"Cooking is a form of art,the café allows me to combine my passions… Cooking, Music &Art!"
Early in her career while apprenticing with local chefs, Lisa Cucinello dreamt of owning her own eatery blending creative vegetarian and non-vegetarian cooking with an exciting cross-weave of music, art and cultural influence. In 1998 that dream became a reality when she teamed up with her mother, Joanne Cucinello, who had years of experience in catering and professional baking, and together they launched Tiger Lily Café located on East Main Street in the historic seaside Village of Port Jefferson, New York.
With the help of her close-knit family and hard working staff, Tiger Lily’s became an instant hit, attracting patrons from all over Long Island within all age groups, and received favorable mentions in; Newsday, LI Voice, News 12, Energy Times, AOL CityGuide, and The New York Times. Lisa’s dad would come in every morning to help with set-up and breakfast, while Lisa’s sister, Christine, made sushi and other creative ethnic dishes. Even her cousin Patty, designed the distinctive logo, which adorns the outside of the café.
As for the inside of the café, Lisa’s passions for food, music, and art, are infused throughout Tiger Lily’s décor, creating a space unlike anywhere else on Long Island. Piece by piece, carefully chosen artwork from local artists and antiques create an atmosphere that is uniquely Tiger Lily’s – a combination of Greenwich Village with Sausalito spirit – artsy and soulful. The comfy sofa and chairs, subdued lighting and rough-hewn planked floors add warmth to the surroundings allowing patrons to feel welcomed and relaxed, free to linger over a cup of espresso or a healthy lunch.
Our foods are fresh, delicious, and innovative, with an ever changing variety of healthy multi-ethnic entries, salads & salads.
Specializing in vegetarian food – not the bland vegetarian fare of the ‘70s – Tiger Lily’s cuisine is an alternative to high fat, high cholesterol, low fiber diets, and consists of a creative mix of nutritious soy, tempeh, tofu, whole grains and fresh vegetables resulting in a variety of gourmet dishes. Even for non-vegetarians, menu choices include entrée’s using only lean meats and poultry. From a variety of wraps made with organic mesclun greens to homemade soups prepared daily, Tiger Lily’s offers a lively assortment of foods that are not only healthy, delicious and nutritious, but also appealing to the eye as well as the palate, with new additions added daily.
Tiger Lily keeps evolving. Lisa now works side by side with her partner Kelly, and together they have created Medusa's Lounge and are booking exclusive private parties & events. Together they are determined to take Tiger Lily to the next level. Come experience Tiger Lily Café!