Pop-up bars, shops and more to explore on the North Fork this summer
While the Hamptons is once again up and running, the other side of the East End—the North Fork—is also bustling with classic spots and new opportunities to dine and unwind this summer.
LOW TIDE BEACH BAR
Open to the general public and set up in the sand along the Long Island Sound shore and behind the Sound View Greenport, this spot is vying for the coolest hang of the summer. Beach chairs are arranged in small, socially distanced groups—and guests can grab drinks via the Death & Co. (deathandcompany.com) cocktail bar brand’s summer residency. Bartenders serve craft mixes 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. Reservations required.
INFO 58775 CR-48, Greenport; 631-477-0666, soundviewgreenport.com.
NORTHFORK COOKS TRUCK @ F&S 2020 SUMMER CAMP
The NorthFork Cooks food truck is parking behind the First & South bar and restaurant in Greenport for the summer of 2020 as part of the tavern's "F&S 2020 Summer Camp" campsite-inspired courtyard scene. Credit: Ian J. Stark
Make sure to check out the NorthFork Cooks food truck parked behind First & South restaurant this summer. The spot has tranformed into a campsite-inspired courtyard to dine. Guests can order from the venue’s menu or from the food trucks list of dishes—and both can be served with cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and spirits. Each of the yard’s socially distanced tables is equipped with a lantern, while Edison bulbs dangle overhead. Leashed dogs are permitted and chalk is given out to children so they can draw on the concrete path that runs through the lawn. There’s also a large outdoor movie screen and starting Aug. 1 films will be shown Wednesdays (for date nights) and Saturdays (for families) starting at sundown. A turntable spinning vinyl provides tunes, watch for pop-ups from indie filmmakers and live music plays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every first Friday of the month.
INFO 100 South St., Greenport; 631-333-2200, firstandsouth.com.
LUCHARITOS BURRITO BAR
If the locations in Greenport, Aquebogue and Center Moriches weren’t within your reach, this latest outpost officially opened its doors on Aug. 27 and is already scoring big with its “Build Your Own” tacos, nachos, fajitas, burritos, salads and bowls option. I
NFO 10095 Main Rd., Mattituck; 631-477-6666, lucharitos.com. Open noon-8 p.m. Thurs-Sun.
NORTH FORK FOOD TRUCK
Chef-driven edibles are served via this food truck parked outside the North Fork Table restaurant and bar in Southold. Credit: Genevieve Hassall
Located in the garden outside the newly reopened North Fork Table restaurant and bar, the food truck is an extension of the eatery. Grab a bite to eat from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays with dishes crafted by chef John Fraser—including such options as charred corn elote, burgers and lobster rolls both hot and cold—plus wine, beer and cider.
INFO 57225 Main Rd., Southold; 631-765-0177, northforktableandinn.com
‘YOGA IN THE VINES’
Both the Croteaux Vineyards in Southold and Shinn Vineyards in Mattituck alternately serve as the location for the "Yoga in the Vines" event, led by instructor Ava Cardinale. Credit: Chris Fenimore
For a different kind of way to kick off the weekend within the NOFO wine country, Croteaux Vineyards (1450 S. Harbor Rd, Southold; 631-765-6099, croteaux.com) and Shinn Estate Vineyards (2000 Oregon Rd., Mattituck; 631-804-0367, shinnestatevineyards.com) hold an hour-long “Yoga in the Vines” session 10 a.m. Saturdays, with the location alternating weekly between the two wineries(all yoga levels welcome). Class are followed by either a mimosa or glass of sparkling wine for each guest. Events are planned to run into at least mid-September. Guests are asked to bring their own mats and water bottles.
INFO $40; $35 for wine club and case club members.
NOFO OUTING BY CYCLE WITH EAST END BIKE TOURS
East End Bike Tours, based in Mattituck, offers a "North Fork Experience Bicycle Tour" that provides a guided ride through NOFO wine county, and can be tailored to include various tastings and fruit picking. Credit: East End Bike Tours
Stretching about 15 miles in length, East End Bike Tours’ guided North Fork Experience Bicycle Tour rolls through the region’s wine country, and includes activities like wine tastings, herb-infused oil tastings, fine vinegar tastings and fruit picking. Starting at 10 a.m. on select days (check schedule).
