Can romance and paranormal activity run hand in hand? It can if you visit the Country House Restaurant in Stony Brook, New York, located on the North Shore in one of Long Island’s most elegant and historical homes. The reportedly haunted restaurant opened in 1710 and firmly landed on AOL’s City Guide list in 2007 as being the most romantic restaurant in Long Island. The enchanting establishment was once a farmhouse that has served many purposes throughout the past three centuries, eventually becoming a suitable choice for the Country House Restaurant during the 70’s. In November of 2005 present owner and life long Stony Brook resident Bob Willemstyn purchased the ghost inhabited Country House, bringing it to a whole new level with a continuous flow of new menu items and fresh seasonal and holiday decorations that gives the restaurant that uniquely charming and fanciful element that romantics naturally flourish in.
The main lobby of the Country House is breathtakingly beautiful with its main character being the highly detailed and decorated baby grand piano that is theme oriented with whatever season or holiday it happens to be at the time. The remaining details throughout the restaurant have also been carefully selected and could easily win a blue ribbon in beauty from the exquisite centerpieces and hand painted murals to the carved ornate fireplace that instantly draws you in for a closer look. The Country House is simply captivating by all respects, but even more attention grabbing is the fact that it is haunted by the strikingly beautiful Annette Williamson which most feel only adds to the charm of the fine establishment despite the fact that Annette was murdered during a bitter global war.
Unsettled territories from Massachusetts to New Jersey and Pennsylvania were not unscathed by the events that took place from 1775 to 1783, and soon Long Island, New York would fall under attack after George Washington placed roughly 20,000 soldiers in and around the city for protection during the brutal American Revolutionary War when in 1776 an angry British troop found and hung the pretty young woman after she was openly accused of being a spy. Annette’s spirit has remained at the Country House and is most often detected in the kitchen area; however her ghost has been spotted on the stairway where she has been seen and heard crying by both the staff and visitors to the restaurant. The open energy from Annette’s spirit is hard to ignore especially when she is capable of draining the light bulbs and openly does so when someone enters a room and she is demanding their attention. She never fails to get her point across by resorting to blowing out lit bulbs if she feels the need.
Haunted restaurants do not go unnoticed; in fact they tend to draw in crowds that include everyone from the curious to those more experienced with paranormal activities that wish to get serious feedback into whether ghosts do really exist, and apparently the evidence suggests that they do reside at the Country House. Joe Giaquinto, clairaudient, paranormal investigator and president of Ghost Hunters of Long Island teamed up with author, photographer and historian Kerriann Flanagan Brosky who is well trained on the subject of photographing ghosts, entities, apparitions and any other thing that cannot be explained and typically falls under the category of paranormal. The pictures that she took at the Country House were no exception to this rule as she discovered while in her darkroom reviewing the latest set of photos when she couldn’t help but notice highly visible orbs that appeared to be balls or streaks of light that showed up in shots that she took while investigating the haunted restaurant. Kerrian Flanagan Brosky is the author of Ghosts of Long Island: Stories of the Paranormal which includes the very haunted Country House. For more information go to http://www.ghostsoflongisland.com/
Candlelight is all a huge part of the romantic ambiance that surrounds the restaurants allure as is the dark shadows that can often be seen from the mirror centerpieces housing the candles. A dark figure is often spotted overhead, perhaps from the rafters where Annette’s body once hung lifeless while awaiting for the proper attendance that all human life deserves once it has passed over. A female ghost has been seen by male patrons in the bathroom as complaints of her being where she shouldn’t often come flooding in on certain nights when the moon is barely visible. It is not an abnormal occurrence to hear your name being called by unseen voices and flickering lights often set the tone for this perfectly haunted location and the diners seem to enjoy the unexpected theatrics that the ghost’s openly perform nightly free of charge.
Delicious food, elegant décor and rave reviews for service and attention to detail are something that the Country House has become known for, and the fact that it is haunted only serves to delight those who actively seek tableside entertainment to go along with their fine meal. Paranormal investigators are no stranger to the restaurant and most conclude that Annette is harmless as is the other apparitions that appear to gravitate to the historical home that serves as a first rate eating establishment. Heavy curtains hang throughout the diningroom adding to the beauty of the restaurant, but one set of drapes appear to have a mind of their own by blowing as if a breeze is wafting softly through them, yet when investigated no wind or reason for their movement can be detected.
Dining in the Hamptons has never held so much allure for those that enjoy a unique evening filled with romance, intrigue, mystery and paranormal activity. The welcoming demeanor that emanates from the staff gives guests a hint as to what they can expect while sipping from a chilled glass of their prized Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc and nibbling on Prince Edward Island mussels or the Jumbo Aloha Coconut Shrimp. Even the ghost of Annette is refreshingly romantic as her beauty cannot be denied. It is easy to see that death becomes her as you simply cannot avoid her striking blue eyes penetrating your own, begging you to look into them as you also notice her beautiful mane of blond hair flowing down her back onto her elegant white flowing gown that can be heard wisping through the air as she slowly walks by your table. Those that are highly sensitive to the other side have witnessed Annette’s ghost leaving a stream of light when she waltzes through the dining area, and the staff along with many dinner guests have heard her running around upstairs at all hours of the day and night.
Many of the locals have speculated that the ghost of Annette does not live alone in the restaurant mainly due to the fact that before it was a dining establishment it was the home of the English actor Thomas Hadaway who owned the large abode during the 1800’s. Thomas was known to hold séances in the old farmhouse, possibly drawing in dark sprits and unknown entities. Many of the séances were conducted by Hadaway himself, and he never failed to have a colorful cast of characters in attendance at these highly charged events. This was a period when spiritualism was based on the idea that spirits who have passed on can openly communicate with the living through medium ship, thus proving that life does continue on even after death, whatever that may entail. The Long Island artist William Sidney Mount, friend to Hadaway was extremely intrigued by the paranormal, ghosts and the supernatural and was often a participant at Hadaway’s séances. During many of the séances William truly believed that he was communicating with Rembrandt even though those in attendance felt that he was being visited by a host of other ghosts from decades and even centuries before. The Fox sisters, known for their abilities to communicate with ghosts, including the spirit of Benjamin Franklin often frequented these séances and added to the elevated circumstances by showing off their skills by levitating the table and moving objects around the room. It is believed that that ghosts that came through during these dark séances may still be residing at the restaurant today. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_sisters
Weddings & Bridal Showers: Making your wedding dream a reality is at the top of the list for owner Robert Willemstym as he guides you through every aspect of your special day. No detail is overlooked and the bride along with her guests is presented with a crisp champagne cocktail along with a variety of non-stop hors d’oeuvres. The Country House has become a popular destination to exchange vows in the outdoor Enchanted Grove or in front of the exquisite historical fireplace for winter weddings. The stylish boutique weddings are reminiscent of walking straight into a fairytale filled with romance complete with the adorned setting with a custom detailed wedding cake and all of the beautiful embellishments that are fit for a prince and princess.
Psychic Wine Dinners: The month of October brings Palm & Tarot card Readings to the Country House Restaurant, complete with a Four Course Dinner and wine pairings. Cost: $99.00. Reservations: 631-751-3332.
Brunch/Lunch: Served daily 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Dinner: Served from 4:00 p.m.
Chefs Tasting Menu: Friday’s only starting at 4:00 p.m. Cost: $45.00 Includes an appetizer, soup or salad, one entrée, desert and tea or coffee.
Location: Route 25a, Stony Brook, New York, 11790 Call: 631-751-3332
