This article was updated on July 26th, 2021

You want to getaway and catch up on some much-needed R&R, but also be able to do things. We want you to be able to experience what it’s like out here when you visit. We decided to share a sample itinerary for a stay on the eastern part of the North Fork in Greenport. We’ve selected destinations for lodging, dining and tasting, with a little shopping and exploring thrown in. 

Greenport is a quaint seaside village with many of its best spots to see within walking distance – even in winter. We recommend a stay at The Inn at Harbor Knoll, located on Fourth Street. This inn has a breathtaking water view and is tucked away in a peaceful spot. However, it is also situated within walking distance of the village. The village provides all that you’d need in terms of shopping and browsing through galleries. It also has gourmet and more casual eateries, as well as cocktail hot spots. The Inn at Harbor Knoll provides breakfast and many nice amenities in all seasons. Our favorite is the hidden bar that the innkeeper opens for you just before you head off to dinner. View their website for more.

When dining cozy in Greenport, definitely check out First & South, located on the corner of First Street and South Street. The food is fresh and creative, featuring local seasonal dishes. It is also really inviting, with dim lighting and super comfy seating. We think the staff makes the experience what it is with their welcoming and friendly personalities. Check out their website for a menu and more details.

If you do visit with your car or decide to have a car service pick you up, we recommend you visit a couple of nearby tasting rooms. Since this is a cozy stay, we will include some of the more boutique tasting rooms. One to visit would be Coffee Pot Cellars. The wine is excellent, the tasting room offers comfortable open space but is not large, and the pricing is also good. We love the family pug dog, who is also their mascot.

Since two wine tastings seem to be a good number, we also suggest Paumanok Vineyards in Aquebogue. The tasting room offers some tables, so you can have the option of being seated for your wine flight. Their wines are amazing, with a good variety to suit your taste preferences. In addition, we love their cheese menu. We recommend ordering this with your tasting and get the warm bread.

There are many cozy places and things to do on the East End of Long Island. Plan your getaway for the day, the weekend or longer. Be sure to visit our Events page and explore attractions, more dining, wineries, shopping, lodging and more.

This Article Was Updated On July 21st, 2021

The North Fork of Long Island has become a popular touring destination for its wine country tasting rooms, farm stands and restaurants that have become inclusive of the aforementioned, offering local wine and seasonal farm-to-table dishes on their menus. Many of these dining locations have become hot spots in the hamlet hubs and villages, making them very well-known among visitors. This blog is all about those restaurants that are somewhat hidden or at least considered best kept secrets in this region. We hope you find these helpful in your food adventures on the East End.

1. Ram’s Head Inn, Shelter Island

The Ram’s Head is located on the quiet and scenic Shelter Island, with a beautiful view of the water just beyond their sprawling property that sits atop a gradual-sloping hillside. We think their restaurant and bar, with a warm wooden glow, is a hidden gem simply for its island location amidst the trees, off of the winding road of Ram Island Drive.

Their restaurant’s menu highlights the current season and includes items such as: free range chicken breast, filet mignon, local duck Cassoulet, Littleneck clams, and pumpkin seed crusted salmon. They host a Sunday brunch and even have a special bar menu, which includes truffle mac and cheese, mushroom flatbread, tuna tartare and even a signature burger. Additionally, you’ll find an extensive wine list with inclusions from Long Island as well. For more about Ram’s Head Inn, visit theramsheadinn.com.

2. Touch of Venice, Cutchogue

This gourmet Italian restaurant doesn’t have a hidden location by any means, as you’ll find it on Main Road/Route 25 in Cutchogue, but we consider it a hidden gem because it will surprise you. Their sophisticated authentic dishes from Italy with a flair will impress you, along with their beautiful, cozy dining room and first-class service. They offer seasonal specials as well as repeated favorites that guests find they go back for again and again.

Touch of Venice supports local wines and you’ll find an extensive Long Island wine list among other favorite brands. You will even enjoy local craft beer on tap. Their menu includes: veal ricotta meatballs (famous dish!), stuffed artichokes (continued favorite), Peconic escargot, pasta favorites, Red Snapper, grilled rib eye, veal dishes and more. They even offer platters for sharing. Find out more at touchofvenice.com.

