NORTH FORK SUMMER KICK-OFF

Fun Stuff To Do And New Places To Go By Alice Phillips

It’s Memorial Day in a few short days and the North Fork is poised for a wonderful 2023 summer season! There’s so much to do — take in these fun activities over the next few weekends! Also on tap: the opening of new eateries and activity spaces!

Mugs On Main

33 East Main Street, Riverhead mugsonmain.com

Attention all North Fork coffee lovers! Mugs on Main is serving up coffee your way! Founded by Kasandra Watkins and Jeff Schaeffer (who opened Peconic County Brewing down the street in 2021), sip your latte at the bar overlooking Main Street, stretch out on a comfy couch or catch some rays with your preferred caffeine choice on the spacious back deck overlooking the Peconic River. The shop offers its signature blend of coffee, roasted to specification and perfection by artisans in Brooklyn. And there’s food too — hot breakfast and egg dishes, homemade pastries, and muffins as well as soups and sandwiches for lunch.

Mattituck Movie Theater

AXE & SMASH THROWING LOUNGE PAINT SMASHING

Mattituck Shopping Center

10095 Main Road, Mattituck

In a bold move, the owners of local NoFo fave Lucharito’s have taken over the movie theatre in Mattituck to create a multi-use family fun center. Try your hand at axethrowing at Axe & Smash (axesmashli.com) while sipping on margaritas and nibbling on chips and queso from the concession stand operated by Lucharito’s. Looking for a less dangerous way to spend an afternoon with your young children? Find your inner artist with paint smashing! Choose different tools and colors to create your unique masterpiece to take home with you. Wrap up your outing by catching a classic or second-run movie in Theater One or grabbing a bite to eat at the newly expanded Lucharito’s Taqueria next door, which has been renovated to feature a full bar, additional seating, and new menu offerings.

MINNOW AT THE GALLEY HO RESTAURANT

650 1st Street, New Suffolk minnowrestaurant.com

— with an early summer opening planned. Founder Andrea Tese’s goal is to operate a fully sustainable and ecologically low-impact restaurant; to this end, rumour has it that the décor will include found and reclaimed items from in and around the North Fork — from wood paneling to mismatched silverware. To-go containers will be glass and returnable to the restaurant after use. Chef Cheo Avila is creating a locally sourced menu which will highlight fish native to the East End and not caught in traps or nets, which are environmentally unsound.

LITTLE FISH

50 North Sea Drive, Southold littlefishnofo.com

You need to know where to go to find Little Fish. Tucked away at a beautiful spot just up the road from Kenney’s Beach, Little Fish serves “coastal cuisine” just steps away from the beautiful Long Island Sound. Indoor seating is by reservation only; outdoor seating is first come, first served. Dinner is served 5pm - 9pm, Thursday through Sunday; Lunch is walk-in only, 12pm - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday.

HOTEL MORAINE

62005 County Rd. 48, Greenport hotelmoraine.com

Perched on a gorgeous promontory overlooking the Sound, Hotel Moraine is the latest boutique hotel to arrive on the North Fork. Geared towards families, this luxury resort features fireplaces, private terraces, and adjoining rooms. Go for a swim in the Sound or relax by the heated pool. Food and beverages available; pets are welcome. Look for the grand opening early summer.

THE TREATERY

1564 Main Road, Jamesport thetreateryli.com

If you’ve got a hankering for something sweet, drop by The Treatery for cakesicles, edible cookie dough, cupcakes, cookies (including French macarons!), pies, cakes, and all sorts of yummies!! The Treatery has a mobile outpost too — a 1964 Shasta Airflyte Camper, turned mobile sweet shop which you can book for your special event.

NORTH FORK APOTHECARY

37070 Main Road, Cutchogue northforkapothecary.com

North Fork Apothecary carries a carefully curated collection of apparel, gifts, home goods and beauty products evoking that timeless, NoFo vibe and committed to high quality and fair trade. Looking for that special gift? How about candles scented for and named after your favorite NoFo places? Try Sunset Bonfire on Kenney’s Beach, Sunrise on Nassau Point or Halcyon Days at New Suffolk Beach.