The Road (even) Less Travelled, Part II
You are "officially" chosen, as only a limited amount of people will receive this email. Why me, you may ask? It's because you showed interest in The North Fork, the Road Less Traveled. This first post generated a lot of feedback and discussion, so much so that I felt compelled to go back and delve deeper. I was made aware of a few additional spots (some of which I had been to and some new to me) by North Fork locals & regulars who are subscribers to the Find (thank you Maura, Michelle, and a few others). As an aside, I love the feedback and suggestions, so please keep them coming! It seems that some of you appreciated learning about the unsung glory of the North Fork, the road less travelled --- so let's take it one step further 'cause why not? …
39750 County Road 48, Southold, NY 11971
Whether you have a reason to celebrate or not, go to this sparkling wine vineyard for a great tasting selection of wines. They make their wines in the traditional Méthode Champenoise, using only traditional champagne grape varietals (Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay) to make their great wine. They have a beautiful tasting room overlooking most of their acreage, and have caviar, cheese, and other snacks to round out your experience. Salut!
5195 Old North Rd, Southold, NY 11971
This vineyard is making some of the best wines on the North Fork. It is an added bonus that the owner, grower, and winemaker is a woman (hence one woman) and her name is Claudia Purita. Having grown up on her family's farm in Calabria, Italy she was exposed to the nuances of farming and exacting standards, which she has brought to her vineyard. Not only is the production limited, but the distribution is too, only selling her wines at the farm and TasteNY in Grand Central Station. The tasting room can only be described a quaint, as it is very small, but has a cozy (minute) deck overlooking the vineyards. One Woman is not commercial or overrun, it's personal in every way and epitomizes North Fork charm.
08 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944
This may be the best pizza in the Hamptons. I first met Owner/Chef Matt Michel in 2010 when we hired his mobile Pizza Oven/Truck for a party in the Hamptons. The truck, a 1943 International Harvester, was bought online and converted into a wood fired pizza oven on wheels. The truck was sufficiently successful to open a permanent restaurant in Greenport serving up the same amazing pies in a wood fired oven. 1943 Pizza Bar offers the freshest and most creative, mouth watering toppings like Nonna's meatballs, fresh little neck clams, buttery mashed potato, fresh cracked egg, and many more --- yum! If 1943 was not ambitious enough, Michel and partner Evan Bucholz opened a cocktail, speakeasy called Brix and Rye (picture mixologist) that serves … you guessed it killer drinks and Matt's pizza in the hidden basement of Sterling Square. Definitely check it out …
300 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944
Located in the very same courtyard as 1943 Pizza Bar is this very casual and chic bar/restaurant serving up great American fare. With twinkle lights and retro, maritime inspired interiors, this is a great spot to grab dinner (or brunch on weekends only) in Sterling Square. Friday afternoons in the summer, they host a weekly New England Clambake from 12-3!
7540 Main Rd, East Marion, NY 11939
This Instagram sensation (and deservedly so) was recommended to me by a Find subscriber, and while, I have driven passed it countless times, I'm remiss to say, I never stopped. And, worse than that, I missed it! After hearing about how special it was, I zoomed right over but the main French lavender bloom (early July and lasts 2 weeks) was over and the fields were cut! I recommend that you put a calendar note to call them in late June 2017 to time the bloom perfectly. If you just can't wait until next summer to frolic in the photo nirvana of 17 acres of lavender fields, there is a mini, second English bloom late Summer/early Fall to see. You can pick your own lavender (call before going to confirm) and take lots of photos, and tag/hashtag The Find!
Little Creek Oyster Farm and Market
37 Front Street, Greenport NY 11944
Go Shuck Yourself! Really! Get a bucket, pair it with brew, bubbles or local wine and get busy shucking your own oysters (you don't have to, but why the shuck not). This is the absolute definition of the un-Hampton, get smelly and get to work … it's why you're here (for the experience) and it's so worth it. The first few times I tried to go, they weren't open and that was annoying, so these are the hours: Wed/Thursday: 5-8, Friday 12-9, Saturday/Sunday 12-9.
Now in closing, I swear this time, consider the Northfork refound and Sparkling Pointe, One Woman Winery, 1943 Pizza Bar, American Beech, Lavender by the Bay, and Little Creek Oyster Farm and Market Found (and me, exhausted)!