Executive chef and chocolatier Steven Amaral and his partner, Ann Corley, have run North Fork Chocolate Company since 2012. The business was born at the Stony Brook University Food Business Incubator and has grown to two locations: one on the Main Road in Mattituck (8700 Main Road, Mattituck, 631-779-2963), and one on East Main Street in Riverhead (309 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-599-4944). Both shops carry handmade chocolate, organic coffee and homemade Belgian waffles and ice cream. The Riverhead location also houses a cafe serving a plant-based seasonal menu with many vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Amaral, who is a graduate of Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts and who has worked in Spain, Italy, France, and Hawaii, also helms Black Tie Caterers. A follower of a plant-based diet, he uses fresh, organic ingredients from local producers to handcraft his chocolate and his menus, using local fruits, vegetables, cream, mushrooms, sea salt, herbs, honey, spice, wine and spirits.
Here are a few of this busy chef’s favorite things:
Favorite restaurant Il Giardino (739 Main Road, Aquebogue, 631-779-3900). It’s Sicilian, and they accommodate vegans. I like Sicilian food, it’s very vegetable-forward.
Favorite local food ingredient It’s so seasonal! Probably corn and tomatoes — you can’t beat them in the summer.
Favorite place to take visitors We like to go vineyard hopping, visit Greenport or take the ferry to Shelter Island.
Favorite vineyard Lenz, Pellegrini, and Pindar (Lenz Winery, 38355 Main Road, Peconic, 631-734-6010; Pellegrini Vineyards, 23005 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-4111; Pindar Vineyards, 37645 Main Road, Peconic, 631-734-6200). I especially like the Blueberry Port at Duck Walk (Duck Walk Vineyards, 44535 Main Road, Southold, 631-765-3500).
Favorite old-school North Fork business Borghese Vineyard (17150 Route 48, Cutchogue, 631-734-5111). We worked with Anne Marie and Marco when they ran their wine camp, where they taught about the different vineyards and how to crush the grapes and blend the wines. We catered the final night’s dinner; I love their wines, too. I also like Robert James Salon on Main Street in Riverhead (132 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-8155). They are very customer-oriented and really hospitable. I’ve been going there for a long time.
Favorite thing to do on a day off Go to the beach. I like Meschutt and Ponquogue beaches in Hampton Bays (Meschutt Beach County Park, 1 Canal Road, Hampton Bays, 631-852-8205; Ponquogue Beach Pavilion, 276 Dune Road, Hampton Bays, 631-728-8585). Also, Kenney’s Beach (475 Leeton Road, Southold, no phone) — we used to live over there, so we went there a lot.
Most popular meal you serve The portobello mushroom BLT. We get the mushrooms from Mattituck Mushrooms (6960 Sound Ave., Mattituck, 646-338-1155).
Favorite local drink I like the Celtic Ale from Long Ireland Beer Company (817 Pulaski St., Riverhead, 631-403-4303).
Favorite local attraction Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead (431 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-9200). Everyone loves the aquarium and all the different critters.
Favorite coffee spot We have the best cup of coffee in town! It’s organic — it’s a special roast that’s made for us and we sell it in 1-pound bags. Everybody that comes in says it’s the best coffee they’ve ever had.
Favorite place to see a show The Suffolk (118 East Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-4343). It’s so beautiful inside, and live entertainment is great. They have a lot of good cover bands there, playing Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac and Aerosmith. They sell our chocolate there, too.