3. The Jamesport Manor Inn, Jamesport

Inside this grand, traditional manor house lives an extraordinary restaurant that incorporates local ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere. It is a well-kept secret, located on Manor Lane in Jamesport, on the less traveled path. You’ll find on their dinner menu items such as: roasted beet salad, local oysters, almond crusted fried brie with truffle honey, basil pine nut crusted Berkshire Pork Milanese, local striped bass, lobster pappardelle, truffle mushroom ravioli and more. They offer a separate lunch menu, and host weddings as well as private events and celebrations.

This memorable and romantic location delivers in atmosphere, service and perfectly prepared dishes. Upon visiting their website, you are able to view a menu gallery as well as get a peek into their dining room gallery, the Rosalie Dimon Gallery, decorated with a variety of mediums of colorful landscape artwork. You’ll find their details at jamesportmanor.com.

These three restaurant selections are just a taste of the many hidden gems that you will discover on the North Fork to suit your food cravings. This article is the first in a series. Look for our next one that will highlight Hidden Gems in Montauk Dining. We will be featuring a variety of these best kept secrets or hard to find places in lodging and touring. Stay tuned!

There are many dining options all season long on the East End of Long Island. Plan your getaway for the day, the weekend or longer. Be sure to visit our Events page and explore attractions, more dining, wineries, shopping, lodging and more.

This article was updated on July 19th, 2021

Montauk has become a hotspot among foodies. It stands out for its character – of course the proximity to the ocean beaches, being the Island’s end, and having beautiful accommodations. These traits help draw visitors at all times of the year. The dining scene has definitely grown in Montauk, and there are some standout places that we’d like to recommend that you may not have found in your recent travels there. This is our Hidden Gems series! Last time, we focused on the North Fork. Today, we bring you a more focused blog about those restaurants that are somewhat hidden or at least considered best kept secrets at ‘The End’ of the East End of Long Island. We hope you find these helpful in your food travels.

1. Inlet Seafood Restaurant & Sushi

   This restaurant fits into our Hidden Gems topic perfectly. I would have never known about this spot, if my friend didn’t bring me here. It’s located at 541 East Lake Drive. Serving both lunch and dinner featuring fresh, local fish and artfully prepared sushi, this place offers spectacular harbor views, especially at sunset. They provide the freshest seafood possible, “almost always locally-landed by one of their boats, while adhering to the strictest conservation standards.” Their tagline reads: Respect the ocean. Harvest the bounty. Feed the people. Who wouldn’t want to go here? 

2. Muse at the End

   Muse is a great find that is more unexpected when you walk in and order. It is an unpretentious, cozy spot in the middle of town that surprises guests. Their menu offers Modern American cuisine with inspirations derived from its locale of Montauk. A Chef Matthew Guiffrida production, this dining spot is open all year. It can be found amidst the village at 41 South Euclid Avenue. Guests will enjoy live music every weekend by local artists, along with a regular dining room, bar with Happy Hour, and early bird Prix Fixe menu daily (excluding holiday weekends). 

3. Montauk Circle

   Montauk Circle is a new-comer to Montauk this year and has gotten amazing reviews from quite a few visitors, placing it in the Top 10 Best Burgers in the Hamptons list on TripAdvisor. The Montauk Circle is in the heart of town is a must try. Montauk Circle Burger (MCB) has taken over a familiar location (the former home of O’Murphy’s Pub and Saltbox). We decided to put this choice in our Hidden Gems list because the service as well as the burgers are extraordinary. This is not your typical pub or burger place. It is above and beyond expectations. We recommend planning this into your visit. You’ll find this spot around the circle in town at 99 Carl Fisher Plaza. 

These three restaurant selections are just a taste of the many hidden gems that you will discover in Montauk to suit your food cravings.

There are many dining options all season long on the East End of Long Island. Plan your getaway for the day, the weekend or longer. Be sure to visit our Events page and explore attractions, more dining, wineries, shopping, lodging and more.

