My Favorite Place -

Whether you’re traveling or simply playing tourist in your own town, it’s always fun to discover new places to eat, things to do, and experiences to take pleasure in. We caught up with top CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates ® Luxury Specialists to get their best-kept-secret spots in the towns they know and love, from the eastern tip of Long Island to the wilds of Hawaii. Because when you want to find those hidden gems that only the locals know… ask a Real Estate Agent.

PHOTO CREDIT: PAWPAW.

EXCLUSIVE PAWPAW RESTAURANT IN GREENPORT, NEW YORK - JERRY CIBULSKI

One of the most exclusive dining experiences on the North Fork of Long Island is one you might never discover on your own, because it’s hidden inside another restaurant and only serves two meals per week.

Yet PAWPAW, a pop-up restaurant in Greenport, NY, run by husband-and-wife team Taylor and Katelyn Knapp, is one of the hottest reservations in town. With just two seatings per week (both are Saturday evening suppers, served family-style), a spot at one of these meals is guaranteed to be both delicious entertainment and edible art.

Dedicated to celebrating the bounty of the North Fork while educating diners about unusual ingredients and where they come from, dinner at PAWPAW embodies the new trend known as agritainment, or the farm-to-table dining experience.

Featuring fresh, local cuisine by chef Taylor Knapp, every detail of a meal here is designed to highlight the abundance of the North Fork, from locally grown produce and fish caught that very morning to dishware and table centerpieces crafted by local artisans. Topping it all off, each dinner is accompanied by wine pairings from local wineries (the area is often referred to as the Napa of the East Coast).

Reservations are required; visit pawpawpopup.com to learn more.

FRESH FARM RAISED ESCARGOT IN NEW YORK - JERRY CIBULSKI

North Fork, Long Island chef Taylor Knapp strives to source fresh, local ingredients for his cuisine whenever possible, but there was one item he couldn’t find, no matter where he searched: fresh escargot. In fact, he discovered, fresh escargot isn’t available anywhere in the U.S.—even the finest dining establishments in the country serve escargot that has been canned or frozen.

That didn’t seem right to Knapp, so he set out to change things by starting Peconic Escargot, the first and only snail farm in the United States.

Founded just four years ago, Peconic Escargot is the only source of fresh escargot in the country, and now supplies its delicacies to fine dining restaurants as well as to home cooks via online ordering.

Raised on a diet of wild foraged greens, spent beer grain, and acorns, these snails are lovingly raised and are said to taste, well, fresh—unlike their canned counterparts. Tender, juicy and plump, with an herbaceous and nutty flavor, these delicacies are heads and tails (and shells) above the tinned varieties.

If you can’t make it to chef Knapp’s PAWPAW Restaurant, you can taste the difference for yourself by ordering fresh, raw snails at peconicescargot.com, where you’ll also find cooking tips and recipes that will highlight escargot in ways you’ve definitely never seen.

Jerry Cibulski A CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates ® Luxury Specialist based on the North Fork of Long Island, Jerry’s had a special love for the local farming, food and wine culture since his first job there working on a potato farm in 1978. geraldcibulski.c21.com

SMALL TOWN CHARM IN NORTHVILLE, MICHIGAN - SARAH AMBER FIGURSKI

For a dose of good old-fashioned small-town charm, look no further than Northville, Michigan. Situated just outside of metro Detroit, this hidden gem of a town is guaranteed to take you back in time, whether you’re in the market for a weekend getaway or possibly a new community to call home.

With a rich history that dates back to 1825, a local treasure in Northville is Mill Race Village, a living museum where the area’s history is lovingly preserved. Created in 1972 by the Northville Historical Society on land donated by the Ford Motor Company, the Village is home to charming historical buildings including a church, school, gazebo, blacksmith shop, train station and a bridge that looks over the Rouge River. A collection of Victorian homes is a feast for the eyes, and the historical church is still in use for meetings, classes and weddings.

In addition to its rich historical district, Northville is also prized for its old-school downtown, a walkable neighborhood filled with family-owned shops, independent eateries and a well-loved town square. There’s always a community event to check out, from parades and concerts to outdoor markets.

Sarah Amber Figurski A CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Luxury Specialist in Northville, MI, Sarah is a seventh-generation Northville resident. She has a passion for home renovation, including updating her own homes with her husband, and helping her clients visualize the potential in every home space.

sarahamblerfigurski.com

AN ITALIAN VILLAGE EATERY IN TEXAS

Hidden amongst a sea of barbeque joints in Colleyville, TX, is a little spot seemingly dropped into the lone star state from a village in Italy: the Loveria Caffe.

“Loveria” in Italian means an irresistible gastronomic delicacy, and that’s just what this unexpected restaurant delivers.

With the goal of replicating an authentic Italian culinary experience, a small team of Italians built this spot from the ground up, sourcing authentic Italian materials for everything from the wood planks used in constructing the dining room to the olive oil in the kitchen.

Husband-and-wife team Andrea Matteucci and Stefania Bertozzi, both career architects, worked with chef and longtime friend Michele Ragazzini to create this little gem. They envision Loveria as a doorway to Emilia-Romagna, the region of Italy considered to be the most densely packed with iconic gastronomic delights, from prosciutto di Parma to Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The star of the show at Loveria is their trademark lasagna, crafted from handmade spinach pasta and slow-cooked bolognese for a dish that’s shockingly light and nothing like the denser lasagna we’ve come to expect in the U.S. Also featured is a selection of Italian wines that are not easily found in stores.

