Photo courtesy of Lieb Cellars
The East End is summer country, right? With the beach days behind us (or, more optimistically, ahead of us), what is there to do on a winter day on eastern Long Island? Luckily, there are plenty of fun winter activities to help you pass the time. And it doesn’t hurt that you can pair your afternoon out and about with a delicious meal. Here’s our guide to winter playing and eating on the East End.
Ice Skating and a German Feast
If it’s not cold enough to hit up your local pond, head over to the Southampton Ice Rink, which holds public skating most days in the afternoon. Warm your hands and toes afterwards with lunch at Southampton’s Shippy’s Pumpernickel. Is there a better post-skating meal than the Bavarian House Platter? The massive helping includes a choice of knockwurst, bratwurst, and weisswurst.
Bowling and Buffalo
Hit up the lanes at The All Star in Riverhead, where you can enjoy a cocktail while you bowl (is there a more compelling reason to slip those shoes on, after all?). Afterwards, go directly to Tweed’s, the iconic Riverhead restaurant known for—among other items—its bison. The lunch menu includes a warming, filling bison Rueben, served with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing.
Wine Tasting and Plates to Share
After a day of tasting wine on the North Fork (check out Macari Vineyards, Lieb Cellars, and Sparkling Pointe, among others), head for lunch at Noah’s in Greenport. This locally focused restaurant has plenty of raw bar items, small plates, and sharable large plates to choose from, including grilled Mediterranean sardines, mushroom risotto, and a duck cassoulet, all of which are great for a chilly winter afternoon.
Arcade and Bar Bites
The Clubhouse, in East Hampton, is home to more than bowling lanes. And while you can bowl there, you’re just as likely to have a good time if you duck into the arcade and follow it up with food from the restaurant. This is comfort food to the max, from the giant pretzel to the well-executed wings platter. It will make you feel better about losing all those rounds of Skee-Ball.
