Trying new things is the spice of life. Instead of spending your date night at the same old place again, why not shake it up with shared eats, drinks and a North Fork-style adventure?
Here are five date ideas to try out this weekend.
1. 1943 Pizza Bar and Brix & Rye
Pizza and beer just got a whole lot more romantic.
Start the evening by grabbing a specialty pie at 1943 Pizza Bar, locally beloved food truck Rolling in Dough’s brick-and-mortar location in Greenport. Hitting the town for the restaurant’s signature 13-inch crispy crust and choosing from an array of fresh toppings beats delivery any day.
After you eat, head next door to 1943 Pizza Bar’s sister drink lounge Brix & Rye. The downtown bar offers a sophisticated, yet laid-back, vibe and a variety of specialty cocktails, craft beers and fine wines.
(Note: You can also order your pizza at Brix & Rye.)
1943 Pizza Bar is located at 308D Main Street in Greenport.
Brix and Rye is located at 308A Main Street in Greenport.
2. CJ’s American Grill and a movie
An oldie but a goodie, dinner and a movie is always a great way to spend the evening with your love.
CJ’s American Grill recently opened in the Mattituck shopping plaza on Route 25, making movie night a great excuse to try it out — if you haven’t already.
Located just steps away from Mattituck Cinemas, the eatery offers a great menu of soups, salads and hearty sandwiches (we suggest the French dip). Plus, the wine list includes a selection of bottles from nearly every local vineyard, all for $25 each. Both you and your date are sure to find something you’ll enjoy. Agreeing on the movie? That one is up to you.
CJ’s American Grill and Mattituck Cinemas are both located in Mattituck Plaza at 10095 Main Road in Mattituck.
3.Vines & Hops and the Suffolk Theater
Featuring great upcoming acts like Chris Robinson Brotherhood and comedian Bobby Collins, the Suffolk Theater is just the ticket for a special date night in Riverhead. The renovated theater has a cash bar and a la carte menu available during many of their shows, but we suggest a pre-dinner drink at nearby tapas bar Vines & Hops Café and Tavern.
CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF UPCOMING SHOWS
The East Main Street café features a bevy of wines from the North Fork and California along with gourmet coffee and a variety of local craft beers — not to mention delicious plates like cheese platters, flatbreads, or, if you’re in the mood for dessert, chocolates and truffles.
4. Maple Tree BBQ and Wildwood State Park
Fall is the perfect time of year on the North Fork to throw on your hiking shoes and hit the trails for a romantic walk and picnic with your S.O.
Wildwood State Park in Wading River is home to beautiful fall foliage right now, not to mention miles of hiking trails.
We suggest grabbing a hearty and delicious sandwich from Riverhead’s Maple Tree BBQ to pack for your hike. When you work up an appetite, there are no shortages of beautiful spots in the park to sit back and take in the view while you chow down.
5. North Fork Tasting Room and L.I.V.
With dozens of wineries to choose from, wine tasting is frequently a go-to activity for North Fork dates. But in the spirit of trying something new, we recommend checking out the island’s only distillery. Long Island Vodka or L.I.V. specializes in making potato vodkas (including flavored spirits) and whiskeys at its Baiting Hollow tasting room. Tastings include a keepsake shot glass.
Keep your tasting-themed date going just down the road at North Fork Tasting Room, which is home to an extensive list of Long Island wine and craft beers and a gourmet specialty food menu. We think the steak nachos and crispy duck tacos are the way to go.
