If you’re looking for some of the best food on Shelter Island, look no further than this excellent, unpretentious restaurant opened by Valerie and Robert Mnuchin in Summer 2022. Oriented around a centrally located, wood-burning hearth, the restaurant has the feel of the welcoming house of a close friend. You’ll want to stay and linger both on the outdoor terrace surrounded by teak tables under a natural cupola and inside the main dining room full of warm lighting, high ceilings and comfortable leather.
The food at the restaurant is inspired by the French and Italian countryside with a focus on local and regional ingredients. Don’t miss the bibb lettuce, the succulent slow fired half chicken or the perfectly cooked Bavette Steak with crispy potatoes and chermoula. The wine list nods to tradition alongside more modern natural wines and the cocktail menu is as inviting as the elevated rustic surroundings with smart creations like the Pioggia Viola with sloe gin, mastiha, lemon tonic and rosemary.
Plan on spending a long and leisurely evening here to enjoy the home-made bread, fascinating cooking process in the open hearth and the peaceful, coastal surroundings.
