The North Fork

 Long Island is shaped like a fish, with its head nestled against manhattan and its tail sticking out into the Atlantic.  

The East End of the island is very different from the suburban community where I live.  The South Fork is made up of glamorous beach resorts — the Hampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk.

The North Fork is more rural, farms and vineyards. 

Both forks are major tourist attractions in the summer.  We’ve been known to gather a group of friends on a summer’s day, drive out to the North Fork, and visit the tasting rooms of several vineyards. 

It’s off season now, but when a friend suggested we take a ride … I was sure a lot of places would be closed, but that we’d find plenty to do.

We stopped at several farm stands.  This one was the most picturesque,

I came home with Japanese radishes and cherry butter.  Now I just have to figure out how I’m going to use them.

We spent some time in Greenport.  It’s a lovely town, very picturesque.  Lots of old houses, mostly Victorians and New England saltboxes.

We visited one of our favorite vineyards, Duckwalk Vineyards.  Bought a few wines to take home.  

Our favorite lunch place, Modern Snack Bar, hasn’t opened for the season yet.  Instead, we decided to try a new place, Farm Country Kitchen.  Seating is on a deck with a view of the Peconic River.  This time of year the deck is tented so I didn’t take any photos.  The lunch menu has salads, sandwiches, etc.  Very nice.

Our last stop was O’Oldtymer Moonshine.

They make and sell whiskey. All kinds of whiskey.  Flavored whiskey.  My friend likes to cook with the flavored whiskies.  She bought a bottle of hot pepper whiskey — it’s flavored with honey and jalapeño peppers.

I grabbed a map of 5he North Fork while we were at the vineyard, because we are def going back this summer.