The Long Island Blog

Hidden away behind a fish market and completely invisible from the street, Matthew’s Seafood House Restaurant draws little attention. The entrance, located at the end of a narrow alleyway, is more intimidating than inviting, and so I’ve passed right by this restaurant many times without taking much notice.

It turns out I’ve been missing quite a bit.

Read my full review of Matthew’s.

This is Matthew's fish market. The restaurant is down the alley to the left.

The good and bad about what should be one of Fire Island’s better restaurants.

Read my full review of Bocce Beach here.

The Island Mermaid is one of Fire Island’s best restaurants. With the largest wine list and menu on Fire Island there’s something for everyone at prices typical for island dining. The service is good and the spacious deck offers beautiful sunset views of the Great South Bay.

Read more about Island Mermaid.

Island Mermaid as seen at night from the top deck of the ferry.

I had dinner at Island Mermaid on Fire Island last Thursday as part of a package deal called Taste of Fire Island. For $45/person you get dinner, ferry ride and parking.

The food and service were very good, the scenery was outstanding, and it was a nice break from mundane.

Read my full review of a Taste of Fire Island.

A lemon martini at sunset at Island Mermaid in Ocean Beach.

After a long day slaving away at the computer I went out for some dinner at Kingston’s Clam Bar. It was very windy yesterday and along the way I encountered this dust blowing across a soccer field.

There was so much dust in the air my eyes were burning.

For dinner I had clams and oysters on the half shell followed by a plate of fried calamari, and all washed down with a couple of pints of Paulaner hefe-weizen, a summertime favorite beer.  (Sorry no pictures of dinner.)

After dinner I noticed the planet Venus shining brilliantly in the western sky. The picture just doesn’t do the scene justice, but I hope you get the idea of how beautiful it was.

Venus is the very bright “star” in the picture above. You can see the yellow glow of Kingston’s dining room to the right.

Black Forest Brew Haus serves up some mighty good German and American cuisine in a friendly and rustic atmosphere. Top that off with a beer from their in-house micro brewery and you’ve got yourself a worthy destination for lunch or dinner.

Continue reading about Black Forest Brew Haus

How lucky am I that some of my favorite beer is made right here on Long Island, practically in my own backyard?

Kingston’s reminds me of the some of the rough-hewn local eateries in Montauk Point. There’s nothing fancy here. The utensils and plates are plastic, and the dress code is as easy as it gets.

Check it out soon because unless the weather gets better they’re closing for the season on September 22.

Read my full review of Kingston’s Clam Bar

Sea scallops are versatile, easy to prepare, and always in season.

I’ve added a new page to my website that demystifies this favorite Long Island seafood with everything you need to know about buying, preparing, and cooking them. There’s video too!

Image below: The only way to get sea scallops with the roe is to buy them live and shuck them yourself.

Learn more about Sea Scallops.

Just when you thought the town of Greenport couldn’t get any cooler someone goes and starts a brewery.

I had heard about Greenport Harbor Brewing Company but didn’t think it was open yet. I drove by last weekend to see how things were coming and, well, see for yourself:

Right next to the jail behind Sweet Indulgences

The tasting room

In the tasting room you can taste beer, and buy pint glasses, tee shirts, bumper stickers…

First impressions: The beer (3 ales the day I was there) is excellent, and co-founder Richard Vandenburgh (in the doorway above) is an enthusiastic and gracious host. I expect good things to come.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company
234 Carpenter Street
631-477-6681