Fun For 20-Somethings on the North Fork

There may be a misconception out there that the North Fork is boring compared to the Hamptons—because there are fewer celebrities, parties and fancy beaches it’s for an “older crowd.” That’s not true at all. It may not be as exciting as seeing a Real Housewife in East Hampton, but it certainly isn’t boring.

One thing that anyone in their 20s, male or female, loves to do is shop. Tanger Outlets in Riverhead is the perfect place to head when it comes to shopping. They have a large variety of stores, all of which are at discount prices. Some younger favorites are American Eagle, Coach, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Michael Kors and Armani. What 20-something wants to look good at an affordable price? All of them! With student loans on most of their backs, it’s important to look stylish without breaking the bank. A unique store that recently joined the Tanger Family is Empire State Cellars. This store is dedicated to selling New York wine, hard cider, beer and liquor. Not only is there a lot of wine and beer to be tasted on the Island, but also from the Finger Lakes region. They usually have tastings every day and great deals on bottles and cases.

Speaking of wine…it seems like many 20-somethings don’t know how to appreciate a good glass of wine; they kind of just drink to get intoxicated. Learning what you like and navigating your way through all the different kind of wines out there can be confusing, even frustrating. At Vineyard 48 in Cutchogue, the atmosphere they create is ideal for the younger crowd. When you pull into the vineyard on a Saturday or Sunday there will most likely be numerous limos and loud music. At the front door you are greeted with four tokens for wine tasting, which costs $10. If you like what you taste, then you can buy a glass. There are three white tents set up, two of which have a wine tasting area and the other is larger and has picnic tables. The DJ plays up-to-date music and there are people dancing the entire time. A glass of their frozen sangria is highly recommended.

Not a wine fan and more of a beer person? Then Greenport Harbor Brewery in Greenport is the spot to be. This small brewery is practically hidden, but it’s a great find. The tasting room is above the brewing area and they usually have about six beers on tap. Their tasting is a great deal because it’s only $8 and you get to keep the tall glass with the company’s logo on it. Also the pours are very generous. Their beers range from pale ale to a dark porter and everything in between; they really have something for everyone in any
given season.

After all that shopping and tasting good wine and craft beer, one can certainly build up an appetite. A restaurant that’s guaranteed to please all palates is Grana in Jamesport. How can you go wrong with awesome fresh pizza and pasta? You can’t, especially the way Grana does their pizza and pasta. They also use fresh, local produce whenever possible. The corn salad they serve in the summer is light and refreshing. Grana has the usual Italian favorites, but they also serve more gourmet combinations, like the fig, Gorgonzola, and caramelized onion pizza; probably the best pizza on the planet. The sweet and salty components of this pizza are absolute perfection, and the thin, crispy crust just puts it over the top. Their pizza crust isn’t the only carbohydrate that’s delicious; their bread is also out of this world. It comes out warm and has a wonderfully fluffy inside and crunchy outside. It’s worth going to Grana just for the bread.

The North Fork is full of amazing and exciting places to go and these are just a few of them; there are many more. So, the next time you’re looking for something to do and want to try out something new, check out DansHamptons.com for more options.

Vineyard 48,18910 Middle Road 48 Cutchogue,
631-734-5200, vineyard48wines.com.

Greenport Harbor Brewery, 234 Carpenter Street Greenport, 631-477-6681, harborbrewing.com.

Grana, 1556 Main Road Jamesport, 631-779-2844.

Tanger Outlets, 200 Tanger Mall Drive Riverhead, 631-369-2732, tangeroutlet.com.