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V&T NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2019
VACATION &TRAVEL
AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
A Long Island Escape BY CHRISTINA CLAUS
cclaus@antonmediagroup.com
I’ve lived on Long Island my entire life, but I rarely jump on the LIE and head out to the North Fork, except for the once-a-year trip to Harbes Orchard to sip cider and pick apples. And I’ve come to realize that is the case for many Long Islanders. We live mere minutes to an hour away from villages like Greenport, which offer so much more than just apple picking in the fall, and we never take advantage of it. see GREENPORT on page 20A
(Photos by Christina Claus)
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NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2019 • VACATION & TRAVEL
GREENPORT from page 19A
What To Do
A few weekends ago, I packed a few small bags, my boyfriend and an air bed into the 2020 GMC Sierra AT4, and drove just an hour and a half to almost the farthest point of the island. But, as we drove up to Sound View, a charming resort-style hotel that offers an ocean view with each room, it felt like we were transported off Long Island to a rustic beach cabin in Cape Cod. When walking into the main building to pick up keys, one is met with a wall of wicker seating against windows showcasing a view of the ocean below. Entering each room feels like escaping to a wooden beach bungalow, with the smell of the saltwater in the air. Each room welcomes visitors with complimentary Tate’s Bakeshop cookies—keeping it local—and sparkling water, a picture window view of the rocky beach and an exit onto a private deck for guests to feel the ocean breeze on. We only spent two nights at Sound View, Thursday night through Saturday afternoon, but we were able to fit in quite a bit— fishing, stargazing, a walk through town, a trip to a winery and, of course, eat tons of incredible farm-to-table food.
Shinn Estate Vineyards It’s been a dream of mine to stomp grapes in a giant wooden barrel like the classic I Love Lucy episode, and Shinn Estate Vineyards, for that weekend only, helped me achieve my dream. We loaded the Sierra CarbonPro truck bed (the industry’s first carbon fiber pickup box) with wooden barrels filled with wine grapes we had just clipped from the vines. We made the experience into a competition—the one to fill up a container with the most grape juice in a minute wins. It was nothing like I imagined. I thought it would be a messier and get all over my clothes, but it actually just felt like stepping into a cool, watery juice over and over again. And no matter how hard we stomped or sloshed around in the buckets, the truck bed was left completely unscathed. Also, don’t worry—that grape juice won’t be used. Being part of the wine-making process (a one-time experience) wasn’t the only thing Shinn Estate Vineyards had to offer. Staycationers can enjoy the crisp fall air while they check out
all the winery has to offer: a barrel room filled with natural light perfect for lunches, tastings and private events, a tasting room, a porch and lawn area with comfy couches and tables for friends and family and the picturesque vineyards for that perfect photo. Orient Point Fishing Drive to Orient Point, pass the ferry and follow the dirt and gravel road of the parking lot off-road. There may be a ton of bumps in the road (but the Sierra smooths them out) and it narrows quite a bit (somehow the giant truck managed to fit), but you can drive out onto the beach, back your truck close to the rocks and fish right out of the truck. On Friday morning, after a
complimentary continental breakfast at Sound View, we did just that. I pressed the button on the bed’s door, releasing the MultiPro step (is more like an actual stair and allows for easier entry to the bed), and hoisted myself up with the flip-up handle. We spent the next two hours relaxing as we threw our lines out into the ocean. Of course, my boyfriend caught five blowfish. Stargazing If you’re going out to the North Fork, you need to spend a night staring up at the sky. It’s incredible, and definitely not something I’m able to see from my home. We positioned the 2020 GMC Sierra AT4, which has an air mattress accessory kit that fits the bed of the truck perfectly, on Sound View’s beach (you
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comfy couches and pillows, setting a calming mood. The restaurant offers a full farm-totable menu featuring coconut shrimp with a spicy mango aioli, pork belly steam buns and a fresh harvest salad with apples, candied pecans for sweetness, blue cheese, dried cranberries in a light cider vinaigrette to start meals. The entrées range from PHOTO for GMC) a light vegetable fettuccine packed (Photo by Talisman with pesto cream, zucchini, brocenter Mitchell Park colini and carrots to a juicy blackened definitely have to get the OK & Marina, home to the 100-year-old ribeye topped with Cajun butter and from management). We fit the air bed antique carousel, a camera obscura, a served with herb crusted potatoes and in the back of the truck bed, complete darkened room into which light enters seasonal vegetables. with blankets and pillows, lay down through a small opening and projects Pro tip: Check out the inn’s and looked up at the clear sky packed a live picture onto a screen, and an speakeasy that once served as an with twinkling stars. Because the sky ice-skating rink (in the winter). Underground Railroad site. was clear, we were able to see the big The Halyard dipper and the Milky Way. Fresh Food Favorites Located at Sound View, The Halyard Pro tip: Download the Night Sky or Jedediah Hawkins Inn offers a menu filled with ingredients Sky Guide apps on your phone to find As we drove up the gravel path sourced from the local North Fork some lesser-known constellations. toward the Jedediah Hawkins Inn, companies: Oysterponds Shellfish Co., Greenport Village the twilight surrounding us, I thought Ira Haspel, Southold Fish, Farmer Joe, Find a spot in the municipal lot and to myself, this is where I want to Arshamomaque Dairy, Braun Seafood take a walk down Main Street and have my wedding. The quaint inn is and Crescent Farms. Front Street. There are tons of antique surrounded by greenery and a walkway Executive Chef Stephan Bogardus shops to pop in and out of, as well with a canopy of trees, offering ample created a menu featuring an extensive as boutiques like Lido, Creations by opportunity for photographs. Inside is list of cocktails, including From Dusk Lisa and Crinoline Fashion Boutique. nothing short of cozy and relaxing, rus- Till Dawn (tequila blanco, grapefruit, Stop into Hampton Chocolate Factory tic creaking floor boards and modern house tonic syrup and agave) which or Kate’s Cheese Company for some décor. If you can, be seated in the green comes with incredible presentation: treats while enjoying the stroll. room, open to the greenery outdoors, orange hues, foam and a single flower While walking Front Street, one can and filled with small, twinkling lights, in the center. The dinner menu offers
several “For the Table” appetizers like oysters, juicy jumbo shrimp cocktail, and whipped Italian ricotta with ciabatta toast and truffle honey; appetizers like the Autumn beet salad (perfect for the season) with pears, walnuts, blue cheese and endive; entrées including housemade ricotta cavatelli with summer truffle, seared Shinecock sea scallops and a grass-fed New York strip steak. Pro tip: Be sure to make reservations at sunset, because the windowed room turns the room hues of pinks and reds. Bruce & Son If you’re looking for brunch, I don’t think it can get any better than Bruce & Son in Greenport. Nestled on Main Street just a few storefronts from the water, Bruce & Son has a minimalistic approach to its décor and a front porch perfect to sit out on a fall day. Brunch-goers can enjoy light favorites like lemon scones, breads with berry preserves and granola. Must-haves are the egg sandwich (a folded omelet nestled on a brioche bun and topped with candy bacon, pickled onions—which make for a surprisingly sweet addition—Gruyère, watercress and dijonnaise) and the Benedict (ciabatta, Berkshire ham, wilted spinach, herb hollandaise and poached eggs). Pro tip: Get the fresh squeezed orange juice.
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