Our picks for cool restaurants offer fair weather fare and waterside views on hot days
ALure Chowder House and Oysteria, Southold
On the marina at Port of Egypt, ALure specializes in fresh, locally sourced seafood accompanied by an extensive, all Long Island wine list. Veteran chef Tom Schaudel, who presides at Jewel and A Mano, is a partner in this seafood-centered restaurant and his fingerprints are evident.
Bay Kitchen Bar, East Hampton
At dusk, a golden sun often sinks beyond the horizon casting shimmering reflections on the waters of Three Mile Harbor. Seated on a second floor perch overlooking the marina, diners can watch boats gliding by. Inside, striped navy blue and white upholstery and flickering ship lanterns cast a nautical ambiance. Eating here feels like a vacation.
Jordan Lobster Farms, Island Park
image: jordan lobster farms
Eating lobster in a lovely waterside garden at diner-like prices sounds like a fantasy but it’s a reality on Reynolds Channel. Here, diners savor summer at a charming seaside locale with a view of Long Beach Bridge. They pay a pittance for super-fresh Maine lobster with corn-on-the cob, cole slaw and potato chips.
Fat Fish Wine & Bistro, Bay Shore
On Great South Bay, tucked into the end of little Cottage Avenue among marinas and boatyards, is a casual, use-your-fingers, shorts and tee-shirts kind of place. The expansive deck, side bar, outdoor dining room and small tap room offer golden seafood favorites.
La Plage, Wading River
Foodies hurtling headlong toward the newest may miss out on far superior, established locations. This sophisticated beachcomber has held forth on Wading River Beach for over a decade. Diners can eat outdoors in warm weather and be treated to a nautical view year round.
The Lake House, Bay Shore
Superb food, silken service, views on Lawrence Lake, warmth and wine are all part of the delightful picture here. Although it doesn’t serve astoundingly original dishes, the quality of the food and the charm of the experience envelope discerning diners.
Lombardi’s on the Bay, Patchogue
Overlooking Great South Bay, diners enjoy a spacious, multilevel outdoor deck with unsurpassed views. Both landlubbers and seafood seekers can find many dishes to satisfy them on the diverse, Italian-skewed menu.
MP Taverna, Roslyn
image: facebook.com/mptaverna
The neat, brown-hued interior is decked out with wood, mirrors, bare tables and exposed brick. Its covered outdoor balcony overlooking Roslyn’s Main Street is just as homey. Prices are modest, portions are generous, service is swift and the Greek food is consistently superior.
Navy Beach, Montauk
Just a few feet from Fort Pond Bay, catching a spectacular view of Block Island Sound and Gardiners Island, this mellow beach house restaurant boasts a seafood-skewed menu. The only possible problem is finding this remote, isolated haven.
Sunset Beach, Shelter Island Heights
This is a festive, casual, laid-back spot. Both the second floor perch and informal beachfront tables offer interesting Pan Asian and bistro French-tinged dishes as well as nautical and people watching possibilities.