A Guide to the North Fork This November

by Katherine Andrianas

Fill your weekends up by heading out east to enjoy all the things that excite you. Home to farm stands, farmer’s markets, casual and fine dining, quaint little towns, local wineries and breweries, it makes the North Fork feel like a whole world away. So, whether it involves stopping to get a holiday pie, finding a place to sip on seasonal beer or simply trying a new restaurant, we’ve got it all covered! The North Fork offers plenty of fun for the entire family.

Stop and Get a Pie
Open seven days a week, a pit-stop to Briermere Farms is a must for those heading out east. They have every pie imaginable: pumpkin, apple, blueberry, peach, strawberry-rhubarb, raspberry-peach, apple crisp, blueberry crisp, raspberry cream, chocolate cream…and the list goes on. You can also find homemade cookies by the bag, plus a multitude of other delicious baked goods items (pumpkin squares, banana nut bread, jams, jellies, syrups, etc.).

Try a New Restaurant
New this year, is the North Fork Roadhouse, located right on Sound Avenue in Mattituck. Since their first day open, they have drawn a huge
crowd, both locals and tourists alike. While their menu covers it all, they are highly known for their ribs, smoked beef brisket, wings, sandwiches and unique (short rib & brisket blended) burgers. As the North Fork place to drink and eat, they have 30 different beers on tap, a large variety by the can and a cocktail menu worth checking out.

View the Fall Foliage
Just north of Route 25 in Laurel, you’ll find Laurel Lake Preserve. Home to a 30-acre and 45-foot-deep kettle (aka Laurel Lake), it was formed over 10,000 years ago by a large glacier. A great place for hiking, this 480-acre preserve features 14 miles of well-groomed nature trails, both long and short. It’s a favorite on the North Fork, providing beautiful scenery and an abundance of wildlife: otters, snapping turtles, foxes and deer.

Sip on Seasonal Beer
As the seasons change, so do the taps at the North Fork breweries. I mean…who doesn’t love a fall flavored beer paired with a cinnamon sugar rim around the glass? A few on the list to try are: Long Ireland Beer Company’s – Oktoberfest or Pumpkin Ale, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s – Leaf Pile Ale, Jamesport Farm Brewery’s – Sugar Skull Pumpkin and North Fork Brewing Company’s – Butternut the Hutt (pumpkin/yam beer).

Stop at a Winery
We all know, when you head out east, the countless wineries can often be overwhelming. No matter what it is you prefer – tasty reds, whites, rosés, or sparkling, a few favorite spots include Macari, Palmer, Pellegrini, Pugliese, Raphael, RGNY (former Martha Clara) and Sparkling Pointe. From fine wine, live entertainment, tastings and tours, each winery provides the perfect laid-back escape for friends and family. After all, growing and crafting quality wines is what the North Fork is known for!

Stroll Through the Village of Greenport
Even on its off season, Greenport is a great place to escape for the day or weekend. Its unique shops, abundance of farm-to-table restaurants,
excellent water views and scenic country roads, makes it one of the most charming and historic communities on the East End. Craving a good bite? A few remarkable places worth trying include: 1943 Pizza Bar, Lucharito’s Mexican Restaurant, Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market and Olive Branch Restaurant & Bar.