INFO 13200 Main Rd., Mattituck; 631-871-1666. Book online at eastendbiketours.com
ROADSIDE ART STAND
The Beebe K-Art in Cutchogue is a roadside opportunity to purchase art and crafted accessories. Credit: Kaitlin Beebe
People cruising through the North Fork are likely to spot roadside pitstops to grab fresh produce—but motorists can add art to the list with Cutchogue artist Kaitlin Beebe's Beebe K-Art. Starting July 24, the pop-up shop on wheels—will be open noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, and shoppers will find items like tote bags, prints and notecards, as well as original works created on paper—and watch for pop-ups from other artists and craftspeople to arrive this season.
INFO 24775 Main Rd., Cutchogue; instagram.com/thebeebek_art
PAWPAW POP-UP
A meal served at a Pawpaw dinner pop-up, held at Bruce & Son in Greenport. Credit: Katelynn Knapp
Taking place at the chic brunch restaurant Bruce & Son (208 Main St., Greenport; bruceandsongreenport.com), which normally closes by 2:30 p.m., this dinner pop-up takes place twice on July 18, Aug. 22 and Sept. 5, with seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and the house handling the beverage service. As for Pawpaw dining, each meal is $75 (not including drinks), and will be different each time, but expect food that is tied to the season and comes from Long Island farms and waters. Pawpaw is also serving food for pick-up at or delivery from the Lin Beach House (455 Route 25, Greenport; thelinbeachhouse.com).
INFO pawpawpopup.com, reservations required.
JAMESPORT FARM BREWERY
Beer being poured at the Jamesport Farm Brewery in Riverhead. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Serving beverages brewed with barley and hops grown on-site, its pet-friendly premises is a hit with people stopping by for a day out on the North Fork. A food truck is parked at the brewery from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays; a $5 cover charge may be in effect for some of the live music playing 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
INFO 5873 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 844-532-2337, jfbrewery.com
PIZZA RITA TRUCK AT TOWNSEND
Pizza Rita in Mattituck also has a food truck available (pictured) for catered events and pop-ups at other area venues. Credit: Jeffrey Marrone
Pizza Rita may be based in Mattituck (55 Middle Rd.; 631-315-5557, pizzarita.org), but on Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. (or until the dough supply runs out) pizzaiolo Jeffrey Marrone takes his restaurant’s namesake food truck to Greenport where he serves up pizza at Townsend Manor Inn at a scene that includes an outdoor bar and live music. Cash only.
INFO Townsend Manor Inn, 714 Main St.; 631-477-2000, townsendinn.com
DURYEA ORIENT POINT
A view of Gardiners Bay from the deck of Duryea Orient Point in Orient. Credit: Doug Young
If you’re seeing lots of activity at this brand-new restaurant and marina while driving in and out of Orient Beach State Park, drop by for a bite; it’s working as a walk-in eatery only, open to groups up to eight people Monday and then Wednesday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. If you're on your boat and want to grab lunch or dinner—the marina is also first-come, first-serve and can accommodate vessels as large as 90 feet in length. It includes inside dining but also offers an outdoor deck with views that may include the Cross Sound Ferry as it comes in and leaves for Connecticut. Seafood is the main cuisine, and the bar serves beer and wine; an in-house DJ is also slated to spin five days a week.
INFO 40200 Main Rd., Orient; duryeaop.com
DEMARCHELIER
A sidewalk table where those dining at Demarchelier restaurant at the Menhaden Hotel are seated. Credit: Demarchelier
Head to the Menhaden hotel and have a romantic meal at Demarchelier. The spot has sidewalk dining and serves traditional French food—and if you’re a hotel guest, you can also dine on the rooftop deck, which has some of the highest views anywhere in the village.
INFO 207 Front St., Greenport; 631-333-2778, demarchelierrestaurant.com. Hours: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Thurs-Fri; 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sat-Sun.
MONTAUK DISTILLING CO.
