(Photos by Christopher Birsner)
Village of Farmingdale’s revitalization has brought in a lot of businesses, especially those in the dining industry. With an array of restaurants to choose from, it is only fitting that Main Street be given a moniker that represents that.
Last week, the village announced in a press conference that it is officially dubbing the strip the “Culinary Quarter,” encapsulating the quarter mile that is filled with different eatery options the village offers.
“It is the brain child of the Farmingdale Village Merchants Association, specifically that of The Nutty Irishman’s Joseph Fortuna and 317 Main Street’s Eric LeVine,” said Mayor Ralph Ekstrand. “They brought the idea to the village and asked what I thought. I said that we should poll the merchants association and see what they think. Everybody loved the idea.”
Fortuna said they got the idea when LeVine brought up that he was a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and Kristina Grimes, owner and chef of Thymes On Your Side Artisan Market & Cafe, also went to the institute.
“I thought, you know what, this is great,” said Fortuna. “How do we let people we know that we have a few chefs that went to one of the most prestigious culinary schools in the nation? Then, I thought about the Nautical Mile [in Freeport] and the Miracle Mile [in Manhasset]. We came up with ‘culinary’ and then we came up with ‘quarter’ for the quarter mile Main Street runs. It started falling into place.”
The village filed the trademark patent and also reached out to Nassau County since they own the street. They got permission from County Executive Laura Curran to go forward with the plans. They unveiled two signs at the ceremony for the Culinary Quarter, but the real signs won’t be made and hung up for a few months.
In attendance at the ceremony was Curran, Legislator Rose Marie Walker, Assemblyman Michael Montesano, Town of Oyster Bay clerk-elect Richard LaMarca and many village officials.
“The village has a longstanding history of diversity and a wide variety of dining options,” Ekstrand said in a speech to the public. “But during the last few years, the village has quickly gained the reputation of becoming the go-to spot for couples, families and food connoisseurs.”
Along with the three restaurants mentioned above, culinary options on the strip include CaraCara Mexican Grill, The Library Cafe, Croxley’s Ale House, Tiny Thai, Main Street Pizza Company, Wings Over America, The Meetball Place and more.
“I knew I was coming to Farmingdale today when the salivary glands started going,” said Curran at the press conference. “Thanks to all of you for being hungry and making sure that everyone knows about this Culinary Quarter. Come down to Farmingdale and have your date night right here.”
Walker presented a citation on behalf of herself and Legislator James Kennedy, who both represent the area. State Senator Kevin Thomas, who couldn’t make it to the event, also gave a citation to the village.
“Farmingdale is really the hopping place to go,” said Walker. “We are working on the downtown revitalization in Hicksville and I will look towards the culinary expertise in Farmingdale to help bring restaurants into that area. I enjoy coming here with my family. You have so much to offer. Thanks to the village, the chamber and our culinary experts for making this happen.”
Joseph Garcia, the president of the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce, said that he thought the Culinary Quarter was a great idea and he believes its gives a solid explanation of what the village offers.
“I think that anything that solidifies what the village has become to the surrounding communities,” said Garcia. “We are a dining place where friends and families can come together and have a really excellent meal at a resonable price. Farmingdale has been feeding Nassau for all of eastern Nassau for a while now. It feels like you are going off on vacation to Lake George or Cape Cod but you’re doing it Wednesday night after work or on a Saturday night.”
“Residents know how much the village has changed over the years and it really has become a culinary spot to go,” said Ekstrand.
