Summer is made for weekend escapades, dates with intimate Main Street restaurants and an endless slew of scenic views. Next up in Pulse’s monthly Town Matchmaker series: Bay Shore and Patchogue. These two bayside Long Island towns are like lemonade and iced tea: refreshing, sweet and made for summer.
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Bay Shore
The LakeHouse
image: the lakehouse
Gorgeous views of the Great South Bay come with the territory at The LakeHouse. Between two lounge areas, a sprawling outdoor deck and garden fire pit, relaxation is guaranteed. The quality of the food makes unwinding even easier with options like sweet caramelized local sea scallops, roasted Berkshire pork chops and lightly pan fried soft shell crabs. Phone: 631-666-0995 | Address: 135 Maple Ave Click to taste
Salt & Barrel
image: salt & barrel
Bay Shore’s first oyster bar struck pearls on Main Street and shows no signs of stopping. From oyster shooters to lobster rolls to jumbo lump crab and potato gnocchi, there are nothing but gems in this chic, comfortable eatery. Phone: 631-647-8818 | Address: 61 W Main St Click to taste
Ferry to Fire Island
image: facebook.com/pg/fiferries
A gateway to a new world awaits at the End of Maple Ave. In about 30 minutes visitors will be greeted with bay breezes, fruity cocktails and a healthy dose of carefree living. Keep in mind, the Bay Shore terminal travels to Kismet, Saltaire, Fair Harbor, Dunewood/Atlantique, Ocean Beach, Seaview and Ocean Bay Park. Phone: 631-665-3600 | Address: 99 Maple Ave Click to visit
Alive By the Bay
Wednesday, July 12, downtown Bay Shore hosted its first Alive By the Bay summer street festival, similar to Patchogue’s Alive After Five and Riverhead’s Alive on 25. It is best described as an arts, music, dining and entertainment festival. Two more are expected to take place Aug. 9 and Aug. 23, once a final decision by the Islip Town Board has been reached. Phone: 631-848-0458 Click to visit
Patchogue
Lombardi’s on the Bay
image: facebook.com/pg/lombardibay
Located at the end of South Ocean Avenue, visitors can make themselves at home on a spacious, multi-level deck overlooking the Great South Bay. A landlubber and seafood friendly Italian-skewed menu featuring top-notch fried calamari and rigatoni with mamma’s meatballs deliver a delectable touch. Phone: 631-654-8970 | Address: 600 S Ocean Ave Click to taste
Catch Oyster Bar
image: catch oyster bar
Newcomer to the dining scene, the coastal-themed joint proves it knows a thing or two about creative entrees and raw oysters. Between at least eight varieties of oysters every day, lobster rolls that don’t overdo it on the mayo and the fried oysters Rockefeller with Parmesan cream sauce, sit back, relax and let someone else cook you dinner. Phone: 631-627-6860 | Address: 63 N Ocean Ave Click to taste
Ferry to Fire Island
Another one of the South Shore outlets, Brightwood Street is home to the Patchogue ferry terminal, which services Davis Park. The Watch Hill terminal site at West Avenue will reopen in late summer. A quaint beach community, where bikes and boats take center stage, is just waiting to be explored. Phone: 631-475-1665 | Address: 80 Brightwood St Click to visit
Alive After Five
Head to Main Street for two more nights of music, food, beer and art. Aug. 3, Aug. 17 Click to visit