Montauk Distilling Co. may be based at the east end of the Hamptons but starting in August they will officially launch a distillery in Riverhead. Tours will be available on weekends or by reservation 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays then 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays. Apparel will be available for purchase as will its spirits, such as Sunburn cinnamon rum, Bellamy spiced rum, Modico Vodka and 71st Regiment Gin; cheese boards, chips and other bites will be offered for sale as well.
INFO 24 E. 2nd St., Riverhead; 631-727-6326, montaukdistillingco.com
GO GLAMPING AT ELIK
A look from inside one of the glamping Safari tents available at Eastern Long Island Kampground in Greenport. Credit: Sean Magnuson
Eastern Long Island Kampground, currently has three of its “Safari” tents available for a glamp-out (each contains a queen bed, WiFi, flat screen TV, air conditioning, coffee maker, microwave, refrigerator, gas grill, fire pit, porch extension, private outdoor shower, full bathroom and full elevated platform deck) through the end of October for a two-night minimum, starting at $250 a night; $325 on weekends. Ownership is expecting its cabins to be ready by late September, with each offering bedrooms suites, full bathrooms and kitchens inside plus many of the same amenities as the tents for $450 a night.
INFO 690 Queen St., Greenport; 631-477-0022, elikampground.com
TRADEWINDS BREWING COMPANY
A look at the entrance to Tradewinds Brewing Company in Riverhead. Credit: Duffy Griffiths
Taking over the spot that last housed Crooked Ladder Brewery, Duffy Griffiths—once the Crooked Ladder brewer—is now Director of Operations at Tradewinds, which opened earlier this summer. Its tasting room is currently operating 2 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, 1 to 6 p.m. Fridays and noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, and appropriately is serving its limited “New Guy” IPA, as well as other hoppy options such as New England IPAs “The Haze on the Bays” and “Adrift.”
INFO 70 West Main St., Riverhead; tradewindsbrewing.com
CRUISE GREEN IN GREENPORT
The electric-powered cruise vessel Glory, docked in Greenport Harbor. (July 29, 2020) Credit: Ian J. Stark
Now entering its 22nd year, Captain David Berson is taking his electric-powered passenger vessel Glory back out on the harbor for private tours Friday through Sunday. Up to eight passengers can take part in a 45-minute voyage for $150 total; book in advance via greenportlaunch.com.
INFO Call 631-477-2515 for more information.
GARDEN OF EVE FARM BREWERY
Using malt made from grains grown on the premises, this spot also known as an organic farm, garden center and market serves up craft beer and hard cider at its tasting room.
INFO 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 631-477-6666, gardenofevefarm.com. Open noon-6 p.m. weekends through Sept. to Halloween.
RIVERHEAD CIDERHOUSE
Taps of Cider at the Riverhead Cider House. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
With a patio equipped with tables sheltered by red apple-hued umbrellas, this spot has a selection of ciders as well as several offbeat craft brews on tap. The tasting room is currently open six days a week (no Tuesdays) and while it normally runs on a first-come, first-serve basis you’ll need to make reservations for some events; call ahead to check. Watch for live music on weekend afternoons and trivia 6 p.m. Thursdays.
INFO 2711 Sound Ave., Calverton; 631-591-0217, riverheadcider.com
ADVENTURE PADDLEBOARDS & KAYAKS
A group of paddleboarders out on an excursion with Adventure Paddleboards & Kayaks, based in South Jamesport. Credit: Cherryl Bradley
Teaching the art of SUP (stand up paddleboard) while also renting kayaks and paddleboards, this spot offers “Floating Yoga” 9:30 a.m. Saturdays and 10:30 a.m. Sundays.
INFO located at Jamesport Bay Suites: 67 Front St., South Jamesport; 631-377-0162; adventurepaddleboards.com
SPARKLING POINTE VINEYARDS
A look at the outdoor seating available to guests at Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery in Southold. Credit: Melissa Rockwell
Currently open by appointment only for customers 21 and older, groups of six or less people can enjoy a day at the vineyard. Visitors coming to sample its Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines can do so at seated outdoor tables (indoor seating available only during inclement weather) by way of tasting flights or by the glass. A food pairing menu focused on cheeses, charcuterie and edibles created in New York State is offered as well.
INFO 39750 CR-48, Southold; 631-765-0200, sparklingpointe.com
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