Dan's Papers - October 12, 2007 - From The North Fork To NYC

There are many ways to define the beauty of the North Fork of Long Island. The farms, the Long Island Sound waterfront, the harbors of Greenport and Orient, the Victorian homes of Mattituck, Jamesport and Southold as well as the fine farm stands. For many however, it is the wonderful vineyards of the North Fork that bring so many out to visit and do wine tastings. Living in Cutchogue in the summer are restaurateurs Suzanne and Francois Latapie. Suzanne, whose love affair for the North Fork has been going on for years and now is attempting to spread the good cheer to the people of the upper east side of Manhattan via one of her and her husbands three restaurants.

The Latapie's have declared October, "New York Wines and Dines Month." This is happening at their Bistro Chat Noir located at 22 East 66th Street in Manhattan. In attempting this for the first time, Suzanne Latapie is featuring produce from the North Fork specifically of Paulette Satur and Eberhard Muller. The North Fork wine they are featuring is from Peconic Bay Wines, and Wolffer from the South Fork. Suzanne's husband Francois was the Maitre de at Le Cirque for many years. Now they are hoping to have a special night, with Paulette Satur and Eberhard Muller actually doing the cooking of their North Fork produce for the clientele of the Bistro Chat Noir. Due to schedule conflicts, the date of that event is still being worked on. Francois and Suzanne also own the lovely restaurant Orsay, located at 75th and Third Ave in New York City.

Francois Letapie was also a Parisian chef, but has decided to play a more supervisory role in their restaurants. Suzanne believes the North Fork has influenced both her and Francois in so many wonderful ways. They now believe themselves to be huge proponents of many North Fork products and actually hold wine tasting events throughout the year. In fact a year ago, by chance, I met Suzanne placing a large order at the Lenz winery for a certain special white wine. That day all she did was talk up the North Fork, almost never mentioning her restaurants in Manhattan. She was showing me produce and specific bottles of wine right in a parking lot.

Suzanne is hoping that October's "New York Wines and Dines," becomes a tradition because she looks forward to creating special nights to promote the produce of the North Fork for years to come.

For information about this event you can reach Suzanne at Bistro Chat Noir by dialing 212 794 2428 on your phone or visiting their website at www.bistrochatnoir.com.

The beautiful fall season is now at hand, the grapes are all but in and the process of making the wines for next season. The farm stands are all stocked with wonderful fresh produce. The reports are super and the prospects for another great vintage are forecast.

If you have never tried it, a visit to the many vineyards along the North Fork is a must. And for those who know, perhaps it's time to go back and restock for Thanksgiving and the upcoming winter. One of the benefits of living on the North Fork is the easy availability of these prime local wines. They always taste better when you know they come from a local place.