Raise Your Glass for Patriot's Day!

Did you know that April 16th was Patriot's Day?  Outside of New England, most people do not. But in New England it is a huge holiday.

Patriot's Day falls on the third Monday in April and commemorates the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. This is the battle that began the American Revolutionary War.  Patriot's Day also honors the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, the evening he rode through town warning the colonists that "The Red Coats are coming!"

Although April 16th has passed, Cafe Mojo invites you to come in and toast the brave soldiers of the Revolutionary War and offer your thanks for the Independence of America!

Delectable Drink Recipes for the Spring!

It's official!  Spring has sprung and the weather has been absolutely beautiful! The sun is shining and the temperature has been hovering around 70 degrees.  Not what you would expect for the middle of March in NY, but we've been loving it.  Spring fever has sprung early and Cafe Mojo is ready!

The long wait for warm weather is over and people have been making the most of it. The window of our restaurant looks out on Main St. in West Islip and we have been watching as the number of people out walking or bike riding has grown.  Of course, we welcome them into Cafe Mojo for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink and that inspired us to share some Springtime Drink recipes with you!

Nothing says warm weather on Long Island better than a perfect Long Island Iced Tea! 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz gin
• 1/2 oz light rum
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1/2 oz tequila
• 1 oz sour mix
• cola
• lemon wedge for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the spirits and sour mix into a collins glass with ice.
2. Stir well or shake.
3. Top the glass off with cola.
4. Garnish with the lemon wedge.

 Tax time = stress time for most people.  Take the edge off with an Income Tax Cocktail!

• 2 oz gin
• 1/4 oz sweet vermouth
• 1/4 oz dry vermouth
• 1 oz orange juice
• Angostura Bitters to taste
• orange twist for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with the orange twist.

While the children enjoy their Easter baskets, the adults can enjoy this Easter Egg!

Ingredients:

• 1 oz blue curaçao
• 1 oz white crème de cacao
• half-and-half

Preparation:

1. Pour the blue curaçao and crème de cacao over ice cubes in an old fashioned glass.
2. Float the half-and-half on top to taste.

Everybody needs some chocolate on Easter! Satisfy your sweet tooth with this Easter Bunny! 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz dark crème de cacao
• 1/2 oz vodka
• 1 tsp chocolate syrup
• 1 tsp cherry brandy

Preparation:

1. Pour the creme de cacao and vodka into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into an old fashioned glass with ice cubes.
4. Float chocolate syrup and cherry brandy on top.

Warm weather has us craving fresh fruit and tropical flavors which you will find in this Rabbit Punch! 

• 1 whole orange, plus 1 orange cut into thin slices for garnish
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup pineapple juice
• 1 (750 milliliter) bottle bourbon, at least 100 proof
• 1 cup Champagne or sparkling wine
• 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from 1 orange and the lemon. Transfer to a large punch bowl and add the sugar. Muddle to release the citrus oils, then let stand 1 to 2 hours. Add the lemon and pineapple juices and the bourbon, and stir to combine. Just before serving, stir in 3 to 4 cups of ice, then top with Champagne or sparkling wine and garnish with the orange slices and pineapple chunks.

Cheers!  Enjoy the warm weather!

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

Get ready!  St. Patrick's Day celebrating is coming soon!  Saturday March 17th, 2012 will be a day of shamrocks, corned beef and cabbage, and our favorite ..... green beer!  Are you ready for some St. Patrick's Day fun?  Let Cafe Mojo get you started!

Green beer?  Where did that come from? It's not necessarily known who first came up with green beer, but some say it was a Dr. Curtin at a social club in NY back in 1914.  We found a story which explains that Dr. Curtain put "wash blue" dye into the beer, but no mention of why he did it or if there was even any connection to Ireland or St. Patrick's Day at all.

By the 1950's, green beer really caught on.  In fact, in 1952, Miami University (in Ohio) began a tradition called "Green Beer Day."  Held every year on the Thursday before their spring break, Green Beer Day was the school's alternative to St. Patrick's Day since the holiday fell during their vacation.

So green beer is not that unusual on St. Patrick's Day.  What about a green river?  That's right!  In 1962 city workers poured green dye into the river which kept it green for a week!  Today, less dye is used and the river stays green for just a few hours.

Cafe Mojo proudly offers Beers from Around the World and will have plenty of the ever popular Guiness on hand for your celebration.  Here are some Irish toasts for you to share:

"My friends are the best friends

Loyal, willing, and able.

