A Local’s Guide to the North Fork
By Carrie Nieman Culpepper
Published Sept 29th, 2017
Just when other beach towns are closing down for the season, Long Island’s North Fork is heading into its peak season. The farm–and winery–filled fork shines during fall harvest time. “It’s really a foodie mecca, we have great restaurants and wineries, perfect for a fall weekend trip—and, a more laid back life,” says Corcoran agent Sheri Winter Clarry.
Clarry, who lives and works in Southold, shares some of her favorite North Fork spots with INHABIT:
What to Do: Shop, Bike, Boat, Wine-Taste
Visit Love Lane in Mattituck. Love Lane Kitchen is a great restaurant and they do breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can go anytime, but I’m partial to the French 75 and Dark and Stormy, so I go for dinner. Lombardi’s Love Lane Market is a cute food market where you can pack a picnic to trek around. And pop into Mint, a chic clothing store with a few locations around Long Island and Manhattan.
Boating is amazing this time of year: It’s quiet and gorgeous. Albertson Marine in Southhold can take you out for a ride—ask for Dave.
The North Fork is nice and flat, which is perfect for biking. In Orient Point, the farthest point east, there are some good bike paths and a few tours. Pour & Pedal leads guests to various wineries by bike, and East End Bike Tours offers another great way to explore.
We’re known for our farms so you must stop at one of the many farm stands, like Sang Lee (if you live out here, they deliver!), or 8 Hands Farm for meat and dairy. Harbes Family Farm is great for pumpkin picking and Breeze Hill Farm & Preserve is a must for apples and apple cider donuts.
Go wine tasting at rosé winery, Croteaux. You feel like you’re in France when you’re there—it’s a must! Mattebella Vineyards, right around the corner, also has a beautiful setting and nice wines. Others I love are Bedell Cellars, Macari Vineyards, and Martha Clara Vineyards.
The new North Fork Trolley is a fun way to get around, but it’s easy to drive from town to town—and even as far as Orient Point.
Where to Stay
Greenport is a great town to stay in because it’s walkable with little shops and seafood restaurants right on the water. American Beech hotel sits in a 19th-century converted horse stable and has a gorgeous design, plus they have bikes you can borrow and take around. The Greenporter is a hip motel. The Sound View Greenportis right on the Long Island Sound and has just undergone a renovation. Or stay on a vineyard at Shinn Estate Vineyards & Farmhouse Inn, complete with frittata from eggs from their own chickens in the morning.
Where to Eat
The Frisky Oyster in Greenport is amazing—try the Crab Louie appetizer, country salad, short ribs, beet salad, tuna tartare—it’s all so good, and the pecan pie is out of this world. The Halyard at the Soundview Inn has great cocktails, and it’s the perfect place to watch the sunset. At the restaurant at American Beech, I love the seared foie gras, crispy Brussels sprouts and whatever fish special they’re serving.
The crab-stuffed devil’s egg at Noah’s is amazing. And Port Waterfront Bar & Grill is a great laid back seafood restaurant with outside seating facing Greenport Harbor. I always order fresh fish or the grilled filet steak tips.
