation for this event was posted on Mirabelle’s Facebook page. For more information on Mirabelle’s upcoming events and promotions go to Smithtown Matters’ Restaurant and Food Guide and click on our direct link to Mirabelle’s Facebook page and website.

Merci beaucoup Chef Guy Reuge for keeping a taste of France in our backyard!

17 year old Driver DWI - His Two Passengers Killed In MV Crash

Suffolk County Police today arrested a man for driving while intoxicated after he was involved in a motor vehicle crash in Mastic this morning, which killed two of his passengers.

Ryan Foote, 17, was driving a 2007 Hyundai southbound on Winters Drive, when he lost control of the vehicle. The car left the roadway, struck a fence, and then some trees. Foote’s two passengers, James McClease, 18, and Rashawn Minter, 17, were ejected from the vehicle. Both McClease, of Mastic and Minter, of Mastic Beach, were pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.

Foote was transported to Stony Brook University Medical Center where he is being treated for his injuries.

The vehicle was impounded for a safety check and the investigation is continuing.

Seventh Squad detectives charged Foote with Driving While Intoxicated.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this crash to call the Seventh Squad at 631-852-8752. All calls will remain confidential.

A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant 

Kings Park Parade Committee Awards Two Scholarships

The  Kings Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee presented   $500 scholarships to two graduates of the Kings Park High School Class of 2012. The presentations were made at Professor’s Diner on July 18th, by Kevin Denis, Bob & Gerry Creighton, officers of the Parade Board. The winners are Kaitlin Gallagher and Kaitlyn Trodden. They both presented winning essays on  “ The Significance of My Irish Heritage “.

Kaitlin  Gallagher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Gallagher, plans to study Political Science at Fordham University in the Fall. 

Kaitlyn Trodden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Trodden, plans to study Exercise Sports Science at Coastal Carolina College in South Carolina.  

Dr. Pablo Lavandera - Music Director - First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown

Dr. Pablo Lavandera  Music Director at First Presbyterian Church of Smithtown will be performing as part of “Adventures in Ballet” on Saturday, July 28, at 8pm at Hofstra University. www.ohmanballet.org

Frank Ohman’s New York Dance Theatre presents:“ADVENTURES IN BALLET”  All original choreography to diverse musical genres, Classical, Contemporary, Jazz, Broadway and World.  

Dr. Pablo Lavandera, piano -

Dr. Pablo LavanderaDr Pablo Lavandera, the First Prize Winner of the 2009 Liszt-Garrison International Piano Competition in the collaborative artist category (Baltimore, USA) has appeared as a recitalist, chamber musician, soloist with orchestra and artist teacher through the Americas and Europe including Carnegie Hall, Steinway Hall, Yamaha Hall in NYC, Jordan Hall in Boston, Steingraeber Chamber Music Hall in Germany, etc. He holds a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory, a Performer Diploma from Indiana University and a Doctorate in Music from SUNY Stony Brook. His discography ranges from music by Clementi to contemporary composers. He is currently on the faculty at Stony Brook University, where he teaches piano, coaches chamber music and leads an accompanying class. He came to the US as a Fulbright Scholar from his native Argentina where he had received the “Annual Performer’s Prize” by the Argentinean Society of Composers.  Will be playing:

Three Argentinean Dances Op. 2  by Alberto Ginastera

“Widmung” (“Dedication” ) Schumann-Liszt

“Un sospiro”  (“A sight” ) from Trois etudes de concert  by  Franz Liszt

Nesconset Resident Jason Maloney Begins Climb To Top Of Kilimanjaro

July 20th marks the day that Nesconset resident Jason Maloney starts his climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. Jason and his cousin Brian Maloney are making their climb to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research

Local cousins to scale Kilimanjaro for Breast Cancer research

Climbing for a Cause

Local cousins to scale Kilimanjaro for Breast Cancer researchMount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

By Chad Kushins

It is an obstacle that would both terrify and invigorate the best of us – scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, the symbolic and literal global precipice that has sparked the imaginations and physical limits of adventurers for decades. See article