Photo courtesy of Claudio’s
Have you ever wondered if you could simultaneously dine at a 150-year-old restaurant and eat on a dock, perched above the water? Dreamed of soaking up some of Long Island’s most deep-seated local dining history while also catching a dreamy sunset? I can tell you that the two are not mutually exclusive. As dining on Long Island wakes up again after the spring fever dream that closed restaurants, Claudio’s has plenty of room for you to spread out and enjoy the view.
Claudio’s is a broad name for several separate enterprises, actually. There’s Crabby Jerry’s, a more informal restaurant that juts out into the water; Claudio’s Waterfront, which serves a robust collection of seafood-heavy offerings, compiled from the Claudio’s restaurants; Claudio’s Restaurant, the most formal of the bunch; and Claudio’s Pizzeria, which serves up bespoke slices and pies.
Claudio’s Waterfront, in particular, has revamped its menu and is open daily for Dining in Distance, with happy hour specials, signature cocktails, and frozen drinks that offer a summer experience with a nod to safety. Sip on Claudio’s Coladas and Dockside Lemonade, and enjoy a lobster roll and can of Bridge Lane rosé for $32, all while enjoying the North Fork’s best backdrop.
This year, Claudio’s has taken safety to a whole new level, installing plexiglass dividers between tables, placing a premium on glove handling and protocol, and adhering strictly to all New York and federal guidelines that pertain to the COVID-19 crisis, all so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the unobstructed view from the pier, without so much as a care in the world.
But if you still prefer to keep your distance, that’s ok, too! You can get food from Claudio’s delivered right to your boat, if you’re so inclined. Delivery orders—which must reach a $300 minimum—should be placed two hours before desired delivery time. Deliveries are made between 1 and 7 p.m., on the hour. If you’re looking for a meal fit for a king on the water, this is the restaurant for you. Order an entire platter of lobster rolls, a whole steamed lobster, snow crab legs by the pound, Alaskan king crab by the pound, a shrimp cocktail platter, buckets of beers, canned wines, frozen drinks, bottles of liquor, and more. In short, whether you choose a seat on the pier or a seat on your own boat, Claudio’s always delivers.