Now let's get to drinking!

All glasses off the table!" 

"Here's to a long life and a merry one.

A quick death and a easy one.

A pretty girl and an honest one.

A cold beer - and another one!

Here's to being single...

Drinking doubles....

And seeing triple!

Have fun and be safe!

And the Winner is .......

The 84th Academy Awards take place this Sunday, February 26th, so we here at Cafe Mojo thought we would have fun and share some of the highlights to come.

Billy Crystal is back to host the show for the ninth time!  Now it's true that many younger viewers may not be familiar with Crystal, but his past performances have been some of the best the show has produced.  The buzz is that Crystal is a great choice to reinvigorate the show.

And the nominees are .....

• Best Picture: The Artist, The Descendants, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Help, Hugo, Midnight in Paris, Moneyball, The Tree of Life, and War Horse

• Actor In a Leading Role: Demian Bichir (A Better Life), George Clooney (The Descendants), Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) Brad Pitt (Moneyball)

• Actress In a Leading Role: Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Merl Streep (The Iron Lady), Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn)

• Actor In a Supporting Role: Kenneth Branagh (My Week With Marilyn), Jonah Hill (Moneyball), Nick Nolte (Warrior), Christopher Plummer (Beginners), Max von Sydrow (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)

• Actress In a Supporting Role:  Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Jessica Chastain (The Help), Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs), Octavia Spencer (The Help)

Will you be watching the big show?  Stop by Cafe Mojo for dinner and drinks then head home to watch the stars arrive on the red carpet!

A Bit of Valentine Fun

Here at Cafe Mojo we are all about having a good time. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and it doesn't necessarily mean a good time for all.  Hopefully, you are looking forward to spending a happy February 14th, but in case you need some assistance or just enjoy a chuckle, here are a few funny Valentine's Day poems. Enjoy!

"I thought that I could love no other
Until, that is, I met your brother."

"I love your smile, your face, and your eyes
Damn, I'm good at telling lies! "

"Since my Valentine got a computer 

My love life has taken a hit. 

Nothing I say is important 

Unless it’s a byte or a bit.

Before she got her new laptop, 

Everything was just fine; 

Now she says we can’t talk 

Unless we both go online.

"But honey," I said, "I’m attached to you; 

Love is what I feel." 

"That keyword isn’t relevant," 

She said, with eyes of steel. "

Not feeling the funny yet? Check out these oddball Valentine's Day apps .....

Facebook and Walgreens want you to "Play Cupid." This app allows you to pair up two friends that you feel should be a couple.  Choose a virtual picture frame printed with phrases such as "Why Aren't You Dating Yet?" or "Caution! Hot Couple!"  Sharpen your arrow and take aim!

Meeting people with like-minded interests is a great way to find love.  Crowded Room helps you find these people as you move throughout your day.  Sign into this smartphone app through facebook and check in places throughout the day or say where you will be heading later on.  The app will suggest people you for you to meet at these places based upon your interests and theirs.

You have probably taken plenty of exit surveys before.  The restaurant you dined at would like to know what you thought of the food, server, etc. The retail store wants to know how you felt about the displays, sales associates, prices, etc.  Results from these surveys are used to tweak performance so consumers find them more favorable.  Now there is an app which will allow an "ex" to complete an exit survey on your relationship.  Wot Went Wrong will send a virtual comment card to your ex and ask "Wot" what wrong. The idea is for   each party to use the comment card to provide positive and negative feedback.  So go ahead and tell your ex that you loved spending time together, but you just couldn't get past the poor fashion sense.

Here's hoping you enjoy your Valentine's Day, whether romancing the one you love or finding the humor in love! 

Cafe Mojo Beats the January Blues!

The hectic weeks of the holidays are over.  The chaos in your home is finally cleaned up.  A new year has begun and you're ready to take on all your resolutions and make this the best year ever!  This sounds great, but many people get hit with the January Blues.

What are the January Blues?  It's a feeling of sadness that some people will feel after the new year.  It may be that the holidays did not live up to the person's high expectations.  Maybe the weeks of feeling cold and being indoors is starting to get overbearing.  Perhaps it is guilt and disappointment over the extra pounds put on during the holidays.  Whatever the reason, many people are just plain "down" during the month of January.