An amazing meal isn’t all you’ll find here. The restaurant itself is a feast for the eyes: beautifully designed, with an airy, clean and modern aesthetic. After your meal, linger in the adjoining wine bar or lounge area, or visit the bookshop and market area featuring Italian food products, kitchen items and design products.

Visit loveriacaffe.com to learn more.

Roslyn Gauntt A Texas-based CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates ® Luxury Specialist, Robin is part of a four-generation family of REALTORS ® . When she’s not obsessing about all things real estate, she enjoys traveling with her husband in their RV. century21judgefite.com

CHANGING MOODS AND MODES IN CONNECTICUT - ADAM CLEMENS

Located midway between New York City and Boston, Glastonbury, CT is the biggest little town you’ve probably never heard of with its hard-tofind mix of rural charm and urban amenities.

First settled in the early 1600s, Glastonbury boasts a rich colonial history and to this day carries a large inventory of historical homes.

Today, Glastonbury offers an ideal balance of that quintessential New England feel with the services of a metro area. A charming, walkable town center features big city-style eateries, upscale shopping and chic bars, but just five minutes outside of town are luxury homes situated on generous acreage, with plenty of quiet.

Two restaurants favored by the locals include 2 Hopewell, a sophisticated bistro with a focus on ingredients sourced from local farms, and The Beam House, serving gastropub fare in an historic tannery building.

On the weekend, locals here enjoy the area’s many orchards and berry farms. Outdoor lovers can be found unwinding at Cotton Hollow Preserve and Buckingham Reservoir for hiking, swimming and more. And no outing is complete without a stop at Crystal Ridge Winery, a favorite spot for locals.

Adam Clemens A CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Luxury Specialist who lives, works and plays in Glastonbury, CT. Adam enjoys hiking with his wife and dog and savoring the local dining scene. adamclemens.c21.com

GRAB A COLD ONE: LANIKAI BREWING COMPANY - JILL WARD

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in the Kailua beach town on the island of Oahu don’t leave without stopping in for a pint at one of the locals’ favorite spots, the Lanikai Brewing Company. There, you’ll be treated to a taste of something you won’t find anywhere else: Hawaiian craft beer.

This small distillery is all about celebrating the bounties of Hawaii while also protecting its precious resources. Lanikai brews are crafted from local, rare and exotic ingredients grown by farmers in the region. Guava, pineapple, hibiscus, mango and even vanilla are just some of the flavors that make their way into these innovative beers.

The Lanikai Brewing Company doesn’t just stop at amazing Hawaiian brews; reducing their environmental impact is a top priority too. They start by helping to reduce food waste by utilizing “ugly” fruit—fruits harvested by farmers that look too ugly to sell at a market but are ideal for beer-making.

Stop by to taste Lanikai’s various brews in their newly-opened tasting room, which has quickly become a gathering place for locals. The tasting room doesn’t serve food, but they strongly encourage bringing your own and even sharing with others. If you’re lucky you might just get to sample some pu-pus (Hawaiian for appetizers) that the locals bring along.

Visit lanikaibrewing.com to learn more.

Jill Ward A CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates ® Luxury Specialist, attorney and Navy spouse, Jill lives, works and plays on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. She enjoys spending time with her two sons, beach walks and wine with friends. jillward.c21.com

A UNIQUE EPICUREAN EXPERIENCE: MESAMAR SEAFOOD TABLE IN “THE CITY BEAUTIFUL” - MELVA GARCIA

Dubbed “The City Beautiful,” Coral Gables is one of South Florida’s oldest cities. Located along the Florida coast, 15 minutes southwest of Miami, Coral Gables is pedestrian-friendly community known for its architectural beauty, shopping, historic landmarks and restaurants.

With an abundance of restaurants to choose from, MesaMar Seafood Table is a stand out. Located on Giralda Avenue, this tiny establishment offers a dining experience that truly makes your taste buds dance with excitement. The setting is intimate, the staff welcoming, and the vibe — elegant and laid-back.

Lilia "Fifi" Molina, the chef and owner, can be seen throughout the dining room making sure her staff is attentive and dinners are prepared to perfection.

From the appetizers to the mouth watering desserts, MesaMar is a place for food lovers. Begin your gastronomic journey with the delicately seasoned grilled octopus. Next experience langoustines (lobster). Once ordered, the servers promptly present the live langoustines tableside and patiently wait for your approval before preparing the meal. If lobster is not your fancy, select the half fried, half grilled, whole hogfish. It’s simply succulent. After dinner save room for the decadent desserts, they are worth every calorie. The churros with nutella and almond praline are a must!

After dinner stroll to Giralda Plaza and Miracle Mile where art installations, music and bars are plentiful.

Visit mesamar.com to learn more.

Melva Garcia is a year round Southern Florida resident and CENTURY 21 Fine Homes & Estates Luxury Specialist. She loves the outdoors and traveling on her Harley throughout the Florida Keys and into the Everglades. melvagarcia.c21.com