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Opties and DInghies food. (Photo credit: Victoria Caruso)

North Fork favorite Opties and Dinghies has moved to Shelter Island—and it’s better than ever

THE GIST: At Opties and Dinghies, owners Vincent Bertault and Claudia Lin meld their French and Chinese heritages. Here, handmade dumplings, Asian-inspired dishes and fresh catch of the day harmoniously coexist alongside authentic crepes, pastries and gelato. After closing their beloved hole-in-the-wall shop in Orient in the fall of 2023, they reopened in a larger space on Shelter Island this past July, welcoming an already established cult following and new fans with their expanded offerings and airy new digs. 

THE VIBE: The laid-back, coastal cottage has ample outdoor picnic table seating and a few indoor bistro tables in the bright and breezy café, with its white-paneled walls, lime green trim and subtle nautical accents. Counter service adds to the casual vibe, with colorful chalkboards announcing daily menus and specials. Opties and Dinghies’ new location shares the space with North Fork Seafood, a fresh-catch market run by local fisherman Jermaine Owens on the other side of a set of sliding glass doors within the café. 

Photos by Amy Zavatto

THE FOOD: From early mornings to late nights, you’ll find a smorgasbord of comforting sweets and home-cooked Asian-style fare. Fresh pastries are baked in-house daily — from flaky croissants and tarts to savory quiches. Alongside an already impressive list of dim sum (think dumplings, scallion pancakes and veggie egg rolls), the larger kitchen and collaborative space affords the opportunity for specials, like paella nights and mussel-and-fries Tuesdays, using fresh catch from the neighboring seafood market. 

Steamed Baby Bok Choy: Don’t forget to eat your greens! A feast of dumplings wouldn’t be complete without this healthy—and delicious—sidekick. Fresh baby Shanghai bok choy is steamed to perfection and served in a light garlicky oyster sauce. 

Gelato: Opties and Dinghies offers an ever-evolving gelato selection with up to 40 flavors, all hand-crafted by artisans at NYC’s il Laboratorio del Gelato. Look through the frosted glass of their double case and you’ll find a mix of classics and mold-breaking flavors: bold espresso made from locally roasted La Colombe espresso beans, earthy matcha-based Green Tea, subtly nutty Black Sesame and sweet striking purple Ube. 

Crepes: Hailing from France, Bertault’s expertise shines through in his gluten-free crepes, providing a range of both sweet and savory options. For those with a sweet tooth, be sure to order a crepe with the works: creamy nutella and peanut butter, banana, strawberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar to top it off.

Spicy Cold Sesame Noodles: A popular carryover from their original spot, these noodles are tossed in a flavorful peanut sauce and garnished with crisp cucumbers, shredded carrots, and scallions, delivering a subtle heat that’s both aromatic and addictive.

Dumplings: If there’s one thing you absolutely must try at Opties and Dinghies, it’s the dumplings. Choose from nearly a dozen varieties, served steamed or fried in portions of four or eight. Highlights include tender pork shaoma;  vibrant green steamed veggie dumplings stuffed with cabbage, carrots and mushrooms; and crisp pan-fried chicken basil dumplings. The char siu bao — fluffy steamed buns stuffed with juicy BBQ roast pork — are also a must-try.

The 411: Opties and Dinghies
87 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 917-822-1230

web: optiesanddinghies.com

instagram: @optiesanddinghies

Hours: Sunday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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