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Stirling Sake owner and sake sommelier Yuki Mori behind the bar at his Greenport restaurant. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

From high-end sushi to takeout Greek gyros, the North Fork saw an explosion of new food and drink options in 2015.

These new businesses, like small-batch coffee roaster North Fork Roasting Co. or artisanal candy maker North Fork Chocolate Co., have enriched the culinary culture of the East End.

And we’re glad they are here.

Here are 23 new businesses that opened in 2015, presented in no particular order.

Beth Pike, pictured here with son Matt Ianno, will soon open Deep Water Bar and Grille in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Beth Pike, pictured here with son Matt Ianno, opened Deep Water Bar and Grille in Greenport in May. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Deep Water Bar and Grille, Greenport

Opened in May, this new Front Street restaurant serves up New American cuisine with a focus on seafood. Enjoy the views of Greenport Harbor from “Beth’s Upper Deck.”

Stirling Sake owner and sake sommelier Yuki Mori behind the bar at his Greenport restaurant. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Stirling Sake owner and sake sommelier Yuki Mori behind the bar at his Greenport restaurant. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Stirling Sake, Greenport

Yuki Mori was the first person to bring high-end sushi and sake tasting to eastern Long Island when he opened Stirling Sake last September. In addition to the traditional menu, chef Akio Kon offers a $65 tasting option that includes edamame, ceviche seared tuna with yuzu miso, seven sushi pieces of the chef’s choosing and a California roll, all capped off with green tea matcha gelato.

American Beech in Greenport received a glowing write-up from the New York Times. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
American Beech in Greenport received a glowing write-up from the New York Times. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

American Beech, Greenport

American Beech, a New American restaurant with restaurateur Dennis McDermott and chef Arielle Ferrara at the helm, has received favorable reviews from both the New York Times and Newsday since opening its doors in late summer. With a gray and white interior, an outdoor and indoor fireplace and big fluffy pillows, the new restaurants has a cozy modern coastal vibe.

Pork Huaraches at Lucharitos. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Pork Huaraches at Lucharitos. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

The all new Lucharitos, Greenport

It didn’t take long for hungry patrons to start filling the seats inside Lucharitos after the renovated eatery opened its doors for the first time since March in May. The Main Street bar and restaurant had tripled its kitchen space and now has the ability to serve 50 customers at tables and another 21 at a new bar. That’s compared to the 16 it could previously seat at tables and the 12 it could fit at the bar.

Two empanadas with salsa verde sauce (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
Two empanadas with salsa verde sauce (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Good Food, Mattituck

Pastries and empanadas. It sounds like a match made in food heaven, but it has become a reality for two food specialists, Alison Katz and Luchi Masliah, who pooled their resources to open Good Food in Mattituck in June.

Inside PeraBell in Riverhead. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Inside PeraBell in Riverhead. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

PeraBell Food Bar, Riverhead

The offerings from a 7,000 pound imported pizza oven, baked mac and cheese and delicious burgers are among the reasons to visit the new PeraBell Food Bar in Riverhead, which opened last summer.

“Our cuisine is American, definitely, but we’re all over the place,” owner John Peragine told us. “We don’t have any limits.”

Cookies and cream pancakes at Sonoma Grill in Riverhead. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Cookies and cream pancakes at Sonoma Grill East in Riverhead. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Sonoma Grill East, Riverhead

Sonoma Grill East Riverhead, which opened in late August, is serving up wraps, pastas and brick-oven pizza inside the former East Main Street bank building that most recently housed the upscale restaurant the Riverhead Project.

But on a recent visit, the real stars were the eatery’s brunch offerings, which include cookies and cream pancakes ($12, pictured above) and Nutella crepes with a house-made filling ($9).

Industry Standard in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Industry Standard in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Industry Standard, Greenport

Industry Standard, a craft beer and small bites dining destination with a mission of catering to locals and restaurant staffers, opened its doors in Greenport last month.  Chef Greg Ling, the first executive chef at The Riverhead Project and formerly of The Frisky Oyster and now-shuttered Main, oversees the kitchen.

