Sure the North Fork slows down a bit during the offseason, but winter is no longer the sleepy season that it once was.
Here are 10 North Fork happenings you’ll want to add to your calendar for January.
New Year’s Day Brunch at The Halyard
Kick off 2020 with brunch at The Halyard. The waterfront restaurant is offering a brunch buffet from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $35 per person, $18 for 12 and under. Enjoy an interactive omelet station, ham carving station, traditional breakfast items, drink specials and more. Make last-minute reservations now at thehalyardgreenport.com.
Catch a show at the Greenport movie theater
Greenport’s Village Cinema is open during the winter once again. The Saturday Film Series, curated by Manhattan Film Institute, runs from Jan. 11 through May 9 and showcases award-winning movies and classic cinema for kids and adults. On Saturday, Jan. 11 “Jumanji” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. and “Big Night” will be screened at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 18 “Wolf Children” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. and “Sideways” will be played at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Jan. 25 “Enchanted” will be shown at 6:30 p.m. and “Serpico” will be played at 7 p.m. All of the screenings will be presented free of charge this winter, though donations are requested. For the full schedule, visit manhattanfilminstitute.com.
Grace & Grit’s food pop-ups return
If you’ve missed out on Grace & Grit’s popular pop-up nights in the past, January is the time to go. The catering company is offering a different pop-up each weekend throughout January at their storefront located at 55750 Main Road in Southold. Indian food will be the first pop-up of the month on Friday, Jan. 3 and Saturday, Jan. 4 beginning at noon. Menu items include chicken Tikka ($15), curried chickpeas ($13), and spicy smokey eggplant ($13), all served with rice. Ramen, burger and Vietnamese food pop-ups will also take place in January. Pro tip: These pop-ups sell out fast so be sure to get there early.
Go ice skating in Mitchell Park
Greenport’s ice rink at Mitchell Park is a North Fork staple during the winter. Weather permitting, the rink is open to the public every day, Monday-Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission ranges from $3 to $10 and skate rentals are $5 per person. We recommend family night Fridays which are from 5:30 to 9 p.m. and are $7 per person, including rentals. More details at villageofgreenport.org.
aMano & McCall wine pairing dinner
Tom Schaudel and McCall Vineyards present an evening of Italian food and Long Island wines with their wine pairing dinner at aMano on Sunday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m. There will be a reception followed by a 5-course dinner including items such as pan-seared North Atlantic scallops served Scampi-style paired with McCall’s 2016 Chardonnay; a thyme-curred Crescent Farm duck breast paired with McCall’s 2014 Pinot Noir “Reserve” and more. Tickets are $85 per person and reservations should be made in advance. Visit amanorestaurant.com to see the full wine pairing dinner menu.
Watch Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks perform at Green Hill Kitchen
Get your winter fix of live music at Green Hill Kitchen’s upstairs lounge. Watch Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks take the stage on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per person and includes one drink ticket. For details visit greenhillny.com.
Stargaze at Custer Institute & Observatory
Established in 1927, Custer Institute, located on Main Bayview Road in Southold, is Long Island’s oldest public observatory and is open to the public every Saturday evening from 7 p.m. until midnight. Enjoy a tour of the facilities and view the winter night sky through the institute’s telescopes. A donation of $5 per adult and $3 per child is suggested. For more information visit, custerobservatory.org.
Mattitaco and North Fork Brewing Co. pairing dinner
Tacos and beer: is there a better pairing? We think not. Join Mattitaco and North Fork Brewing Co. on Friday, Jan. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m. for a 6-course taco and beer pairing dinner held at North Fork Brewing Co.’s tasting room in Riverhead. Tickets are $65 per person and the family-style dinner will offer items such as a mini-taco trio including Peconic Escargot, Harvest Moon Shellfish Co. fried wild oyster and sage butter-poached lobster claw. Reserve your spot and view the full menu on Facebook.
Warm-up with Hot Yoga for a cause at Aura Yoga
Aura Yoga on Pike Street in Mattituck is offering donation-based, hour-long hot yoga classes as a part of their Karma Yoga Project, which supports a different local charity each month. Every Thursday in January from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. attend a hot fusion express yoga class led by Colleen. A suggested donation of $10 or dog, cat or rabbit food, leashes, paper towels, gently used blankets, towels and sheets are welcomed and will support local animal shelters. For more details and to book your session, visit their website aurayoga.studio.
Friday night music at Lieb Cellars
Lieb Cellars’ Friday night music series continues throughout January with a great lineup of local musicians. On Friday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. sip wine and listen to tunes from Jon Divello, Julia King, The Second Hands, and Robin James. Table reservations are recommended and can be made via the vineyard’s website liebcellars.com.