Doctors have offered suggestions on how to combat this feeling.  Yes, of course there are medications or light therapy, but most doctors see the value in just changing your mind set and putting yourself in happy environments. Fortunately for you, Cafe Mojo happens to offer a number of the top activities suggested by doctors!

Socialize more!  Hang out with friends or chat with new ones.  Cafe Mojo offers ample opportunities for this!  Come in to enjoy a meal or chat at the bar anytime or join us Tuesday - Saturday for our weekly events!  Trivia, bingo, karaoke and more will help stomp out the sadness and bring on the smiles!

Listen to invigorating music is another suggestion.  Well, Cafe Mojo is always rockin' a beat!  Also on Friday nights we have either karaoke or a live band.  Get up and sing a song and feel the blues melt away!

Add Omega 3's to your diet.  Enjoy one of our delicious chicken dishes, salads, or how about our fish taco?

If you're feeling a little down there is no better place to be than Cafe Mojo's!  If you're already feeling great, come down and spread your cheer!  We look forward to helping you make January a fabulous month!

Thanksgiving Beers

Thanksgiving preparations are in full swing.  You've planned the appetizers, main course, and desserts.  You have the decorations and the table is set.  What's left?  Drinks!  What drinks will go with your meal?

Whatever meal you have planned, Cafe Mojo can help you pair a fantastic drink. The Pilgrims most likely enjoyed ale with their meal, so here is a guide to choose your brew:

• Traditional Turkey - Amber ale or lager like Oktoberfest, brown ale, or a strong golden ale like triple
• Smoked Turkey- a hoppy brown ale, Scotch ale, or porter
• Ham- Weizen, weizenbock, dubbel or dark lager
• Pumpkin Pie- Spiced ale, winter warmer or old ale

If you're planning on serving a turkey, you can go one step further and use your choice of ale to baste the turkey while it cooks.

• melt one stick of butter
• mix 12 ounces of ale with the butter
• pour over the turkey
• baste with the beer butter approximately every 20 minutes
• about halfway through the cooking time, pour another 12 ounces of ale over the turkey
• continue to baste approximately every 20 minutes

We hope these suggestions add to your delicious holiday meal!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Cafe Mojo family to yours!

Cafe Mojo's November Happenings!

We here at Cafe Mojo would like to thank everyone who came down and celebrated with us in the month of October.  We had so much fun!  Ready for more?  Couldn't make it down and now feel bummed that you missed out?  Well, here is our FUN lineup for November!


Veterans Week  7th-13th  
Buy 3 Get 1 FREE
All Vets eat FREE with a purchase of 3 Meals (Family Deal)
Valid During Vets Week Only

Night Before ThanksGiving 23rd 9pm
DJ, Dancing and Drinks, FUN-FUN-FUN
"Theres nothing like a Turkey Day Hangover" Quote by our very own Jacky!

Black Friday -----REFUEL WITH US!
Door Buster DEALS - served All Day
1 FREE appetizer for the Table  (with Entree Purchase)
1 FREE Beer with Any Philly or Burger Purchase.


Cafe Mojo keeps the fun going all month long!  Let's face it, November can be stressful.  Come join us and let us chase your stress away!

Unusual Halloween Movies

Who's ready for some frightfully good fun?  Here at Cafe Mojo we are! We'd like to share some unusual horror movies for you to enjoy.  Grab a blanket, light a fire, maybe even some Cafe Mojo take out and enjoy!

Trick r' Treat veers off of the standard madman terrorizes teens plot and follows a more Tales From The Crypt format. Starring Anna Paquin, this movie sucks you in right from the beginning.  Here is an excerpt from the official website:

Interested?  Check out the trailer here.

The Last Exorcism is a documentary style film.  Here is a summary written by Jason Buchanan for Rotten Tomatoes:

Disillusioned charlatan Reverend Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) comes face to face with pure evil after recruiting a documentary film crew to capture the final exorcism of his career. For years, Reverend Marcus has taken advantage of the faithful and desperate. Now it's time for him to finally come clean. Just as Reverend Marcus prepares to shoot the film that will set the record straight, he receives an urgent letter from a desperate farmer. The devil has taken possession of his beloved daughter Nell (Ashley Bell), and Reverend Marcus is their last hope for salvation. Up to this point it's been all fun and games; now things are about to get serious.

Enjoy the trailer! 




