From Faith: It’s remarkably easy to drive onto the ferry in Bridgeport or New London, for a day trip to The North Fork of Long Island, which reminds me of unspoiled Sonoma in the old days.
The Cross Sound ferry ride is 90 minutes of pure pleasure, to start, and then it’s wine country, old beach towns and charming communities. The wineries now exist on what were potato farms, and some potato farms are now growing vegetables and fruit, flooding farmers markets.
If you go, here are some favorite spots. (Previously I’ve spoken of Vine Street, 18 Bay and Grana restaurants in the North Fork, so feel free to search those stories here.)
1. In Greenport, an old fashioned beach town, the gelati at a restaurant and bar called D’Latte downtown are a must. Excellent Friday night music, too.
2. Greenport downtown will soon see the return of a favorite restaurant owner, Dennis McDermott, who plans to open American Beech in July, featuring coastline cuisine. He started and sold a local favorite called Frisky Oyster before heading to Riverhead where he had The Riverhead Project Restaurant. He knows what he’s doing. The word is that many in The Hamptons are tired of the helicopter traffic and are heading for The North Fork.
3. There are many wineries to try, and they make progress. A few to sample on your first trip include Lenz, One Woman, Croteaux (roses) and Macari. Many more on your second trip.
4. When you arrive in Mattituck, go to Love Lane, and check out the charming shops, including the cheese store and the lemon ricotta pancakes at Love Lane Kitchen.
