A cheese pumpkin at Serene Green farm stand in Sag Harbor. • photo by Lindsay Morris
Let’s be real: you’ve been hauling pumpkins and wagons through the mud and ruts of a farm field all day. Cornstalks are tied to your roof rack and your vehicle looks like it’s lost a fight with a scarecrow. If you’re like me, by midday you want to sit down and eat some hearty feel-good food.
Here’s my list of best lunch spots on the North Fork for pumpkin picking warriors.
Love Lane Kitchen
Mattituck
After a morning of pumpkins and hayrides, you’ve more than earned some lovin’ at the Love Lane Kitchen. This small and intimate setting is actually quite kid friendly. Seekers of hearty fare might opt for the Cuban Panini (house roasted pork loin, ham, swiss cheese, dill pickle, mustard, garlic spread on focaccia with fried plantains). A lighter option is the Goat Cheese Panini (goat cheese, sautéed mushrooms, onions, zucchini, squash, eggplant, greens on pressed focaccia, with local Satur farm mixed greens) or one of the weekly specials which includes perfectly in-season sandwiches, soups (like Butternut Squash), salads and seasonal drinks like hot mulled cider. Just don’t get too attached. LLK relies on fresh, locally sourced and sustainable foods so their specials change with the seasons.
Cooperage Inn
Baiting Hollow
Hang on to your flannel shirts as you continue the Fall pumpkin picking festivities at The Cooperidge Inn. Their Fall Festival, offers a host of outdoor activities for the kids including face painting, pumpkin painting, pony rides and a playground constructed out of hay! They offer kids options that will appeal to all—chicken fingers, burgers, and hot dogs plus a horde of delicious fall treats like seasonal cookies and candied apples.
Parents, I hope you’ve worn your stretchy jeans – or at least aren’t shy about loosening your belt buckles because you will be delighted by the offering of fall comfort foods like fire-roasted corn, chicken pot pie, autumn harvest clam chowder and considerable BBQ options like, pulled-pork, baby back ribs and roasted chicken to name a few.
I don’t know about you, but I can actually smell the smoky deliciousness of good food and memories being made.
*weekends until October 23rd
Erik’s Breakfast and Lunch
Southold
Photo c/o Yelp
Erik’s is like the classic roadside eats my parents would visit religiously on long car trips Upstate. It’s the kind of place where everyone will find something delicious and yet casual enough that everyone will be at ease in their pumpkin apparel. For over a decade Erik’s has been serving up fried shrimp baskets and good old fashioned burgers, not to mention daily specials which can be found on their website. So order up, find a seat on the heated patio and your food will be brought out to you. Located next to the Sparkling Pointe Vineyard and in the heart of wine country you’re in for a peaceful setting to hunker down on that well deserved lunch.
1934 Pizza Bar
Greenport
You conquered the corn maze like a warrior! You left no one behind (even if you considered it). You’re at the top of your game when it comes to making decisions, but things are about to get difficult. It’s lunch time, your crew is hungry and no one has any clue what they want to eat. Having proven your leadership abilities, you recommend the 1934 Pizza Bar.
The 1934 allows you to create your own 13” artisanal wood fired, brick oven pizzas with traditional and unique toppings such as pulled pork, buttery mashed potatoes, and spicy fennel sausage plus your choice of cheese. If too many choices leave anyone in your party paralyzed with indecision, they can always order a pizza from the menu such as a traditional Margherita. While indoor seating is limited, there’s some outdoor seating – or take it to go and have a little tailgate impromptu picnic – perhaps amongst the fields of pumpkins?
Wednesday’s Table
Southold
You’ve been out gathering all kinds of unusual pumpkins: fairytales, Cinderellas, and green goblins and now your appetite for the unique needs further appeasing, by way of lunch. How about a Fig and Prosciutto Sandwich (black mission figs and Prosciutto with honey goat cheese spread, balsamic glaze and arugula on rustic sourdough bread)? Or maybe “Peking Style” duck bun? These are just a few of the inventive daily specials WT offers. The regular menu will keep kids and adults happy with a vast selection of soups, salads and sandwiches – ranging from your familiar grilled cheese to unique twists like the Mushroom Truffled Grilled Cheese (truffle-scented mushrooms, caramelized onions, sharp gruyere and soft provolone cheese on sliced sourdough bread). Warm up before you go with a cup of mulled cider, a flavored hot chocolate, or a latte made from Brooklyn Roasting Company.
