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Participating 2004 |
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DYLAN'S CANDY
BAR 630 Old Country Road, Garden City (516) 877-7060 |
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Looking
for a hard-to-find nostalgic candy bar or Skittles sold individually
by flavor? For these unique treats and more, Dylan's Candy Bar is the
place. Dylan's is owned by Ralph Lauren's daughter, Dylan Lauren. The store, which has three other locations, opened in June 2003. It caters to people who want their tastes, no matter how specific, satisfied. "Hershey's and our store are the only two retailers that sell the Hershey Kisses individually by color," says Allison Krakoff, the store's general manager. Dylan's also exclusively sells M&Ms individually by color and occasion (messages like "It's a boy" can be printed on the candies), Skittles individually in unique flavors like strawberry-watermelon and kiwi-lime, and a large assortment of nostalgic candies, such as BBats and Abba-zaba bars. While adults might be attracted to this trendy shop for a capuccino or some nostalgic candy, there's a lot for children there too. The store has a party room for birthday parties, and even rents out the whole store for this purpose. Dylan's deals a lot with big vendors like Hershey's and Mars, but also keeps a local feel to business. The chocolate covered pretzel rods and potato chips the store sells are made right on the Island. "A lot of our vendors are local vendors that we've used out of friendships that they have with Dylan," says Krakoff. At the Chocolate Lover's Binge, Krakoff plans to impress with Dylan's wide array of party favors, including chocolate booties and personalized chocolate-covered oreos. Dylan's will also conduct a chocolate-decorating activity at its table. The store, which is located in the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, is open on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information see their website at www.dylanscandybar.com. |
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THE
COLD STONE CREAMERY 7959 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury (516) 921-4730 |
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It’s
not just ice cream, it’s an adventure. That’s the best way
to describe the experience of visiting the Cold Stone Creamery, a fine
ice cream establishment, which has been located in the Woodbury Village
Shopping Center for a little over a year. Delicious ice cream served
in what seems like a million flavors, and a staff that works tirelessly
to make your time with them special, makes a visit to the creamery very
much like a trip to Disney World. You’re immediately welcomed as you walk in the door, and then led to a Ghea (Ice Cream display freezer) by one of Cold Stone’s “Mix Masters.” First time customers learn about the freshly made ice cream and receive a sample of Cold Stone’s “Cake Batter,” the franchise’s most celebrated recipe. Cold Stone employees go through serious training to make sure each customer has a memorable experience as well as ice cream that is out-of-this-world. Mix Masters learn scripted lines and responses that fit each customer’s personal needs. They help the first timer make their very own Cold Stone Ice Cream “creation,” or choose from one of the store’s great tasting recipes. The Mix Masters will also sing songs about ice cream to you when you put a tip in their jar. The dining room has tables placed in a cafe setting, while upbeat music, and a bright happy ice cream theme decor make for a cheerful and appetizing atmosphere. It may be the aura and theatrics that get you in the door, but what will keep you coming back to Cold Stone Creamery is the ice cream itself. Cold Stone makes a premium blend that creates a sweet heavenly taste, and the flavor combinations are almost endless, ranging everywhere from peanut butter to cheesecake. Every season, the creamery introduces a new flavor to the repertoire. This month Cold Stone presents a Black Cherry flavor that is guaranteed to make your belly full, and your tongue blue. To even widen the selection process, the Creamery offers 82 mix-ins for your ice cream; from homemade brownies and waffles, to all different types of nuts and sprinkles. No matter what your favorite flavor or topping mixer is, one thing all dessert fanatics can agree on is that the Cold Stone Creamery is an ice cream lover’s dream come true. |
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THE HICKSVILLE
SWEET SHOP 75 Broadway, Hicksville 516-931-0130 |
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First
opened in 1925, the Hicksville Sweet Shop is one of the oldest establishments
of its kind on Long Island. Long located on Broadway right in the heart
of downtown Hicksville, the Shop has since manifested into a luncheonette
that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner after the Zourous family purchased
it from the primary owners back in 1967. But they stay true to the grand
tradition of the original Sweet Shop not only by maintaining an old-time,
mom-and-pop feel but offering the finest in homemade ice cream, available
in 15 classic flavors, in addition to chocolate, cakes and whipped cream,
all made fresh daily the old-fashioned way. It is a true Island landmark
that has existed successfully on word of mouth alone, passed down through