This Article Was Updated On July 21st, 2021

Handcrafting with products from local farms and purveyors is what defines North Fork Chocolate Company as an artisanal chocolate company located on the East End of Long Island that manufactures their handcrafted centers from locally grown and sourced products on the East End of Long Island. North Fork Chocolate Company was established in 2012 and in January 2013 the company was approved to begin working out of the Stony Brook University Incubator program in Calverton. The Calverton Incubator originally started as an Agricultural Science Center and built on a commercial share kitchen developing a program to aide entrepreneurs in the culinary industry.

In late 2012, the Stony Brook Incubator at Calverton opened its doors to welcome these new entrepreneurs and that is where co-founders, Ann Corley and chocolatier/executive chef, Steven Amaral of North Fork Chocolate began their journey. An approved company must be fully insured and obtain both a license to operate through NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and a Suffolk County Food Managers Certificate. Ms. Corley and Chef Amaral began manufacturing an individual gourmet dessert line, and artisanal small batch Belgian chocolates selling wholesale to gourmet markets including Wild by Nature, Taste NY (Long Island Welcome Center and Penn Station), local vineyards, restaurants, and country clubs. They went on to retail their products attending farmers markets, and community events. In the fall of 2013, they opened up the first local brand pop-up in Tanger Outlets, Riverhead. From there they grew into their first brick and mortar shop on the North Fork at 740 Main Road, Aquebogue, which opened to the public in February of 2015.

Local B&B owner Darolyn Augusta of the Harvest Inn in Peconic ordered chocolates for her guests who said, “These aren’t BonBons! They are works of art featuring everything local!”

Today, Mr. Amaral and Ms. Corley continue a new era in growth with their latest process; stone-grinding fair-trade organic cacao beans creating small batch chocolate bars they call Aquabogg Gold. Still using their niche of everything local Chef Amaral has crafted these stone-ground chocolate bars with local products such as; beer from Long Ireland, Coffee from the Hampton Coffee Company, and wines from several local vineyards.

As a non-profit organization 501c3, every year Rites of Spring Music Festival showcases artists performing classic and contemporary music in unique venues, including museums, wineries and other iconic settings that celebrate the beautiful natural environment of Long Island’s North Fork. In just 5 years, the Rites of Spring Music Festival has become the premier classical and contemporary music festival on the North Fork of Long Island. In April 2016, the Festival was initiated to offer local residents and the numerous visitors to the East End a unique opportunity to experience the beautiful and significant repertoire of chamber music presented by young soloists and vocal and instrumental ensembles of international standing. In 2017, the program was expanded to offer contemporary music along with classical works.
The Rites of Spring Music Festival continued to grow in reputation and attendance through 2019 and was planning another exceptional program in 2020 when the Coronavirus social distancing restrictions forced the cancellation of traditional in-person events. With the challenge of stay-home orders and closed venues, the Festival adapted its program to present “Music & Tell,” a virtual performance series hosted weekly in May, June and July on Zoom. “Music & Tell” has served as a means to continue to fulfill our mission while serving as a bridge to what we hope will be a much-improved climate for live performances in 2021 and hopefully an opportunity for the Rites of Spring Music Festival to recover its audiences and reinforce its financial viability. The deep connection that Rites of Spring has developed with the community is clearly reflected in the community’s involvement and stake in the Festival’s success. In addition to the significant financial contributions provided by individuals and local businesses over the last five years, the Festival has benefited from valuable in-kind support in the form of considerable promotion from the local newspaper company, Times Review Media (Suffolk Times, Riverhead News Review, etc.), the North Fork Promotion Council (GoNOFO), and the East End Tourism Alliance. We have also been able to count on the generous support of our hosting venues that have provided concert space for free. Finally, we have enjoyed and appreciated the assistance of many volunteers at our concerts over the years.
The Festival was conceived and designed to make contemporary and classical music more accessible to the public, and to raise the community’s knowledge and appreciation of these genres. The programs have thus been designed to appeal to different age groups and ethnicities. For example, in 2019, our “Nature’s Sounds Concert” at Quogue Wildlife Refuge Center encouraged audience participation, especially among children, who were each given a branch to help build a giant nest. We also broadened our program with a specific appeal to the East End’s large Hispanic population with our “Art Songs from Latin America” concert at Castello di Borghese, which featured a mix of music for voice, guitar and percussion, including dances and love songs from Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.

