Daycation on the North Fork of Long Island
With so many great places to visit on the North Fork of Long Island, every trip can be different from the last. Last Friday, my husband and I played hooky while the kids were at school and we spent the day "out east", as we Long Islanders say. It was such a perfectly balanced day of relaxation and inspiration, that I'd like to share it with you in case you're planning a day trip this fall.
Our first stop was lunch at The North Fork Shack, a casual eatery in Southold. The fresh, delicious food tasted as if we had a personal chef cooking just for us. We ordered at the counter and sat at one of the long, family-style tables, where the food was brought to us. The decor was simple and straightforward, with an underlying nautical theme.
Since the drive out from our home was an hour and half, my husband and I were ready for a little something to help fuel our conversation, so next we stopped at the North Fork Roasting Co., also in Southold. The scent alone was worth the visit! It is a small batch artisanal coffee roaster and cafe in an historic home, vintage decor and all. The roasting is done on-site and the beans we bought to bring home were still warm!
Sufficiently caffeinated, I was ready to be inspired, so we headed to the White Flower Farmhouse shop to browse - I mean buy - some home decor. The store felt like heaven to me, filled with both old and new farmhouse finds and everything white and natural. It was like stepping back in time to an old-fashioned general store and yet it felt modern and fresh. I wished I could move right in!
With the afternoon waning, we decided to stop at the Kontokosta Winery in Greenport. We were kid-free, after all! Word has it that it's the only winery on the North Fork with a view of the Long Island Sound. Shaded picnic tables, delicious wine and a beautiful tasting room made it the perfect place to unwind.
By this point we were starting to feel hungry, so we made one last stop at First and South in Greenport proper. The food was creative and interesting, while still appealing to more traditional palates. The restaurant is in an historic home (I sense a theme here!), with an atmospheric outdoor dining patio surrounded by greenery.
We topped off our day with an after dinner stroll down to the Greenport waterfront, where we enjoyed the sights of the marina, the sounds of the antique carousel and a walk on the pier. I hope our day can inspire you to get away from the kids... er, try some new places ;) on the North Fork!
