Sure, it’s nice to be home and cozy on the holidays. But if you’re still a little traumatized by all the work that went into Thanksgiving (the shopping, the cooking, the cleaning…), maybe all you want for Christmas is… a break. At least in the kitchen.
There are plenty of spots on the North Fork ready as reindeer to bring you a gorgeous, festive feast on the eve or day (or for take-out, too!). Here are some options to keep you very merry.
North Fork Table & Inn, 57225 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-0177
Enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes North Fork style. Long Island oysters, broiled little neck clams, squid ink pappardelle and grilled sea bass speckle the three-course prix-fixe menu. On the sweeter side, close the night out with a chocolate fish in line with the feast’s theme. Available from 4 to 8 p.m., this meal is $120 per person with reservations required. Make one here.
Cooperage Inn, 2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, 631-727-8994
The locally sourced menu plus a few exciting specials will be served at Cooperage Inn on Christmas and Christmas Eve. Decadent Chef’s specials like the pecan crusted fried brie or chicken pot pie are available among other casual country cooking treats. Make a reservation to dine between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. here.
Touch of Venice, 28350 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-298-5851
Traditional Italian cuisine and a cozy atmosphere is waiting for you at Touch of Venice which will be open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 3 to 7 p.m. Both days pick from the regular menu with lots to share, pastas, entrees like bistecca Tuscany — a New York strip made with olive oil, lemon, garlic, parsley, or veal parmigiana served with garganelli pasta, plus specials. Call to reserve your spot.
Bistro 72, 1830 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-3325
On Christmas Eve and Christmas enjoy a prix-fixe menu from 3 p.m. on. For s started choose between a French onion soup with melted provolone and crostini or the restaurants signature salad made with arugula, strawberries, almonds, red onion, goat cheese crumble and sherry vinaigrette. Entrees include seafood options like a shellfish packed linguini or a stuffed flounder. Or opt for a Christmas classic like honey glazed ham. Filet mignon, roasted chicken and a ravioli dish are also available. And for dessert tiramisu, apple tart or chocolate cake will satisfy your sweet tooth. The meal is $65 for adults and $35 for children under 12. Make a reservation here.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S. Ram Island Dr., Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
Head to one of Shelter Island’s most beautiful spots to sleep and sup for a Christmas Eve prix fixe that’s a gift to your palate. For $95, the three-course holiday menu offers a choice between a first-course of mushroom leek velouté with créme fraiche or beet and apple salad with creamy whipped feta, radicchio, walnuts and an agave-based vinaigrette; main offerings of duck ragu with braised leek fondue, filet mignon or roast salmon with butternut squash hash and the sweet final kiss of chocolate cake kissed with raspberry compote or dreamy crème brûlée.
The Birchwood, 512 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-727-4449
Head to Polish Town for a bountiful Christmas Eve buffet at this Riverhead staple, festooned this time of year with its annual Nutcracker and reindeer displays, giant red sleigh and twinkly holiday lights. Adults are $59.95; kids ages 3 to 10 are $29.95, for a multitude of hot and cold holiday dishes aplenty.
Tweed’s, 17 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-3151
Enjoy a holiday dinner at this bison and beef steak house, which is believed to be the oldest restaurant, bar and hotel in Riverhead. Tweed’s is a cozy spot with an extensive drinks menu (including Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon) served from an 1893 mahogany and marble bar. Reservations may be made here.
Southold Social, 56125 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-8888
This elegant farm-to-table bistro will take reservations from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Christmas Day; with a raw bar, inventive pasta dishes and a 2-course children’s menu. Click here to reserve.
Legends Restaurant & Bar, 835 First St., New Suffolk, 631-734-5123
Open at noon on Christmas Day, Legends offers the choice of an upscale restaurant or a casual sports bar with a large beer selection in picturesque New Suffolk. Known for their spanking fresh fish and delectable dessert/dessert cocktail list. To reserve click here.
Demarchelier Bistro, 471 Main Street, Greenport, 631-593-1650
Have Christmas dinner with a French flair at the family-run Demarchelier Bistro in Greenport, with classic dishes like duck confit, escargots and calf liver Bordelaise. Book a table on Resy for lunch or dinner.
Amy Zavatto is the Editor-in-Chief for southforker, northforker and Long Island Wine Press. She’s a wine, spirits, and food journalist whose work appears in Wine Enthusiast, InsideHook.com, MarthaStewart.com, the New York Post, Liquor.com, SevenFifty Daily, Imbibe, Men’s Journal and many others. She’s the author of The Big Book of Bourbon Cocktails, Prosecco Made Me Do It: 60 Seriously Sparkling Cocktails, Forager’s Cocktails: Botanical Mixology with Fresh, Natural Ingredients, and The Architecture of the Cocktail. She is a respected judge for the American Craft Spirits Association’s annual small-production spirits competition, and has moderated numerous panels on the topics of wine, spirits, cocktails, and regional foodways. She is the former Deputy Editor for the regional celebratory publications, Edible Manhattan and Edible Brooklyn, as well as the former Executive Director of the Long Island Merlot Alliance. She is a member of the New York chapter of the international organization of women leaders in food, wine, and spirits, Les Dames d’Escoffier. The proud daughter of a butcher, Amy is originally from Shelter Island, N.Y., where she developed a deep respect for the East End’s natural beauty and the importance of preserving and celebrating it and its people.
Dining and Cooking