As noted above, we have been very fortunate to have received in-kind promotional support over the years from local media and regional tourism promotion organizations. We will continue to count on these partners in 2021. We have also gained extensive visibility through calendar listings across Long Island and from our printed brochures and programs, which we will continue to use in 2021. We estimate that our average digital marketing reach is over 67,000 community members through various social media channels. Additionally, our printed brochures and programs have resulted in a further 14,000 impressions. And in 2019, our performances were listed by Suffolk Times/Times Review, Northforker.com Newsday, Dan’s Papers, Patch, Long Island Business News, SoutholdLocal, RiverheadLocal, 27East.com, WRIV and WNPR.
As Founder, Artistic & Director of the Rites of Spring Music Festival, my musical education includes studies with some renowned pianists, beginning at the Santa Cecilia Music Conservatory in Rome (Italy) and continuing at the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, and subsequently at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris, where I received his Masters’ Degree in Musicology of the 20th century. In 2006, I created a Masters’ Degree Program in Cultural Enterprise Administration at the University of Perugia. At the Venice Biennale, from 2008 to 2012, I was the General Coordinator of ENPARTS – European Network of Performing Arts – which promoted the creation of new works in dance, music and theater by young artists. From 2009 to 2014 I continued this work as Director of the Résonnance Italy, a Swiss-based nonprofit organization, where I was responsible for its artistic and humanitarian program, “bringing music to places where it is not heard,” producing more than two hundred concerts in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons to promote musical sensibilities and share the joy of music. From 2016 to 2020 I worked as  General Coordinator of Music Up Close Network at Santa Cecilia National Academy in Rome, which includes seven European orchestras that promote new orchestral works and support a new generation of musicians to connect with young audiences.

This article was updated on July 23, 2021

We love our local farms and the bounty we find at their stands. A CSA, Community Supported Agriculture, is a way to show loyalty to your favorite farm. In the traditional CSA model, people pay for a season’s worth of produce (a membership), sometimes months in advance. The CSA member then receives a box of fruits and vegetables every week throughout the harvesting season. This is great for the farmers because they get the revenue when they most need it to get ready for the growing season.

Today, there are many different ways to manage and be part of a CSA. CSA shares (the weekly delivery) come in different sizes (half-share, whole-share) and different frequencies (weekly, biweekly) to accommodate different household preferences. Some farmers offer add-ons like eggs, bread or flowers. In some models, the member can pick and choose what she wants in the box each week. Some CSAs more closely resemble buying clubs, where the members pay every month until they cancel.

On the East End, there are great options to choose from for a Winter/Spring or Summer/Fall CSA share.  Favorites include Golden Earthworm, Riverhead; Garden of Eve Organic Farm, Riverhead; and Sang Lee Farms, Peconic; with more throughout.  Explore more farms on our website.

What is CSA Day? In 2015, Small Farm Central released the 2014 CSA Farming Annual Report, which gathered data from more than 250 CSA farmers and almost 53,000 memberships. Among some interesting facts, the report showed that the most popular day for CSA Sign-ups in 2014 was Friday, February 28. So in 2015, the first National CSA Sign-up Day was held on Saturday, February 28. CSA farmers offered special discounts and promotions and enjoyed an influx of sign-ups from members wanting to support local agriculture. This year, CSA Day is about more than getting lots of CSA sign-ups; it’s a whole day dedicated to the celebration of community-supported agriculture.

There are many benefits to joining a CSA. Garden of Eve Organic Farm shares with us what it’s all about.

A CSA is like a subscription, or a vegetable-of-the-week club. You get to enjoy a mini-farmers market, all in one pick up.
Shares of:

• Vegetables – Fruit – Eggs
• Sunflowers – Bread – Grassfed Meat
• Gourmet Cheese
• Vegetable and Herb Plants
• Beer from the Garden of Eve Farm Brewery

You pay in full for your share before the distributions begin in early June, and in return for your commitment to our farm we provide you with just-picked organic produce at a good value, as well as farm trips, news, recipes, and a community of like-minded people to get to know. Summer/Fall Shares are 24 weeks, except sunflower shares which will be 10 weeks (July 1-Sept 6).

