It’s finally summer on the North Fork! The beaches and bars are filling up, the wine somehow tastes colder, and the sunsets are getting even more stunning by the day. I’m asked fairly often in the tasting room, “Where should we go to watch the sunset?” My follow up question is always “inside or outside?” Outside, there are countless beautiful beaches up and down the island that are perfect for watching the sun go down. But if you want to be inside, perhaps with a cocktail in hand, I only have one suggestion: The Halyard. The view is unparalleled and even though it’s five minutes from my house, every visit still feels like an escape.
My favorite seat at The Halyard is in the lounge overlooking the Long Island Sound. If the tide is high and you sit long enough (and maybe have a couple glasses of wine), it starts to feel as though you’re actually on a boat, which I haven’t yet decided is a good or a bad thing. Maybe both? If you’re prone to seasickness, you might be better off snagging a seat on the covered outdoor deck. Outside, you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful breeze and the sound of the waves lapping against the shore beneath your feet. Wherever you decide to sit, and if you’ve timed your visit right, you will have a front row seat for the most gorgeous sunset display on the island. Just be sure to position yourself for the perfect #sunsetselfie. Is that a hashtag yet? It should be.
No blog post of mine would be complete without mentioning food at some point, so obviously that’s your next photo opportunity. Stephan Bogardus, a North Fork native and close friend, recently took the helm of the kitchen at The Halyard, and my god, is he killing it. I previously worked with Stephan when he was the Executive Chef and I managed the front of house at North Fork Table and Inn in Southold, and I can tell you from personal experience that his food, attitude, and attention to detail are second to none. I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy his cooking over the years, and his dishes just keep getting better and better. His plates are always gorgeous, with varied colors and textures, and more often than not, they feature local produce, seafood, and meat. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a dish of Stephan’s that I haven’t photographed first. But let me tell you, it is hard to be patient. I’ve slapped my fiancé’s hand out of the way plenty of times so I can get the quintessential overhead shot, whether it’s for work, or just my Instagram story. Luckily, the entire restaurant is flooded with beautiful natural light, so even on a gloomy day your photos will be perfectly lit.
But maybe you got out of work too late, or your Jitney got stuck in traffic, and you didn’t make it to the restaurant in time for the golden hours of sunset. Don’t worry, because there’s probably a spot for you in the Piano Bar. The wood paneled walls and red leather booths give it a cozy, old school vibe, so it’s the perfect place to unwind at the end of a long day. There’s something about this bar that just begs for a martini (the drink that also comes with a snack), so give in to the urge. The martinis are served ice cold and in beautiful coupes, so take a quick pause before that first sip to take the photo it rightly deserves.
Now I’ve made myself sufficiently thirsty and hungry so I’m off to take my own advice and treat myself to a sunset date. As always, maybe I’ll see you there. Cheers!
Alice Falcone
Lieb Cellars & Bridge Lane Social Media Coordinator