the generations by parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to their
own kin, amended with 80 years of stories about first dates, fist fights
and fun times with friends shared within its confines. "The secret is that you gotta give your customers the best, and treat them the best," proudly proclaims owner Eva Zourous when asked about the Shop's remarkable staying power. "You gotta give them good quality, and they'll always come back." The Hicksville Sweet Shop, located at 75 Broadway, is opened Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM, on Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM and is closed on Sundays. |
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HAHN'S BAKERY 75 Allen Blvd. Farmingdale (631) 249-3492 |
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When
a bakery does one thing as well as Hahn’s Old Fashion Cake Company
does crumb cake, there is no need to put any other bakery items on the
menu. When it comes to making crumb cake, the Hahn family has put quality
ahead of all else, and because of this their baking business has not
only survived, but continues to thrive at a time when so many other
establishments have struggled to keep their heads above water. Twenty years ago, Andrew A., and Regina C. Hahn created their legendary crumb cake recipes, and began what was to become the Hahn’s bakery business in their very own kitchen. Word of mouth began to spread, carrying the message of the great oven creations that Mr. and Mrs. Hahn were producing. The rest, as they say, is history. The hottest items at Hahn’s include their signature recipe, The Old Fashion Crumb Cake, which has been called the Best Crumb Cake in New York, The Raspberry Walnut Crumb Cake, and of course the Chocolate Lover’s Crumb cake. Andrew M. Hahn, the Chief Operating Officer is the second generation of the family business, and has taken the concept of “old fashioned” baking quality and joined it with the cutting edge business practices of the modern day. People come from all over the Island, as well as the tri-state area to treat themselves to a Hahn’s crumb cake. Due to Andrew C. taking the business onto the internet, Hahn’s Bakery creations are finding their way into the hands of crumb cake enthusiasts across the country on both a retail and wholesale level. Now every occasion and holiday can be made better by sending the gift of a Hahn’s delicious crumb cake. Visit www.crumbcake.net to find out how to place orders and treat your friends and loved ones to “A Taste Of Old New York.” |
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HICKORY'S 674 Port Washington Blvd. Port Washington, NY (516) 883-7174 |
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When
local entrepreneur Eddie Pappalardo graduated from college in Amarillo,
TX, he took away with him an insatiable love for the art of BBQ, one
that could not be quelled by anything on the menu at the local Kentucky
Fried Chicken. Seeing there was nothing on Long Island like the classic
BBQ shacks he visited regularly while away at school, he decided to
open up one of his own in Port Washington, and in 1984, Hickory’s
was born. Pappalardo, also an inventor and published author, offers
everything from pulled pork to smoked brisket to some of the finest
ribs and chicken plates you will find on the East Coast at Hickory’s,
and has recently introduced homemade ice cream and custard to his loyal
customers, which brings the Hickory’s brand to this year’s
Chocolate Lover’s Binge. Ever the inventor, Pappalardo has conspired
a recipe for his unique brand of custard utilizing the eggs of ducks
raised right here on the Island. "I wanted to make something locally that represents Long Island," he explains. "So I was trying to think of some formulas with duck eggs, and I’ve been making small batches of homemade ice cream and frozen custard over here, which incorporate eggs. So I began using Long Island duck eggs because no one else was doing it. It’s a really great product and has been doing very well." Hickory's custard, which will be encased inside a chocolate egg Cadbury’s style, is one of the most anticipated confections of the Binge. But if you can’t wait to give it a try, pay Eddie a visit at Hickory’s at 674 Port Washington Blvd. in Port Washington. They are open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8:30 PM. For further information give them a call at 516-883-7174. |
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Z CAFE 838 Broadway Massapequa, NY 516-476-3060 |
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Everybody
loves a good fondue. And Steve Cetronio, owner and operator of the newly
established Massapequa-based coffeehouse Z Cafe, is pleased to present
chocolate lovers his unique “fondue for two” at this year’s
Binge. The Z may have only opened up its doors six weeks ago, but it
has experienced a groundswell of business by providing a genuine, mellow
alternative to Starbucks’ corporate coffee slinging with a nightly
open mic stage, board games and couches to lounge. “I’m
looking to bring in a college crowd,” Cetronio proclaims. “People
that can see my place as a hang-out spot. I’m not necessarily
looking for the at-home crowd.” And in addition to coffee available
in all flavors, the Z Cafe also features an array of exotic teas ranging
from Turkish Apple, Green in two kinds, Fruit, Licorice, Irish Breakfast
and Chamomile, root beer floats and an assortment of canolis and cakes.
