Restaurants offer dinner and a psychic reading
"Mystic Louis" is a Bronx-based medium who hosts Cafe Mojo's weekly psychic night in West Islip. Louis typically does 6 to 12 readings at the coffeehouse/cafe each week. He uses tarot cards, handwriting analysis, flower and tea leaf. (Dec. 15, 2010) Credit: Photo by Bruce Gilbert
You don't have to be psychic to know that 2011 is just days away. And once the champagne corks have stopped popping, questions about what the new year has in store for you are sure to pop up.
Our prediction: If you want some answers, make a reservation at any of these local restaurants where the word "medium" on the menu isn't just about how you'd like your steak prepared.
Cafe Mojo
WHEN | WHERE: 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 191 Higbie Lane, West Islip, 631-661-2233, cafemojowi.com
HOW MUCH: $25 private reading with Mystic Louis
Have a burger, wrap, panino or salad, then get a tarot card reading from Mystic Louis, who's been a fixture at the cafe since it opened seven years ago. If tarot isn't your cup of tea, Louis will get his own cup and read tea leaves. And he an- alyzes handwriting, in the privacy of a quiet table at Cafe Mojo.
"A lot of people who come are regulars for him once or twice a month," says Mark Hartman, who owns Cafe Mojo with his wife, Jacqueline.
One person, though, who's not a regular at the psychic table is Hartman. "I have enough of a time getting through the day. I don't need any extra help," he says. "But if going to a psychic works for you, run with it."
Spoon Coffee House
WHEN | WHERE: 7 p.m. Thursdays, 125A Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst, 631-957-7666, myspace.com/spooncoffeehouse
HOW MUCH: $25 private reading
The Rev. Neil MacPherson is the clairvoyant-in-residence at Spoon, where he dims the lights and has private sessions with up to eight people on Thursdays.
"We've had people who have screamed and yelled in the middle of their readings, amazed at how he's touched on something," says co-owner Joe Speranza. "Then, there are a few people who say, 'That was interesting,' and then a few who are like, 'I didn't really get anything from him.' "
RS Jones
WHERE: 153 Merrick Ave., Merrick, 516-623-5060, rsjones.com
HOW MUCH $65 buffet dinner, group reading with psychic Jeffrey Wands (Jan. 10); Psychic Medium Richard (Jan. 31)
Owner Margaret Mueller saw psychic nights in RS Jones' future after attending a psychic dinner at another restaurant a few years ago. "I was a skeptic walking in, but I found it very healing," she says. "When we left, I said I want to come back."
For the initial psychic night at RS Jones, which specializes in Southwestern cuisine and barbecue, the audience was made up primarily of family and friends, and it was a hit. "So then we decided to open it up to the public, and it's been selling out ever since," she says. "The mediums usually read for at least two hours."
Borrelli's
WHEN | WHERE: 6 p.m. Jan. 18, 1580 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow, 516-794-0190, borrellisrestaurant.com
HOW MUCH: $59 dinner, reading
"We've never done this before, so we'll see how it works out," manager Angela Borrelli says about the restaurant's first foray into psychic nights, which will feature a buffet followed by a group reading. "We thought this might be a nice holiday gift."
Hoping to make that present extra special will be Merrick-based medium Robert E. Hansen, who specializes in communicating with the dead. Though Hansen has seen his share of skeptics, they turn into believers after he offers validation about the person he's trying to contact. "It's where the person realizes I'm sharing certain events only known by their family. There's no way an outsider could know that," he says. "That gets the guest to say, 'My God, something is really happening.' "
ALSO TRY: Hansen will also be at Viva Loco, 2381 Merrick Rd., Bellmore, 516-679-5900, 6 p.m. Jan. 10 and Lola's Kitchen and Wine Bar, 180 W. Park Ave., Long Beach, 516-442-1090, 6 p.m. Jan. 31. Both are $59 and include hot buffet and reading.
Ruvo
WHEN | WHERE: 6 p.m. Jan. 25, 105 Wynn Lane, Port Jefferson, 631-476-3800, ruvorestaurant.com
HOW MUCH: $58 dinner and group reading
Following an Italian buffet, psychic Josephine Ghiringhelli will work the room and, depending on whose vibrations she senses, will do readings for about five people.
"There's never a guarantee that you're going to be singled out," says assistant manager Rob Servola, "but I think part of the experience is to watch her sense and hit things right on the head."
