Oyster Bay has a great wealth of history and money surrounding it. Theodore Roosevelt vacationed there during his Presidency, and Money Magazine placed it 34th on its annual list of 50 top places to live in the US in 2016. And with the addition of some new eateries, it’s gotten a nice bump in its foodie-scene cache, as well. Five Oyster Bay restaurants are musts for an Islanders’ bucket list.
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Autentico
The hand-written menu changes regularly at this 32-seat Italian restaurant, which opened in February 2016. But whatever chef Francesco Pecoraro, a native of Filaga, Sicily, is offering is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Guests particularly rave fresh pasta dishes and house-made desserts. Go
Canterbury’s Oyster Bar & Grill
Visitors coming for the first time to a village called Oyster Bay should expect to find a great oyster bar. They will find that Canterbury’s is a prime option—it’s been serving up fresh local oysters and seafood, as well as a fine assortment of pub food and an extensive beer list for more than 35 years. Go
Osteria Leana
Uova in Purgatorio; housemate raviolo. The eggs at Osteria Leana may be in purgatory, but everything else is honest eating designed to please.
Osteria Leana came onto the Oyster Bay restaurant scene in 2016 promising seasonal ingredients for simple Italian fare, and it has delivered that and so much more. Diners call it a New York City-quality experience with a knowledgeable, friendly staff in an intimate setting. The menu is brief, but exceptional, with the dishes offering just right amount of portions. Recent highlights include burrata appetizer, fresh pasta dishes such as cacio e pepe, organic chicken with glazed carrots and flourless chocolate cake and hazelnut ice cream for dessert. Go
Spinnakers
Warm figs, blue cheese, arugula, frisée, port syrup. image: yvonne albinowski
Damien and Yakshi Carlino bought the former Jack Halyard’s in July, soon relaunched it as the seafood-centric Spinnakers and since seem to have been doing everything right, from an inviting menu to lots of live music. Try the crisp skinned grilled octopus on a bed of chickpeas, with olives, mint, harissa tahini, lemon, micro arugula and two types of tiny tomatoes. The soothing warm figs are paired with arugula, frisée, port syrup and nubbins of blue cheese as starters. For meat lovers, dig into the Spinnaker Burger, with gruyere cheese, mushrooms, bacon, arugula and topped with an egg. Go
Wild Honey Dining & Wine
Wild Honey’s bones are rich in history—the building once housed President Teddy Roosevelt summer offices—but this New American keeps things fresh with seasonal menus, a cozy decor and friendly service. Iron skillet mussels and crispy calamari are popular starters. Follow those up with the braised boneless short ribs with a crispy mushroom risotto cake and sautéed spinach in a mushroom-cabernet reduction. Those in the know are fans of the $28.95 Sunday supper three-course prix-fixe menu. Go