“What’s your favorite?”
Any time I’ve been asked that question about anything, I end up rattling off four or five favorites of any given thing — restaurants, places to visit, shops — because I can rarely just pick one. That was certainly a concern when tasked with building our annual Best of the North Fork list this year. We live in a community that is bursting with creative, brilliant and unique things to do, restaurants to try, wines to taste…the list goes on. But thanks to a great collaborative effort between the Northforker team, I think this year’s list represents a large swath of the community’s picks.
So, welcome to our annual Best of the North Fork issue, where we eat, drink, live and breathe the most exceptional people, places and things in Riverhead, Southold, Shelter Island and everywhere in between! Want to know where to get the best lobster roll? How about where to get fit? The Northforker team has gone back and forth for months to make sure the list of honorees is fair, balanced and comprehensive. If you’ve been overwhelmed by the sheer number of restaurants in the area, or were unsure where to stay or what to do with your kids, we’ve got you covered.
This contest works a little differently than other “best” contests out there. For one, every business or person you see here is a winner — there are five picks per category, and they are all considered the Best of the North Fork. The staff has highlighted some personal favorites and we’ve delved a little deeper to learn more about some of them, but if it’s listed in these pages, it’s a winner. And if you don’t see your favorite listed here, that’s not because they don’t deserve it — we just stick to five winners per category. Otherwise, this issue would never end!
We’re so very lucky to live in a community that is sustained by home-grown, grassroots restaurants, shops and services. The Best of the North Fork is intended to highlight local businesses and celebrate what our region has to offer, but the list also shows how important small business is to our community. Forbes reports that nearly half of all U.S. employees work for small businesses, and on the North Fork, that statistic is likely even larger. Small businesses have also added nearly 13 million jobs to our country over the last 25 years. Sure, we all use the convenience of big box stores or restaurant chains at times, but small businesses aren’t just transactional; they are often your neighbors and your friends. They inspire us and delight us. They’re a vital part of the heart of our communities here.
And while we’re proud of our selections and honored to be able to bestow these “Best of” honors, we also know that our readers are hugely important and we want to know what you think! Our Readers’ Choice Awards lets the community choose a favorite from this year’s honorees. Voting opens on Friday, July 19, at northforker.com and runs for a week. Make sure your voice is heard!
Of course, this issue isn’t only about the Best of the North Fork. Victoria Caruso visited The Halyard restaurant in Greenport to try out their mouth-watering brunch menu. Ana Borruto went shopping at Verderber Nursery & Garden Center in Aquebogue and came across some great finds. Amy Zavatto got to know Léon 1909 owner Valerie Mnuchin and her favorite things around Shelter Island. I spoke to Greenport’s Lily Dougherty-Johnson about the ever-popular Dances in Mitchell Park, which return this month, and spent some time in the lovely village of Stony Brook, which has a surprisingly bustling arts scene.
As we continue the Best of the North Fork tradition, I hope you’ll take part in our reader’s choice competition and continue to patronize the many great small businesses of the North Fork, whether or not they are featured in these pages. And don’t forget to vote at northforker.com!