Jess Dunne and Jennilee Morris inside North Fork Roasting Co. in Southold. (Credit: David Benthal Photography)
Jess Dunne and Jennilee Morris inside North Fork Roasting Co. in Southold. (Credit: David Benthal Photography)

North Fork Roasting Co., Southold

Upon walking into North Fork Roasting Co.’s new Southold coffee house, it’s a toss-up what will grab your attention first: the complex aromas emanating from the artisanal brews or the undeniable fact that its owners have style. The new store, which was three years in the making for owners Jess Dunne and Jennilee Morris, officially opened its doors on Feb. 14.

Assorted chocolates at North Fork Chocolate Company. (Credit: Vera Chinese photo)
Assorted chocolates at North Fork Chocolate Company. (Credit: Vera Chinese photo)

North Fork Chocolate Co., Aquebogue

North Fork Chocolate Co. began selling delicious, locally sourced candies out of its Aquebogue storefront in February. Ann Corley and chef Steve Amaral, the co-owners of the company, initially made their chocolates and pastries at the Calverton Business Incubator at Stony Brook University, though they now make their products on site.

Elias and Luis Martinez of the new Agave Grill and Cantina. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Elias and Luis Martinez of the new Agave Grill and Cantina. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Agave Grill and Cantina, Greenport

Mexican restaurant Agave Grill and Cantina, which opened on Greenport’s Front Street in December, is one of the region’s newest eateries. Expect dishes from the owners’  native Puebla, Mexico, like pollo poblano in a mole sauce ($18) and chile relleno, a poblano pepper stuffed with queso fresco, corn and cilantro and wrapped in fried egg whites ($8 for an appetizer).

Mazi Restaurant in Riverhead. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
Mazi Restaurant in Riverhead. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Mazi, Riverhead

The wooden bar runs nearly the entire length of the restaurant. An exposed brick wall, adorned with black iron sconces, overlooks the bar, while large wooden shelves hold glasses and bottles. 

All that iron, brick and wood creates an industrial, hard look. That’s no accident. 

“It represents strength,” said John Mantzopoulos, who opened his re-incarnated restaurant, Mazi, in Riverhead in September. The new eatery replaced Athens Grill which was destroyed in a 2013 fire. “We wanted to come back strong. The fire affected me, but it didn’t affect me where it put me out.”

The 12-foot-long communal tapas table at Pure North Fork. (Credit: Chris Lisinski)
The 12-foot-long communal tapas table at Pure North Fork. (Credit: Chris Lisinski)

Pure North Fork, Wading River

Pure North Fork, a “craft bistro” emphasizing local ingredients and a casual atmosphere, opened at Great Rock Golf Course in October.

“There’s such a great plethora of produce and ingredients available to us right at our backdoor,” said general manager Brian Curtin. “We would be silly not to use them. You don’t get any fresher than ordering from right down the street.”

Sabrosa Mexican Grill’s interior is spacious with plenty of seating. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
Sabrosa Mexican Grill’s interior is spacious with plenty of seating.
(Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Sabrosa Grill, Riverhead

Healthy fast food may sound like an oxymoron, but that’s what Sabrosa Mexican Grill is all about. The Chipotle-style restaurant opened in Riverhead in August, serving up “healthier” versions of Mexican favorites like burritos, tacos, quesadillas and salads.

Gelen Giron, Gilberto Leon and Emma Rodriguez of Tikal 1. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Gelen Giron, Gilberto Leon and Emma Rodriguez of Tikal 1. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Tikal 1, Greenport

Mexican cuisine meets Guatemalan spice at this Greenport eatery which opened in January. The restaurant was named in honor of the ancient city of Tikal, the site of one of the largest Mayan ruins in Guatemala.

The menu includes Mexican favorites like tacos and empanadas, but also Guatemalean fare like chicken pepian, which is chicken boiled then lightly fried and served in a rich green sauce.

The exterior of Vue Restaurant on Shelter Island. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
The exterior of Vue Restaurant on Shelter Island. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Vue Restaurant and Bar, Shelter Island

Situated on “Goat Hill,” one of the highest points on Shelter Island, this new eatery opened at The Shelter Island Country Club this spring. With chef Tom Ritzler at the helm, the menu offers moderately priced seafood, chicken and pasta dishes.

