Any Long Islander knows that what makes for the best beach day is a great sandwich in tow.
Emily Demarchelier of Demarchelier Bistro (471 Main St., Greenport, 631-593-1650) is looking to meet that demand this summer with her expanded sandwich menu, available to-stay or to-go at her French eatery.
“I just noticed, especially with the closing of Salumeria Sarto – besides the deli, of course, in town, where can you get a deli sandwich?” she says. “There wasn’t really a place to get a fresh sandwich in the village.”
While the hand-held lunch staples are not new to the bistro’s menu, Demarchelier decided that she’d like to add some variety, including vegan and vegetarian options.
“There is almost something for everyone,” she says.
Her parents, Eric and Catherine Demarchelier, opened the first Demarchelier Bistro in Lenox Hill in 1978. When she came of age and entered the family business, she managed the restaurant until 2019, when it closed. That same year, she opened Greenport’s version.
“My dad always wanted to do a sandwich place, like it was simple, simple, simple,” says Demarchelier. “I just wanted to kind of expand that offering and let people know you don’t have to eat the sandwich here, you can go to the beach with it, or you can go boating with it.”
As for curating the menu, she selected some of her personal favorites.
“I see a lot of tomato mozzarella caprese sandwiches,” says Demarchelier. “I wanted to take it up a little notch and do burrata. I love burrata — we have it as a special quite frequently.”
She is serving up North African flavors, too.
“I brought in a merguez sandwich because I love Moroccan lamb sausage,” says Demarchelier. “It’s one of my favorite things to eat, especially in the sandwich. It’s a little spicy with the harissa and the red pepper.”
Plus, the bread gets a local boost, with all of it baked locally at Blue Duck Bakery (130 Front St., Greenport).
“Freshness was important to me and a baguette shouldn’t be soft, it should be crunchy and good,” says Demarchelier. “Blue Duck has great bread and with a nice little toast to it. It really elevates the sandwich.”
The bistro started serving the to-go sandwiches in May. Customers can call ahead or order in person.
“[Making the sandwiches] really doesn’t take that long,” says Demarchelier. “I didn’t want to do a grab-and-go situation because I’ve just heard some frustrations from customers that when they do grab-and-go – the stuff on the shelf – the bread is stale. It doesn’t taste fresh.”
If you’re in the mood for a sit-down meal, however, the bistro still has you covered.
Their menu, stocked with French fare – including the new and improved sandwich list – is served Sunday and Monday from 12 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday 12 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 12 to 9:30 p.m. Lunch is available from 12 to 4 p.m. and brunch is served on weekends.