But it’s the Z’s soon-to-be-famous fondue, which is available
in the three classic strains of chocolate, that being dark, milk and
white, that has people talking about this happening new coffeehouse.
The Z Cafe is located at 838 Broadway in Massapequa and is open from
4:30-11PM Monday through Thursday, and 4:30 PM - 2 AM on Friday and
Saturday. |
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OAK
TREE DAIRY 544 Elwood Rd. East Northport, NY 631-368-8050 |
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How
on earth could a successful Chocolate Lover’s Binge go down without
the free flow of milk to wash down all those delicious samples? Oak
Tree Dairy, along with its sister business Dairy Barn, have been fixtures
of Long Island households and neighborhoods for over 60 years. Established
by the Cosman family in 1941, they are one of the oldest and most successful
businesses in the area, providing milk for 90 percent of the school
districts in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as several schools
around the Five Boroughs. The Oak Tree brand can also be found at all
the local Wal-Marts and Eckerds as well as various bodegas and mom-and-pop
grocery stores throughout the area. And who hasn’t enjoyed the
convenience of driving up through one of the many Dairy Barns located
throughout the Island to pick up a loaf of King Size bread and a half-gallon
of ‘65 Blackout chocolate ice cream? The Oak Tree empire proudly
brings its delicious brand of chocolate milk to this year’s Binge,
and manager Carl Bonewald promises it will not disappoint. "We are a whole chocolate milk that will expire in 10-12 days. The chocolate that we use is very high grade and you can tell that in the taste," he professes. "It's also very thick. It makes that glugging sound when it comes out of the container. It's a great quality product." Bonewald also claims Oak Tree chocolate milk can also be served great hot. "It's a fabulous hot chocolate," he proudly states. "You can pour it in a mug and stick it in a microwave and it’s the best hot chocolate you're ever gonna have." For more information regarding Oak Tree Dairy, give them a call at 631-368-8050. |
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HAAGEN DAZS
OF HUNTINGTON 52 Wall St. Huntington, NY 631-421-2332 |
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"The
franchise here is great and the name obviously is synonymous with a
great ice cream," proudly proclaims Peter Fisichella, owner and
operator of the Haagen Dazs store on Wall St. in the heart of Huntington,
originally established in 1978, one of the first of its kind to open
in the country. "The product sells itself, it's just a matter of
what I can do as far as providing an alternative to our competition." Fisichella certainly has a leg up on said competition by bringing one of the most beloved ice cream labels in the world to this year's Chocolate Lover's Binge. Fisichella will be providing several of Haagen Dazs' great chocolate-based flavors at their table, including the classic original chocolate, chocolate chocolate chip, deep chocolate peanut butter and rocky road, which is one of the label's newest flavors after combing the sea and sand for years in search of an all-natural marshmallow. Another new flavor making an appearance is the much-lauded Belgian chocolate, a personal favorite of Fisichella's. "It's got thin shavings of chocolate in there so when you eat it, you feel these little chocolate slivers in each bite," he enthuses. "It's absolutely incredible." Haagen Dazs is located at 52 Wall St. in Huntington, and is open 11AM-10PM Sunday through Thursday and 11AM-11PM on Friday and Saturday. |
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CHOCOLICIOUS 195 Forest Ave. Locust Valley, NY 516-671-6835 & 335 S. Oyster Bay Rd. Plainview 516-681-0900 |
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Located
in the posh Locust Valley district of Nassau County, Chocolicious is
one of the finest chocolatiers on the North Shore. Owner Susan Midura,
who opened up shop 13 years ago, specializes in a diverse array of cocoa
bean-generated sweets, including truffles, chocolate-dipped fruits including
strawberries, raspberries and blueberries, said to be their most popular
