TEATIME Looking for a reprieve from the wineries? Be sure to book an afternoon tea at Special Effects Salon & Tea House in Greenport, a perfect stop for a lady’s lunch, spa day, or a quick tea or coffee break. The mother and daughter team of Debbie and Victoria Schade are continuing to evolve their offering at the salon and tea house with the addition of a permanent tea stand. Visitors can swing by for a casual cup of tea or coffee and spend time outdoors playing board games or snagging the perfect East End photo op. In addition to serving a formal high tea six days a week, Special Effects offers exclusive private tea parties for small groups outdoors. In addition, there are curated art shows every other Thursday throughout the summer, complete with live music.
STAY
Aqua Beach
While the North Fork is well known for its quaint B&B scene, a few boutique hotels offer a wonderful alternative for lodging. The Aqua Beach Hotel by American Beech Group is a refurbished motel transformed into a smallscale resort designed by Alex Vinash. This Aquebogue-based hotel has recently unveiled its two beachfront suites with oversized, luxurious bathtubs. Guests of the hotel have access to the private beach as well as the property’s dockside lawn and garden, complete with a lounge area, beach chaises, hammocks, and croquet. Another great option is the Lin Beach House in Greenport that offers chic, retrofitted rooms within an old Victorian home in the heart of the North Fork.
PACK A PICNIC Another great thing to do while visiting the North Fork is to have a leisurely summer picnic. Whether on a beach, boat or in a backyard, many places create custom, local experiences. A North Fork Affair offers full lunch and dinner spreads (paired with wine and dessert) that are ready for at-home, boat, or beach picnic outings. Another great option is Lombardi’s Love Lane Market in Mattituck, where caterer Lauren Lombardi can whip up everything from meat and cheese platters to custom meals like a decadent, gourmet macaroni, and cheese. And tucked right around the corner from Lombardi’s is Agora The Little Greek Market. Be sure to pepper your picnic basket with homemade, ready-to-eat spanakopita, imported cheeses and olives, bite-sized baklava, and other Greek baked goods. Once that basket is complete, head to one of the North Fork’s countless beaches (Kenney’s or South Harbor, to name only a few) and breathe in the stillness and immeasurable beauty of the land and the sea. If time allows, stay to watch the sunset. You’ll thank me later. For more information on Long Island’s North Fork, visit discoverlongisland.com. • 44 | OUR CITY, YOUR LIFE | JUNE 2021
Lombardi’s LoveLane Market