Shelter Island House. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
Shelter Island House. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

The Tavern, Shelter Island

The Shelter Island House’s new restaurant, The Tavern, offers a full bar, as well as indoor and outdoor dining. Ownership of the restaurant is shared between sisters Suzanne Walsh and Janet Rogler, in partnership with Avi Bevilacqua and Keith Bavaro of Salt Waterfront Bar and Grill.

Snug Booths line an entire wall of the restaurant (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
Snug Booths line an entire wall of the restaurant
(Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Red Maple, Shelter Island

Whether you want a roaring fireplace on a cold night or to enjoy a fruity cocktail in August, this new Shelter Island restaurant aims to be a go-to spot for both the flip-flop and wool sock seasons.

Located on the ground floor of the Chequit Inn, the much-anticipated 150-seat restaurant and bar is open for dinner.

Check out the fall menu here.

North Fork Smoked Fish Co. in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
North Fork Smoked Fish Co. in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

North Fork Smoked Fish Co., Greenport

Blue fish pâté and smoked salmon are among the offerings at the new North Fork Smoked Fish Co. storefront. Formerly only available at farmers markets, online and at select retail locations, owner Phil Karlin III now sells his savory creations at this Greenport location.

Nick DeCillis shows off the fly wheel slicer at the soon-to-open Basso in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Nick DeCillis shows off the fly wheel slicer at the soon-to-open Basso in Greenport. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Basso, Greenport

The new Basso Italian market is a place where you can sit with a glass of wine and enjoy a tray of savory cured meat.

“It’s old-fashioned cicchetie,” owner Nick DeCillis of Mattituck told us. “But at the same time, it’s a market place. You can buy pasta, olive oil, jarred olives and more.”

The Smore crepe, including chocolate, marshmellows and ground graham crackers. (Credit: Paul Squire)
The Smore crepe, including chocolate, marshmellows and ground graham crackers. (Credit: Paul Squire)

My Creperie, Wading River

My creperie has been serving a mix of sweet and savory crepes since it opened in downtown Wading River in June.

But while there are more exotic crepes like a roast beef option with blue cheese and fresh spinach, the sweet options are the restaurant’s specialty, owner Robert Nasta said. The decadent Smores crepe is a popular choice.

Toppings at Sweet Tart in Riverhead include fresh fruit and popping bobas, which are shaped like bubbles and filled with fruit juice. (Credit: Rachel Young)
Toppings at Sweet Tart in Riverhead include fresh fruit and popping bobas, which are shaped like bubbles and filled with fruit juice. (Credit: Rachel Young)

Sweet Tart, Riverhead

Frozen yogurt shop Sweet Tart quietly opened on Riverhead’s East Main Street in March.

If you like going heavy on toppings then you’ll love filling a 16- or 20-ounce cup at Sweet Tart, which offers 12 flavors of frozen yogurt including cherry limeade sorbet (an unofficial Northforker favorite), sea salt caramel pretzel and Tahitian vanilla.

A flight of teas at Vitale A Tea (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
A flight of teas at Vitale A Tea (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)

Vital A Tea, Riverhead

Vital A Tea, which offers 30 teas including loose teas and mixes all priced per pound, opened in Riverhead in June. Based on the concept of a wine tasting bar, the café also offers seating where customers can enjoy a pot of hot fresh brewed tea, sip cold iced teas or try flights of different varieties.

Tony Medina and Joanne Casonas outside Agora The Little Greek Market. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Tony Medina and Joanne Casonas outside Agora The Little Greek Market. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Agora, Mattituck

Catering to the residents of Mattituck’s vibrant Greek community as well as Greek transplants on the North Fork, Agora the little Greek market opened in June.

The market offers spinach pies, Greek desserts, olives, cheeses like kasseri and manouri — all rare commodities on the North Fork — and more.

Spinach pie from Greek Bites grill and café. (Credit: Vera Chinese)
Spinach pie from Greek Bites grill and café. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

Greek Bites, Mattituck

We are feeling torn over what to mention first when writing about lunch at Greek Bites Grill and Café in Mattituck. The perfect Greek salad dressing? Or the yummy homemade spinach pie.

The Mattituck eatery, which opened in January, is an offshoot of a Center Moriches takeout spot of the same name. It serves up tasty homemade Greek food for eat-in or takeout.

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