items, as well as what Midura describes as "unique favors";
handcrafted personalized chocolate molds for any occasion. "We do chocolate baskets with a design on the front of them for whatever occasion it is, say a sweet 16 or a dove, and we fill it with truffles," she proudly states. "And the basket is of course edible as well. We get all sorts of requests." Midura just recently opened up a second Chocolicious location in Plainview after discovering the town was lacking in a chocolate store, offering the same great variety of sweets that has kept their Locust Valley shop swimming in success for almost a decade and a half. Chocolicious is opened Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sundays. Chocolicious is located at 195 Forest Ave in Locust Valley, and its Plainview satellite branch can be found at the Plainview Shopping Center at 335 S. Oyster Bay Road. |
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EMILY'S
CHOCOLATE STORE 204 Smithtown Blvd. Nesconset, NY (631) 265-8960 |
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"We
specialize in the artistry of chocolate," proclaims Emily Gardner,
owner and proprietor of Emily's Chocolate Store located in Nesconset.
"We don't just make candy. We view what we do as more of an art
form than anything else." For fourteen years, Emily's has been providing the North Shore of Suffolk County with some of the most inventive ways to eat chocolate. From roses to rabbits to houses to a veritable cornucopia of wedding and party favors of all shapes and sizes, Gardner seems to have a mold to satisfy just about any chocolate lover’s taste and style. Her most elaborate creation, however, is a 30-foot-long Cinderella coach complete with horses that Emily makes on special occasions and will be on display at this year's Chocolate Lover’s Binge. There is also a host of additional treats available at Emily's including jelly rings, nut clusters and a galaxy of gourmet delights that will surely please any eager sweet tooth. They also provide supplies for you to make your own chocolate at home, including lollipop sticks, molds, cake decorating supplies and of course unmolded chocolate in a variety of colors. Emily's Chocolate Store is opened on Wednesdays from 10 AM to 8 PM, Sundays from 11 AM to 3 PM and the rest of the week from 10 AM to 6 PM as well as by appointment for parties and events. They are located at 204 Smithtown Blvd. right in the heart of Nesconset. For more information, feel free to give them a call at 631-265-8960. |
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SHERYL'S
CHOCOLATE CREATIONS 11 Commercial St. Hicksville, NY (516) 681-4060 |
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Sugar
free chocolate? The sound of it is like an impossible dream for those
who gain weight from the scent of a freshly opened package of M&M's.
But just before you convince yourself there is no such thing as a health-conscious
chocolate that's every bit as delicious as the kind that rots your teeth
and leaves you hunched over with obnoxious stomach pains, Sheryl's Chocolate
Creations in Hicksville is pleased to announce the launch of two new
low-carb, sugar-free treats appearing at this year's Chocolate Lover's
Binge. Utilizing a new ingredient called erythritol, a non-laxative,
low caloric, alcohol-based sugar substitute that's safe for diabetics,
Sheryl's Chocolate Butterflies could very well be the world's first
honest-to-God, guilt-free chocolate goodie. They are available in a
1 lb. gift box of 29 60-calorie Butterflies, each with only 8 grams
of carbohydrates, 6 grams of dietary fiber and 4 grams of erythritol.
Also making an appearance at this year's Binge are Sheryl's chocolate
covered sourdough pretzels. They are also available in a 1 lb. tote
gift box, and each pretzel has a serving size of 110 calories with only
16 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of dietary fiber and 5 grams of erythritol.
Both of these products contain no trans fats and are certified as kosher
dairy. Sheryl's Chocolate Creations has been open in Hicksville since
September of 2003. They are primarily a wholesale outlet, but they also
have a storefront that is open from 10 AM to 4 PM Monday through Thursday
by appointment only. |