Food: The Stone Turtle Resturant

The Stone Turtle is fine dining with a flare, and that makes them my Eco-Wednesday recommendation this week. Executive Chef Gregory Baumel shares his imaginative take on Eclectic cuisine – everyday food with a twist – crafted with the season’s
freshest ingredients: local organic veggies, the freshest fish and meats that are raised on their farm in Texas. I mean who would have thought of wild boar sausage in lasagna, or South Texas Antelope burgers? The Tuna Club is made with Sashimi grade tuna and I promise you, it will be the best non-traditional club sandwich you will ever have.

Not to be over shadowed by great clean-tasting food, they have a dessert called “dirty ashtray” that will put you over the top. Created around the same time of the cigarette band, it is chocolate, ice cream, molded cookies and then froze with yet more chocolate and when you ‘put your fork out’, the entire beautiful dessert looks like….well, a dirt ashtray (but I promise you’ll be fighting to lick the bottom.). If you are a choco-halic, 99 percent of the dessert menu will more than exceed your expectation and taste.

Let me say that the vibe of Stone Turtle and its staff is, “come on in, stay a while”. Truly a friendly establishment with its own ‘library’, the soothing waterfall adds a calming and cozy touch. This is a perfect place for you to pick up one of the many cookbooks (are you a Beatles fan - you'll love the collection), or have a slice of Chocolate Jack Daniels Pecan Pie with a cup of tea. How about playing one of their many board games or just relax and catch the game on TV in the bar area? What makes this a great mix for me (beside the food) is the wonderful eclectic mix of classic rock, Motown and some Sinatra thrown in for good measure. Are you looking for a wonderful space for your rehearsal dinner, bridal shower or bachelor party? They have a ‘wine room’, which is intimate and wine/spirits list to match, which will leave all your guest feeling the love.

The heart and soul to any great establishment is the kitchen (and you know chefs NEVER show a kitchen). Chef Baumel opened his kitchen to me for a visit and like the food, it was clean and friendly. He truly takes the love and fun from the kitchen and brings it directly to your table. So, if you’re looking to get out of the city, even just a great date-night get-a-way, head to the Stone Turtle. Like the story of the "Hare and the Turtle", their 'relaxed and steady wins the race' attitude is a welcomed change from the rush of the city. However don't be surprised if this is the one time when, the ‘hare' will just end up on your table, in a potpie.

For more information check out their site http://www.thestoneturtlerestaurant.com or their facebook page: facebook.com/stoneturtle

The Stone Turtle Resturant - accessible via LIRR (Island Park stop)
4160 Austin Blvd.
Island Park, NY, 11558
Phone: 516.431.6570