Wednesday, November 28, 2007

A Visit to Ocean 3

OK... so we have been wondering what this new place - Ocean 3 - actually is. Sure, the awnings say lounge, restaurant and bar. But what actually was happening there.

So we visited tonight. We met the 3 new owners - George (the cook), Amir and Paul. They have renovated the place substantially. The main dining room is now the lounge which usually doesn't begin until 9:30 or 10 pm. ( We left before that time so I can't tell you what the lounge experience is like.) There is a large open space in the middle and low couches all along the perimeter. They expect to be open until 2-ish during the week and later on the weekends.

The dining room is in the upper section of the upper floor restaurant. The place has been painted and has all new furniture. The food offered is half Italian and half Mediterranean.

The downstairs - also redecorated - will primarily serve their pizza selections and other Italian foods. By the way, the chef from Portofino is still cooking for Ocean 3 and I would imagine he is focusing on the Italian food.

The three owners were very anxious to show us around and explain what they are trying to do there. They are aware that they exist in a residential neighborhood. So we will have to see how this plays out.

The food tasted very good, had nice presentation and was spicey. The service was good... so lets see what develops. Give them a try and let us know what you think.

> Joe

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Lights on the Lane !!!



We often had to wait and wait for the Lane to get adorned with Christmas Lights during the holiday season. Why just last year they arrived only a few days before Christmas. Wonderfully they have arrived weeks early this year and they look magnificent as you drive up or down the Lane.

Make sure you journey up or down the Lane some night over the next few weeks and enjoy the display of holiday lights.

Enjoy them.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Meetings and Thanksgiving

If you missed our meeting last week you missed an update by Angela D'Aiuto on the Preservation League of Staten Island.

If you miss our meeting next month on December 20 you will miss a presentation by Gladys Schweiger, the Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Foundation of Staten Island.

If you sleep through the next 72 hours you will miss Thanksgiving.

From all of us at the NDCCA... Happy Thanksgiving!

> Joe Markowski

Monday, November 12, 2007

November Meeting - Thursday the 15th

Greetings… Autumn has arrived, Halloween is gone and we await the
arrival of the fatted turkey… followed by Winter and the Holidays! Such a wonderful time of the year!

Our guest speaker this month will be Angela D’Aiuto, from the Preservation League of Staten Island. The League is celebrating its 30th anniversary and going throughout Staten Island promoting preservation and planning. They accomplish this in many ways, from offering historic house tours, educational seminars at Richmondtown, advocacy, landmarking and planning initiatives. Plan now on hearing about the important role that this organization plays in protecting our Island.

Our meeting this month is Thursday, November 15, 2007 at the Kells-Grennie American Legion Post, 2750 Amboy Road. We will begin promptly at 8 p.m.

Come. Join us. And… bring a neighbor!

> Joe Markowski

November 2007 - Chit Chat

Wow. It happened so quickly. One day Portofino Restaurant on Richmond Road was closed for painting and now it is to be replaced by Ocean 3 – a place that is being mentioned as a “restaurant, bar and lounge”. I wonder what all that will mean for us? It sounds like something we need to keep an eye on... A special thanks to Chris Maccarone at the Restaurant on the Plaza who has been including a copy of our newsletter with his outgoing orders in the days before our meetings… About that enormous structure being constructed at Bache and Edison, a building which is truly out of character with the surrounding housing, that we mentioned last month, well there has been a development. It appears that the work permits for that building are being revoked. Now I’m not sure just what that means. What will happen to the current structure? Will a new proposal be offered that will allow it to continue? Will it need to be diminished in size? We need to watch and see what happens next… And a special thanks needs to be extended to Ron Cole who coordinated a “yard sale” which resulted in a nice profit to the Association. Thanks Ron!... Want to get more involved with your community and our organization? You can make a difference. There are a number of other ways you can contribute by joining or chairing a committee. Call 718-979-6011 and let us know that you are interested… The Sanitation Dept reminds us that they will be collecting fallen leaves in PAPER LAWN AND LEAF BAGS or unlined 20 to 32 gallon containers. Leaves placed in plastic bags are subject to fine$$$... There will be a lecture on “Dispelling Myths About Landmarking” at 7:30pm on Friday, Nov16 at the Courthouse at Historic Richmondtown. The speaker will be Tara Harrison – a staff member of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Call 718-980-1551 with questions…

Friday, November 9, 2007

Sanitation, Veterans Day and Leaf Collection

Just a reminder... there will be no garbage or recycling collection or street cleaning on Monday, November 12.

Residents who normally receive Monday garbage collection should place their trash out at curbside Monday after 4pm for pickup.

Those receiving Monday recycling collection will NOT have their recycling picked up until Monday, Nov 19... So don't put your recycling out!

Also, all Staten Islanders are responsible for raking fallen leaves on their property and placing them out properly in compostable lawn and leaf bags ( that is, in paper bags or unlined 20 to 32 gallon containers ) for special collection after 4pm on Saturday Nov 10 ( tomorrow ) and/or Saturday Nov 24.

Note: Residents who put out their leaves in plastic bags face a $25 fine for the first violation, $50 for the second and $100 for the third and each subsequent violation. Leaves in plastic bags will be treated as garbage and thrown in refuse trucks because the plastic does not decompose.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Dining Through New Dorp at Brioso


We had a wonderful time at Brioso on Thursday night as 25 of us gathered together for good food and good conversation with good friends.

We were treated wonderfully as we dined on fine foods in a wonderful New Dorp restaurant.

Make sure you plan on joining us next time as we support the businesses in our community... and our love of good food!

And if you want a great meal make sure you make a reservation at Brioso's on the Lane.

> Joe