Let Me In was written and directed by Matt Reeves  who directed Cloverfield and stars Chloe Grace Moretz who played Hit Girl in Kick Ass.  Here is an excerpt from the official website:

    And here is the trailer!   

Watch, enjoy, and let us know what you think on Cafe Mojo's Facebook wall!          

                                                                                                                                                   

Cafe Mojo Celebrates Our 8th Anniversary!

Cafe Mojo is proud and excited to announce our 8th anniversary serving up fun and great food in West Islip!  We have worked hard to create a fun and welcoming environment and would like to thank our loyal customers for coming along on this journey with us!

Cafe Mojo brings a taste of Manhattan to West Islip.  We offer entertainment, games, and a lively atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy.  Change is a part of life here at Cafe Mojo so it never gets dull!  New specials, new drinks, new entertainment ..... are added frequently.

Our most recent additions include the Beers from Around the World Club and Saturday night Drag Bingo.  Looking ahead, we have tons of fun planned for October/Halloween!  Stay tuned for details!

Thank you to everybody who came down Friday night, September 23rd, to celebrate our anniversary with us!  Thank you also to our fabulous staff who work so hard to help make Cafe Mojo the friendly, fun place that it is!  We look forward to spending the next year with you all!

Talent Discovered at Cafe Mojo Karaoke!

Friday night was ROCKIN' at Cafe Mojo located in West Islip! Cafe Mojo is a friendly neighborhood bar/restaurant that caters to fun.  The food is delicious, the drinks are delectable, the service friendly and engaging. But that is just the beginning. Cafe Mojo celebrates different events most nights of the week. 

Owners Marc and Jacqueline Hartman have brought a touch of NYC to LI.  Enter Cafe Mojo and you will be greeted with the warmth expected of the local corner bar, an eclectic clientele, and over 110 beers from around the world.  The nightly events provide the finishing touches to make this a fantastic night out.

This past Friday night, Cafe Mojo welcomed a new Karaoke leader, Bob Delpriore, who kept the night moving briskly with humor.  Customers chose from a tremendous library of songs and delighted the crowd with a mix of country, rock, pop, and oldies.  Many songs were delivered beautifully, while others had a touch more fun mixed in.  The crowd enjoyed them all the same, sang along, and cheered loudly.

Come down to Cafe Mojo to enjoy Karaoke every other Friday night.  You can also enjoy Mystic Louis for a Psychic Tuesday evening as well as Rainbow night, Pubstumpers Trivia on Wednesday nights, "Almost the Weekend Night" hosted by Robyn and Jacky on Thursdays, and Drag Bingo hosted by comedian Kenny Dash on Saturday nights.

Question Answered, What Makes Our Restaurant A Great Place

A question was asked of us the other day which we thought would be interesting to share.  We were asked, "what makes your restaurant a great place to go to"?  So we thought we would answer the question right here in our blog.

First things first.  Our kitchen is clean, our dining area and bar are clean, and our staff are clean.  The food is safely prepared.  Ok, now let's move on. 

Cafe Mojo can be a great place for many different types of patrons.  Our decor is fun and whimsical, yet also gives a homey feeling.  Our staff makes everyone feel welcomed and a friend of the restaurant. Our menu is eclectic so everyone can find a favorite. TV's are on and music is playing, although neither one is loud enough to interfere with conversations.  Families with young children can relax in our dining area and our kids menu offers food choices the kids are sure to enjoy.  Young couples or groups of friends can enjoy our casual atmosphere while enjoying our "beers from around the world".  Other patrons might enjoy our coffees and desserts.

One of the best things about Cafe Mojo is that everyone can find a favorite time to come in.  If you like to enjoy some entertainment along with a crowd of people, try our one of our nightly events.  Maybe you would prefer a more intimate experience.  You could come for lunch or dinner.  What types of activities do you like?  Would it be our Friday night karaoke?  Maybe Wednesday night trivia?  How about Thursday's Almost The Weekend sangria and drink specials?  Want a psychic reading or enjoy a rainbow atmosphere, then join us on Tuesday nights.  Like bingo?  Well, you haven't tried it like this!  Comedian Kenny Dash hosts Drag Bingo on Saturday nights!

Here at Cafe Mojo, we like to engage our customers and make them feel right at home.  We have created a fun, family environment where you can enjoy a quiet drink and meal or you can enjoy activities with friends old and new.  This is what makes Cafe Mojo a great restaurant to spend time in.  So if this is what you are looking for, come on down and join us!