What are the benefits?

• Cook healthier, more delicious dishes: The share includes more than 40 varieties of vegetables which will challenge you to eat more fresh foods.
• Help the environment: We do not use any toxic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.
• Support your local farmers and the local economy: Enjoy farm visits and tours, CSA member potlucks, and a relationship with your farm.

We recommend looking further into joining a CSA share program if you enjoy fresh, local produce. It helps you and the farmers in your community.

This Article was Updated on July 21st, 2021

The East End of Long Island offers endless options for activities, attractions, tastings, dining, shopping and lodging. A visit to the North Fork, the Hamptons or Riverhead brings with it choices for all of your varied preferences. Whether you are seeking R&R, adventure or a combination of both, you will find it here.

 As many do, we are thinking about what we want to be sure to do in the New Year. With that, we would like to make some suggestions for your New Year’s Bucket List. Below are 20 things we think you should try on the East End. (if you haven’t already).

1. Spend a day at Splish Splash.
2. Take the family to the Long Island Aquarium.
3. Stay at a hotel/resort with a spa and catch up on some you time.
4. Go camping.
5. Stay a few days at a Bed & Breakfast.
6. Go to a farmer’s market.
7. Plan a wine tasting/touring day on the North Fork.
8. Go wine tasting in the Hamptons.
9. Try out some of the renowned craft beers on the East End.
10. Attend a foodie event.
11. Visit a dairy farm.
12. Go to Briermere Farms and pick more than one pie.
13. In season, eat only local vegetables with each dinner.
14. Visit a museum.
15. Go on a gallery walk.
16. Take a boat tour to Bug Light with East End Seaport Museum.
17. Rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board.
18. Build a sand castle at the ocean beach.
19. Watch the sunset on the Long Island Sound.
20. Make a reservation for date night at a restaurant you have been meaning to try.

Make this your year. Explore more about each of the above on our website.

A family day spent at the Long Island Aquarium as described by a contributor to the East End Getaway blog.

This article was updated on July 23rd, 2021

Today, I am thrilled to share my experience at the Long Island Aquarium. Upon our arrival, we decided to take my toddler out of her stroller. We knew this was taking a risk but did it anyway. It was the best moment. The older girls grabbed her hand, and they headed over to the turtle tank. The baby was in awe of the adorable faces of the turtles, and I was in awe at how everyone was getting along and taking their time to view.

As we crossed the bridge to the main indoor area, our excitement grew. Of course, the clownfish tank with “Nemo” and “Dory” in it is always a favorite, along with the large tank of colorful tropical fish. My mom and grandmother enjoyed the atmosphere. However, the overall choice for the baby was the shark tank. She kept waving at the sharks and the giant stingray. Every few moments, she would yell, “Hi!” and “Yay!” It was priceless.

Has anyone ever checked out the Butterfly, Bugs & Birds Exhibit? This was the first time that we experienced such extraordinary bird interaction! The parakeets were landing on our shoulders, arms, and head. My eight-year-old loved that she had two spending time on her hoodie sweatshirt. The butterflies were breathtaking too. I recommend adding this to your ticket. It rounds out the day.

Lunch was great, as they always have kid-friendly items along with healthy options for us moms on a diet. The aquarium was busy but kept very clean, and the staff was on point. We ran into the co-founder and aquarium curator, whom I’d met back in the summer at an event. He is affectionately known as Joe Fish and can often be found walking around with the staff or checking on a tank. Joe answered questions, such as what the Piranhas ate and how often they fed the fish. He even explained to my niece that she could do the shark dive when she turned twelve. People like this make us feel welcomed and keep us wanting to return to this destination.

Whether you are traveling to the area to stay or visiting for the day, I highly recommend planning an outing to the Long Island Aquarium. They’re a destination for families, couples, and friends alike. Be sure to check out what they have planned on their calendar ahead of time if you’re interested. In addition, they are always hosting special events throughout each season. Click here for their website to explore more about visiting.