Blame Food Network, YouTube or Instagram, but dinner is no longer simply about having a starch, protein and veggie. It’s an experience, an art form and entertainment. Restaurants and brands are focusing on showcasing how food plays into fun lifestyles and luxury. And what’s often right next to a beautifully plated dish? A glass of wine. Sommeliers, chefs and restauranteurs are letting their creative juices flow and producing extensive wine lists and wine and food pairing experiences that allow diners to up the ante on their night out. I uncorked eight Long Island restaurant wine menus worth toasting to.
Related Content: 5 North Fork Restaurants by Wineries
Oheka Castle, Huntington
Gatsby wishes he were alive to dine at this iconic Gold Coast establishment. The space is elegant and classic—think hanging chandeliers, a brick interior, white tablecloths and large windows that allow guests to look at the expansive grounds. But the menu is full of fun twists on classic comfort foods. There are short rib sliders, duck and lobster meatballs—and that’s just the appetizer menu. The wine is everything you’d expect from a luxe Gold Coast venue. An extensive list of sparkling offerings includes two Dom Perignons. Wölffer and Paumonak whites also make appearances. Phone: 631-659-1400 | Address: 135 West Gate Drive Click to wine and dine
Wave Seafood Kitchen, Port Jefferson
image: wave
Fresh catches, harbor sunset views that have to be seen to be believed and an expansive wine list headlines this Port Jefferson favorite. The Toscana “Super Tuscan” from Italian winery Ruffino Modus is full-bodied, rich and has a long finish of vanilla and red berry. It’s perfect for cool weather and pairs well with a bold dish, like Wave’s carpaccio of beef. For something more refreshing, pair a Raphael Vineyards & Winery Sauvingon Blanc with a seafood offering. Phone: 631-928-5200 x. 70 | Address: 25 East Broadway Click to wine and dine
Verde Wine Bar & Ristorante, Deer Park
image: yvonne albinowski
This Italian spot goes off the pizza-and-pasta-beaten path to deliver some of the most inventive dishes on the Island. Chef James Ahearn knows no limits—rabbit legs, complete with bacon, are on the menu. A chicken liver mousse and veal sweetbreads are too. And the seemingly endless wine list includes a white Merlot from Bridge Lane, an organic white blend from Oregon and a surplus of sparkling options. Phone: 631-242-8902 | Address: 250 Commack Rd. Click to wine and dine
Prime, Huntington
Owner Michael Bohlsen likes to say that his sommeliers learn how to pair food and wine “the hard way— by eating and drinking it.” He says it with a laugh, but one visit to this high-end surf ’n turf restaurant confirms he’s not being tongue in cheek. The sommeliers aren’t afraid to recommend non-traditional pairings, such as salmon with red wine, that have diners rethinking the rules. Oenophiles can sit amongst the bottles in Prime’s intimate cellar, where racks and racks are stocked with hundreds of wines from around the world. Phone: 631-385-1515 | Address: 117 New York Ave. Click to wine and dine
Barrique Kitchen & Wine Bar, Babylon
This lively-but-cozy hangout was serving small plates long before they were en vogue. The wine list is 150 bottles deep and emphasizes American-made vintages. Fifty wines are sold by the half bottle and 30 are offered by the glass, allowing guests to sip, savor and sample another. Barrique takes a similar approach to the food. Popular tapas include braised short ribs so tender using a knife is an insult to the chef and a rock shrimp mac & cheese topped with bacon. Save room for dessert, which is also served mini-style. The peanut butter & chocolate and banana creme pie will have you happy swimsuit season is nowhere near. Indulge in a rustic space, complete with barn-wood tables, wooden floors accented by an area rug and a brick ceiling. Phone: 631-321-11755 | Address: 69 Deer Park Ave. Click to wine and dine
North Fork Table & Inn, Southold
Though this eatery’s wine menu spans the globe, it should come as no surprise there’s plenty of local offerings. The late executive chef Gerry Hayden was a leader in the farm-to-table movement and current chef Stephan Bogardus has kept with the tradition. Lieb Cellars’ Reserve Pinot Blanc is crisp, vibrant and a wonderful companion for oysters. A six-course tasting menu and wine flight allows guests to learn more about food and wine pairings (and just plain treat themselves). Phone: 631-765-0177 | Address: 57225 Main Road Click to wine and dine
Copperhill, Williston Park
Set inside a renovated farmhouse, Copperhill’s interior is clean and airy. There are wooden chairs and floors and a curved white bar. Though it’s often hailed for its fun cocktail program, which includes refreshing sips like a Bee’s Knees, the wine menu is formidable in its own right. An Italian Prosecco is a perfect way to start the evening and the Old Parcel Pinot Noir is light enough for chicken or fish. Phone: 516-746-1243 | Address: 234 Hillside Ave. Click to wine and dine
Jonathan’s Ristorante, Huntington
This Gold Coast restaurant treats guests to an elegant night out without the pretense. The service is warm and friendly and the staff is known to be ready with a wine pairing recommendation. The multi-time winner of Wine Spectators’ Award of Excellence, Jonathan’s Ristorante’s menu focuses heavily on wines from some vineyards in Italy, California, France and Australia. Pair the earthy Tagliatelle with the Le Sughere. The body can stand up to the meatiness of the dish. Phone: 631-549-0055 | Address: 15 Wall St. Click to wine and dine