Oink Ink: Got ink? The folks at Huntington’s hottest barbeque joint, Hog House (200 W. Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station, 631-271-4200), are happy to help you add some ink — to your skin gallery, that is. A sign near the register at the eatery makes an offer to tattoo buffs: get yourself inked with the Hog House logo and Hog House will pay for the tattoo. The logo — a corpulent smiling pig encircled by the words “Hog House Barbecue” – could fit in well for bikers who gather at the joint Tuesday nights for HOG night — a reference to the Harley Owners Group’s moniker for their motorcycles. But anyone is eligible and according to the store’s co-owner Adam Goldgell, they already have one taker. The Foodies’ only question for the Hog House guys is whether there’s a restriction on where the tattoo should go. To us, it makes sense to require that it be in a place that’s likely to be visible. We’d also advise potential tattooees to keep in mind that wherever one gets the charming pig inked on your body, you’ll have to show it to the boys at Hog House.

HOW THE BUFFALO GOT WINGS: Buffalo wings, the wings of chickens – not buffalos – baked or fried, coated with a spicy hot sauce and served with a blue cheese dressing has become a worldwide bar staple. Give credit for their creation to Theresa Bellisimo at the Anchor Bar, her family restaurant in upstate Buffalo, New York. Taking the part of the chicken that was often used for soup or thrown away, in 1964 Teresa made an impromptu snack and American kitchen creativity became history and buffalos got wings.

FOODIE FAN: You know, the Foodies love to hear from readers, and we’re happy to share comments in this column. (Especially the complimentary ones… like this one). Foodie fan Roseann De Groot wrote: “I like the new Foodie section in The Long-Islander. The in-depth article on The Mansion at the Woodlands (June 13, 2006) was good enough to make me call them for a little bit more information and found out that they have an a la carte Brunch on Sunday – noon to 3 p.m. I have been subscribing to three weeklies but if you keep up Foodies in The Long-Islander I’ll stay with it. Some day you must look at Mill Pond in Centerport and 34 New Street in Huntington – very good food and not expensive.”

WINE IN THE COURTYARD:  “The finest and largest wine tasting event on the Atlantic Coast,” will be held next Thursday evening August 10, from 6-10 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Estate. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Northport and the Vanderbilt Museum, the 10th annual Wine In The Courtyard raises funds for worthwhile causes including The Gift of Life Program, Northport H.S. Scholarships, Food Pantry, Burn Center at Stony Brook U Med and more. $100 per person to experience: micro breweries, cigar tasting, single malt scotch and cognac, fine food, 80 vineyards and distillers, live music, entertainment and dancing, all fully tented, rain or shine and all proceeds go to charity. Info; 631-754-7774 or northportrotary.com.

BEER & WINE: The folks at favorite Manhattan cheese emporium and restaurant, Artisanal Premium Cheese on West 37th, tell us that a gastronomic revolution is quietly taking place in this country that aims to challenge wine’s supremacy as the cheese pairing of choice - Americans are turning to beer and cheese. They advise that pay attention to: Balance — try to avoid a situation where one taste overpowers the other; Texture — richer cheeses succeed when paired with more effervescent beers; Geography — matching beer with cheese produced in the same locale can yield fascinating combinations; Complements — it seems like common sense that similar-tasting foods go well together; or Contrast . . . or better yet, why not get some professional advice on beer and cheese from your favorite food emporium like Southdown Market on Wall St, Trader Joe’s in Commack or check out Artisinal online at: ArtisanalCheese.com.

Send news of the food world to Foodie@LongIslandernews.com

Main Menu