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!

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! 

Super Bowl Commercials: A Look Back & A Look Ahead

Woo Hoo!  Our NY Giants are going to the Super Bowl!  Here at Cafe Mojo we love watching the weekly football games, but we are so psyched for the BIG game! As much as we love the game, like everyone else we also love the commercials.


Cafe Mojo customers have already been talking about the upcoming ads so we thought we would compile a short list of previews for you to enjoy!  Here they are!

Remember Volkswagon's little Darth Vader from last year? Well, Volkswagon will be back with another Star Wars themed commercial:


Go Daddy is known for it's sexy, teasing style of ad and they are sticking with the formula once more:




Chevrolet has jumped the gun and already started airing one of it's ads.  This ad won a Chevrolet contest:


Doritos will be introducing a new slogan "Smarter. Bolder. Faster" will feature Donald Trump, Deion Sanders, and Apolo Ohno.

Other brands we are looking forward to seeing here at Cafe Mojo are ones that left us laughing in the past.  Pepsi.  Bud/Bud Light. Coca-Cola. E-Trade.  Let's take a look at some blasts from the past:

Thank you Budweiser for the endless stream of Bud. Weis. Er. we all were subjected to after this one:


This one takes us way back to 1979 and never fails to bring a smile:

Careful!  You never know who's watching! 


We hope you enjoyed this look back and preview of what's to come.  Come in to Cafe Mojo and tell us what you thought!

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!

Drink Recipes For Happy Holidays

There are so many things to think about and to plan for the holidays.  Your friends at Cafe Mojo want to help make things a bit easier for you.  Here are some delicious drink recipes.

It's the time of year for egg nog.  The following are a just a few of the many recipes out there.  Have a look and choose your favorite one, or tow, or three!

Delicious Egg Nog

Ingredients:

• 6 Egg yolk
• 1/2 cup white, granulated Sugar
• 2 cups Milk
• 2 cups Light rum
• 2 cups Whipping cream
• Nutmeg

Mixing instructions:

Beat yolks until light. Add sugar and mix well. Add milk and rum. Mix well, then chill for at least 3 hours. One hour before serving, whip cream and stir into chilled mixture. Return to refrigerator for an hour. Serve in punch cups and dust with nutmeg. Serves 20.

Whiskey Egg Nog

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Blended whiskey
• 1 tsp Powdered sugar
• 1 whole Egg
• 5 oz Milk
• Nutmeg

Mixing instructions:

Shake all ingredients (except nutmeg) with ice and strain into a collins glass. Sprinke nutmeg on top and serve.

Healthy Egg Nog

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Egg substitute
• 3 tblsp Sugar
• 13 oz skimmed Condensed milk
• 3/4 cup skimmed Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 tsp Rum flavoring (or 3 oz rum)
• Nutmeg

Mixing instructions:

Whip egg substitute and sugar together, combine with the two kinds of milk, vanilla, and rum. Mix well. Chill over night. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 6 servings.

The holidays are not just for Egg Nog!  Here are some more favorites!

Hot Mulled Cider

Ingredients:

• Apple cider
• 1-2 Orange, washed
• whole Cloves
• Cinnamon sticks
• Nutmeg

Mixing instructions:

Dump cider, cinnamon sticks and a couple of teaspoons of nutmeg into a pot over very low heat. Slice oranges (after washing them well!!), and stick whole cloves into the rind, then float in cider as it warms. That's it. Drink when it gets warm. You can dump more cider into it up to a point when the spices get old - then just start again with a new set of spices, and a new orange.

Irish Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
• 1 tsp Brown sugar (Demerara)
• 6 oz hot Coffee
• Heavy cream

Mixing instructions:

Combine whiskey, sugar and coffee in mug and stir to dissolve. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix.

Shocking Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Cinnamon schnapps (Aftershock)
• 1 cup Hot chocolate

Mixing instructions:

Heat the hot chocolate and add the cinnamon schnapps

We hope you you enjoy!  We know we will!

December Special Mojo Events!

Welcome to December!  This is such a busy month so we invite you to take some time to relax and have fun at Cafe Mojo!  In addition to all of our regularly scheduled events, we have a few special ones added for some extra special enjoyment!
 
Monday Dec 5th 
WALT DISNEYS BIRTHDAY  (All Day)
Wear Anything Disney to Mojo get a free Dessert with Candle & Coffee.

Tuesday Dec 13th
NATIONAL COCOA DAY
Get a warm hug from Mojo!We will be giving out Free Hot Chocolate All Day

New Years Eve BINGO PARTY 8pm Start
FREE to PLAY
DRESS TO IMPRESS
FREE Champagne Toast at Midnight
Free Hors d'oeuvre after 10:00 PM

Check out our regular events and come join the fun! 

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!

October Fun at Cafe Mojo!

There's some spooky mojo brewing down at Cafe Mojo during the month of October.  You know we like to have fun, party, and serve great food and Halloween gives us more reasons to do so!

Friday night Karaoke has been such a hit that we will have it every Friday night in October, November, and December!  No charge to sing!  Come early and get 1 free drink per entree!

Mojo's 8th Annual Halloween Bash takes place on Friday October 28th beginning at 9 pm.  Come on down and wear your costume!  Free Spooky Jello Shots, $5 Bloody Margaritas, & $5 Spiked Cauldron Juice!

Costume Bingo! Saturday,  October 29th beginning at 8 pm, Kenny Dash (comedian/female impersonator)  will host costume bingo.  Come in Fancy Dress and get a free small Nachos  for the table!

Come join us at Cafe Mojo for some spooktacular fun!

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.

Summer Drink Recipes

Here we go!  As promised, Cafe Mojo has started a blog and with an official heat wave upon us we thought sharing some of our most popular summer drink recipes was the perfect way to start! Feel free to mix them up and enjoy poolside or grab some friends and let us mix them and serve them in the chill of our restaurant.

These recipes are simple and delicious.  Have questions?  Give a call or, better yet, stop on by and ask for Jacky or Marc.  We'll be glad to help you! Cafe Mojo website

Cheers!

Cherry Lemonade


Black Cherry Vodka, Southern Comfort, pineapple, splash of grenadine

Creamsicle


Vanilla Vodka, milk, splash of Triple Sec

Peach Sunset


Vanilla Vodka
HPNOTIQ, peach white cranberry juice
SHAKE then add grenadine

Caribbean Martini


Coconut rum, lime juice, grenadine

Caribbean Cosmo


Mango rum, light rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, splash of lime