North Fork Gourmet Shopping

The North Fork is not only for lovers of wine, but also for lovers of food and sweets. With summer in full swing and the temperature slowly climbing to borderline unbearable, it was a no-brainer when my sister and I contemplated what to do with our day. Venturing to the North Fork sounded like a great idea and turned out to be just that.

The treasures below are just a few of the great places to stop in and find something your taste buds will love.

The first stop on our gourmet food excursion was the Love Lane Sweet Shoppe, located on the very lovely Love Lane in Mattituck. This little shop offers much more than sweets. Though the vast array of chocolates was the first thing to catch my eye —being a lover of chocolate it was a dream come true. With all the different types and combinations it would be easy to fulfill any chocolatey craving. Two of the shop’s best sellers are the almond butter crunch and the dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. Not a big chocolate person? No worries, there is something for you here. The Sweet Shoppe also offers other gourmet goodies as well as toys and custom baskets. This is a great little nostalgic shop for anyone with a sweet tooth. www.lovelanesweets.com. [expand]

Located right next to the Sweet Shoppe on Love Lane in Mattituck is The Village Cheese Shop. As soon as we opened the door the scent of cheese rushed towards us. The bright and airy décor offered a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. The cheese shop has been around since 2001 and with the numerous cheeses they offer it’s no wonder it has grown and thrived over 10 years of business. There are 300 different types of cheeses sold here, out of all of these the most popular is the Pecorino Tartufo. This is a cheese made of sheep’s milk with black truffles. The combination makes for a unique, flavorful taste. The Village Cheese Shop offers samples for anyone who wants to come in and try any of their cheeses. The staff is friendly and helpful – it’s no wonder that most people leave with a bundle of cheese and a smile on their face. It is just the kind of experience that keeps consumers coming back for more. www.thevillagecheeseshop.com.

Love Lane Kitchen, also on Mattituck’s Love Lane was the next fabulous find. Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner—they do it all seven days a week. Over their five years of business, the Kitchen has quickly grown and developed a great reputation. A popular breakfast item is the stuffed French toast, which is also made better when accompanied by a cup of coffee from Love Lane Kitchen’s very own roast. Some of the other favorites are the lobster rolls and the goat cheese panini. Thanks to fresh, local ingredients, a welcoming atmosphere, and great hospitality, it’s a great little place to satisfy your culinary cravings. www.lovelanekitchen.com.

The final sweet stop on the gourmet journey was Junda’s Pastry Shop at 1612 Main Road in Jamesport. As soon as the door opened our mouths were watering with the sweet smell of pies and pastries. Junda’s has come a long a way in the seven years it has been open. It started as a lemonade and pie stand. The apple strudel is a staple in the bakery, with its flaky crust—you can’t help but want a second piece. Their red velvet cake is also a popular item among customers. Junda’s offers an array of cookies and other pastries along with their event cakes. These tasty cakes can be ordered for weddings, birthdays, any sort of gathering. The Junda’s Pastry shop has people coming back mainly because all of the products they offer are of the best quality. 631-722-4999. [/expand]