BEST FARMSTAND
The Harbes family has farmed on Long Island for 13 generations. When you visit their Mattituck farmstand, you’ll experience centuries’ worth of caring and hard work. Fruit and vegetables don’t get fresher than the produce grown on the Harbes family’s North Fork farms. If the luscious tomatoes, peaches, apples, and melons make you hungry, try the roasted sweet corn, handmade apple cider donuts, and fresh-popped kettle corn. Even the bees work hard on the Harbes family farm–fresh honey is for sale alongside locally produced specialty treats. Save room for the homemade ice cream. Harbes Family Farmstand, 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 631-298-0800, harbesfamilyfarm.com/mattituckfarmstand
BEST WINERY ON LONG ISLAND
Just in time for harvest season, Martha Clara Vineyards’ variety of red, rosé, white, sparkling and dessert wines offers something for every occasion. Let’s recall that its 2010 Merlot was named the best in the state, a coveted honor, to be sure. These vintners know how to treat what ferments inside their oak barrels with loving care. In case you’re curious, Martha Clara was the revered mother of the owner, bakery executive Robert Entenmann, who transformed a potato field into a thoroughbred horse farm before he began planting Vitis vinifera grapes on 18 acres in 1995. Now his operation encompasses more than 100 acres, including a tasting room, and hosts concerts and events. For miles around, Martha Clara has rightly become known as one of the North Fork’s finest vineyards. Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-298-0075, marthaclaravineyards.com
BEST HAUNTED HOUSE
Franklin Square Horror will scare your socks off! One of the biggest and scariest haunted walk-throughs on Long Island, Franklin Square Horror is a tradition for thousands of Long Island families and friends. Upon entering, you will be immersed in hundreds of feet of pure terror! See if your family and friends can make it through the different terror-filled chambers and pockets of fright without running for the hills. Every season, Joe Allocco’s Franklin Square is host to an exciting and terrifying array of ghoulish horrors that will give you an evening you will never forget. During the Halloween season, scares begin at 6 p.m. and continue till 10 p.m. Joe Allocco’s Franklin Square Horror, 1148 Norbay St., Franklin Square, Facebook.com/FranklinSquareHorror
BEST GERMAN RESTAURANT
Willkommen! For an authentic Oktoberfest experience, this is the place for giant pretzels imported directly from Munich that you can wash down with their thirst-quenching home-brewed Plattduetsche Kolsch, along with a great assortment of German beers you can enjoy outside at their wonderfully inviting Biergarten when the weather’s right, or inside their convivial Beer Hall building, where their proud heritage is on display. There’s a reason Plattduetsche Park Restaurant has been voted, once again, the Best German Restaurant on Long Island. Since 1939, this place has been serving traditional specialties and continental cuisine, from bratwurst to leberkase and Jaeger schnitzel, and so much more, with a commitment to quality and dedication to superb customer service! Plattduetsche Park Restaurant, Catering & Biergarten, 1132 Hempstead Tpke., Franklin Square. 516-354-3131, parkrestaurant.com
BEST PET CLOTHING STORE
It’s sweater season not just for us, but also for man’s best friend. While the saying “If you look good, you feel good” is definitely true for us humans, we’re not the only ones who appreciate a trendy tee or a stylish sweater—our dogs do too! Repeat Best of Long Island winner Fetch, located in Huntington Village, offers designer brands for canines of all different sizes. And since our pets are like our children (just admit it!), seeing your prized pooch decked out in fleece coats, couture dresses, and fashionable collars is priceless! Fetch, 44C Gerard St., Huntington Village. 631-824-6636. fetchshops.com
READY, SET, VOTE!
Vote for your favorite businesses and people in the 2019 Bethpage Best of Long Island program, Oct. 1 through Dec. 15.
Step 1: Visit bestoflongisland.com
Step 2: Click “Vote Now”
Step 3: Fill out form
Step 4: Select a category and click “Vote”
Step 5: Repeat for all your favorite people and businesses
To find other 2018 Bethpage Best of Long Island contest winners, visit bestoflongisland.com Nominations for the 2020 contest open Jan. 1.
