Dining on the North Fork of Long Island is a culinary delight, especially during the holidays. With the abundance of local ingredients from the surrounding farms, fresh local seafood, and fine local wines and cheeses, enjoy a sampling of some of the best restaurants open year-round on the North Fork.
Specializing in seafood, noah’s is located at 136 Front Street in Greenport. Co-owned by chef Noah Schwartz and his wife Sunita, it opened in 2010. They feature small plates, signature entrées and a raw bar with local oysters, Peconic Bay scallops and clams. Using ingredients from local farms, fresh fish, and local wines, they serve new American contemporary cuisine in a modern ambiance. For New Year’s Eve, they will present their New Year’s Eve Chef’s Tasting Menu paired with local sparkling wines. Also enjoy noah’s Holiday Spritz, a sparkling wine and pomegranate cocktail served through the New Year. Voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” in five categories, including “Best Seafood Restaurant,” it was also rated one of the 10 Best Restaurants in the Hamptons by Zagat in 2013. www.chefnoahschwartz.com
The North Fork Table & Inn is located at 57225 Main Road in Southold in a refurbished inn built in 1840. Opened in 2006, it is owned by Mike Mraz and his wife Mary along with chef Gerry Hayden and his wife, pastry chef Claudia Fleming-Hayden. It features new American cuisine served in three sleek dining rooms, offering local produce, game meats, local duck, fresh seafood, Catapano goatmilk cheese, homemade pastas, and local and imported wines. Try their delicious Ricotta Cavatelli, a spicy lamb ragù pasta. During the holidays, enjoy their fresh White Truffle Risotto made with white truffles from Italy. Voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” in seven categories, including “Best Chef, Gerry Hayden.” Also rated No. 1 for Food and Service on Long Island by Zagat in 2013. www.nofoti.com
By the water, Legends at 835 First Street in New Suffolk, is owned by Diane and Dennis Harkoff. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, they will have festivities throughout the holidays while offering a selection of special aged wines from California and France! Chef Ralph Foulkes uses locally sourced ingredients including local fish, local wines, and produce in season. With both a sophisticated dining room and a casual bar area, it features new American cuisine. Popular appetizers are Raw Tuna Napoleon, Sesame Crested Tuna Sashimi, and Filet Mignon Martini. For entrées, try their superb Chilean Sea Bass with Lobster or their Filet Mignon with Steak Diane Sauce. www.legends-restaurant.com
aMano Osteria & Wine Bar is located at 13550 Main Road in Mattituck. Co-owned by Adam Lovett and chef Tom Schaudel, it opened in 2008. Highlighting Italian cuisine in a cozy atmosphere, their specialties include wood oven fired pizza, slow simmered meatballs, and pasta dishes, using mostly locally sourced farm produce. Their house specialty, Tom’s Carbonara is very popular. They carry Long Island and Italian wines exclusively, offering half-off wines on “Wine Down Wednesday.” For Christmas Eve, they will feature their “Feast of Seven Fishes.” For New Year’s Eve, two prix fixe menus are offered; the later includes a champagne toast. Voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” in two categories, including “Best Italian Cuisine.” www.amanorestaurant.com
Quaint Jamesport Country Kitchen is located at 1601 Main Road in Jamesport in an historic building circa 1850. Owned by chef Matthew Kar, it is celebrating its 25th season. Creating a “made from scratch menu” using local ingredients, they are the second restaurant to introduce “Farm to Table” on the North Fork. Offering Long Island wines exclusively, they have the largest selection (180) on the East End. Their modern American cuisine menu changes bi-weekly and includes a fresh pasta special, fresh fish, and a shrimp and filet mignon brochette. Their New Year’s Eve menu will present fresh Long Island duck from Crescent Duck Farm. Rated one of the Best on Long Island by Zagat’s 2006 Restaurant Survey, they received the “Award of Distinction.” www.northfork.com/catering
Jedediah Hawkins Inn located at 400 South Jamesport Avenue in Jamesport features fine American cuisine using locally sourced ingredients with fresh seafood, local produce, and local wines. During the holidays, the landmark Victorian mansion will be celebrating its 150th anniversary since Captain Jedediah Hawkins first built his Italianate-style home, with 1863 prices on select appetizers and desserts. The prices have been set in consultation with the Culinary Historians of New York, and range between 5 and 16 cents! Plates feature local ingredients popular at the time, such as squash, pumpkins, and apples. Diners can enjoy 1863 prices on weekday evenings with the purchase of an entrée and beverage in the Speakeasy. www.jedediahhawkinsinn.com
Dining on the North Fork of Long Island is an epicurean experience, especially during the holidays. Enjoy the gourmet cuisine at the many fine restaurants all along the North Fork.
Ruth Thomas, a freelance writer on the East End enjoys history, music, literature, art, nature, the beach, and her cute dachshund, Clancy. She can be contacted at [email protected]
