Fogbow

The Hamptons in the summer is like Midtown Manhattan on New Year’s Eve: a good idea if you like giant clusters of bodies and getting ripped off. A “local” Hamptons lobster roll will set you back $45, and the August beach crowds recall the coziness of Times Square.

But there’s another kind of summer weekend out there, and it’s not that far off. Actually, exactly as far as the Hamptons: just two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Manhattan, Long Island’s less-travelled North Fork (the Hamptons makes up the South Fork) has become the cooler peninsula. At various times dubbed the Hamptons’ “country cousin” and the “Brooklyn of Long Island,” it’s known by the easy-going locals as NoFo. Chill holidaymakers are drawn to the former farmland’s waterfront wineries, tucked-away beaches, boutiquey design stores and roadside farm stands. Even with a slew of upscale new openings, the North Fork has managed to maintain a vibe that’s unapologetically relaxed.

In June, François Payard, a leading light in New York’s French food scene, opened the Southold Social, an intimate shingled house that serves the most killer steak frites on the peninsula. Payard also oversees Southold General down the road, a Manhattanite-friendly café serving flaky almond croissants, farm-fresh salads and cold brew on tap. North Fork Table & Inn, from Michelin-starred John Fraser, is the other big hitter in town. It underwent a total renovation in 2021 and now offers a tantalising menu of oysters, caviar, and catches of the day – and bookable personal bonfires for making s’mores.

But food is not the point of the North Fork: alcohol is. While the South Fork has a mere three wineries, the North Fork has close to 50, and about a dozen breweries. The cheaper real estate made it the better peninsula for planting fields of grapes – almost all French – back in the day. North Fork wineries like to boast that they’re on the same latitude as Bordeaux, producing reds that give their French counterparts a run for their money.

In June, journalist Dan Abrams opened Ev&Em Vineyards, a swish Napa-esque spot with sun-drenched decks where guests can taste its flagship wines while drinking in the sprawling views. Another standout is Sparkling Pointe, New York’s only dedicated sparkling vineyard, specialising in Méthode Champenoise. You can sip brut dating back to 2013 – medieval times by Long Island wine standards.

pipistrelle wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:44 pm I'd dig visiting the country cousin, and I've been to Luray briefly for the cavern (and thought it funny and sad simultaneously that you got to it through the gift shop). I'm having a vague recollection there may have been an auto museum there.

Maybenaut wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:32 pm This article brings to mind the two things those of us who live in tourist areas worry about:

1. No one will show up.
2. Everyone will show up.

Maybenaut wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 12:32 pm This article brings to mind the two things those of us who live in tourist areas worry about:

1. No one will show up.
2. Everyone will show up.

northland10 wrote: ↑Sat May 11, 2024 6:29 pm I miss living up north. We had three seasons, winter, tourist, and deer. The deer were generally smarter than the tourists.

Earlier this year, Fred Ruvolo said he didn’t want too many people to know that he would be closing the Village Cobbler Shoppe on Griffing Avenue on June 29. He feared there would be a last minute deluge of customers.

But that plan didn’t pan out.

“It’s out,” Mr. Ruvolo said Saturday, as he held a cardboard box packed with nine pairs of shoes that a customer dropped off earlier in the day.

“The word has been getting out and a lot of people are upset,” Mr. Ruvolo said, adding that he preferred to deliver the news to customers in person rather than hanging up a sign.

“It’s not an easy thing for me to retire,” he said. “I’ve spent my entire adult life here. This has been my community, and the place where all my friends are. I have a lot of good memories.”

Mr. Ruvolo is 73 years old and his business has been in Riverhead for 53 years. He said his fingers are starting to hurt from working so much.

Mr. Ruvolo has drawn customers from all over Long Island. He gets good reviews online, too.

AndyinPA wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 11:47 am Anyone over 65, and others, can get another Covid vaccine now. I got mine last week. I think I read only 3 percent of those eligible have received the most recent one.

Volkonski wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:24 am

A bit to the west a large commercial size mower is making a huge noise first thing in the morning.