Dance on Saturday 16th at Martha Clara Vineyard

Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast will be part of the North Fork Bed and Breakfast Association’s Summer Event, a celebration of tourism and agriculture which takes place this coming Saturday, July 16th.
I’ve been working hard in the Shorecrest garden getting it ready for the visitors who have bought tickets for the garden tour part of the day’s activities. Visitors with the garden tour ticket can start their day with a visit to the Cornell University Extension experimental gardens on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, NY. If you garden on Long Island and would like some great ideas on what will do well here, this is a good place to start. Do you have a sick plant or strange looking insects eating your veggies? These are the people to call or even send them a leaf in the mail; they will get back to you with an explanation and possibly a cure. Cornell is a great resource for both farmers and gardeners.
The tour of the gardens continues in the afternoon from 1pm to 4pm with visits to six bed and breakfast, each of whom will be hosting a local farmer or food producer. Sang Lee will have a stand at Shorecrest and we will be serving fresh mint tea and mint flavored lemonade using our own home grown mint leaves. From 4.30pm to 6.30pm, visitors can purchase tickets for a prix fixe dinner, choosing from one of 9 North Fork restaurants: The Old Mill Inn, Jamesport Manor Inn, The Portly Grape, Scrimshaw, Skippers, Sound View, and Porto Bello will offer their chef’s signature dishes to diners. To end the days with a bang, the NFBBA will be hosting a dance with the music of Trevor Davision at Martha Clara Vineyard from 7:15 to 10:30 p.m.
The bed and breakfast association is donating part of the profits of the summer event to Cornell Cooperative Extension, which supports gardening and agriculture on Long Island and is part of the association’s longstanding commitment to strengthen business on the North Fork while supporting agriculture and tourism.
Tickets can be purchased on line for all or just parts of the event through Brown Paper tickets. To find out more about activities throughout the year, check the association’s website at nfbba.org.
Related Topics: Cornell Cooperative Extension, Martha Clara Vineyards, and North Fork Bed and Breakfast Association

On Main Road in Southold, opposite Old Field vineyard and due south of Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast is to be found one of the top restaurants on Long Island, and the New York area, the North Fork Table & Inn. Quite a few of my guests of late have been visiting the North Fork specifically to eat here; the restaurant has itself become a destination amongst lovers of good food. It is easy to understand why. Some friends and I took advantage of their prix fixe menu during last month’s Long Island Restaurant Week and were delighted as usual. Food, ambience and service left nothing to be desired.

And my friends, guests and I aren’t the only ones to be impressed. The Suffolk Times Review reported this week that The North Fork Table has just been given a score of 29 out of 30 in the recently published ‘Long Island Restaurant Survey’ 2011-2012 rankings. The survey included 901 restaurants reviewed by 6,217 diners.

The cuisine has been described as ‘dynamic American fare that is fully devoted to providing the highest standards in culinary excellence’. Inspired by homegrown organic produce, award winning North Fork artisanal cheeses, and the freshest of seafood (as is only possible when the fishing fleet docks less than a mile away on Southold and Peconic Bays), North Fork Table & Inn has all the attributes needed for drawing such a consistent crowd of admirers.

Add a wine list highlighted by many acclaimed and awarded Long Island wines, dining at the North Fork Table is an experience any restaurant patron and food aficionado is sure to enjoy as their reviews attest:

“A world-class gem on the North Fork. Food is exceptional: creative, local, beautifully presented. Service is outstanding: quiet, professional, unobtrusive, extremely knowledgeable. Ambiance is what you expect with food and service of this quality: simple, beautiful space, casual elegance, serene. And, in keeping with the setting and the ambiance, our birthday celebration was acknowledged without disturbing other diners. A truly beautiful experience.”

“Best food experience in my life. Excellent service!”

There are a variety of menu plans to choose from depending on what time of the day you are visiting the restaurant and  based on seasonal options. Some current menu choices are a $68 3-Course Prix Fixe menu and the Chef’s Tasting menu for about $30 more including wine paired with your dishes.

Menu options and opening hours

Lunch is available in the restaurant on Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 2:30pm. You can check out the 2011 lunch service menu and lunch tasting menu here. 

Dinner is served from 5:00pm until 10:00pm Friday and Saturday evenings and from 5:00pm until 9:00pm Sunday, Monday, and Thursday. These links will take you to a sample dinner menu and sample dinner tasting menu.  Children 12 and under can enjoy a 2-Course Prix Fixe meal for $28.

Visitors should plan ahead as reservations are commonly taken one month in advance during high season. I can usually find my guests a table however if I have a few days notice. The restaurant  is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Lunch Truck Service

Only the North Fork Table could come up with such gourmet food served from a truck. The best fast food stop I’ve ever come across, the lunch truck is open for service from 11:30 to 3:30 7 days a week. The ‘sublime stylings of Chefs Fleming and Hayden meet astounding, quick lunch convenience, head on’ with their lunch service menu.
If you don’t have time to come in and sit, but must eat on the move, this is a great option.
The North Fork Table is one of my top recommendations to guests when they ask for dining suggestions and I am delighted to have such a splendid culinary attraction as a neighbor; just remember to save room for breakfast!

I look forward to welcoming you to the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast and to enjoy the epicurean delights of beautiful Southold soon!

And my guests aren’t the only ones to be impressed. The Suffolk Times Review reported this week that The North Fork Table has just been given a score of 29 out of 30 in the recently published ‘Long Island Restaurant Survey’ 2011-2012 rankings. The survey included 901 restaurants reviewed by 6,217 diners.

From the Strawberry Festival in Mattituck to Winery Tours and the Greenport Gallery Walk.

find out what’s going on at Suffolk Times twitter list here

Scroll down to see some Upcoming Winery Events

Castello di Borghese Vineyards

Saturday, June 19, 2010
1pm

Winemaker’s Walk at Castello di Borghese Vineyard

A guided tour of the winery and production facility and wine tasting at
Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery. $20 per person. Please call to make
reservations (631) 734-5111 or purchase tickets online securely with your
credit card at www.castellodiborghese.com.

Saturday & Sunday, June 25 & 26, 2010
11am – 5pm

Piano Tasting at Castello di Borghese Vineyard

Enjoy this wonderful afternoon event ‘showcasing’ beautiful pianos
graciously supplied by Frank and Camille.  Castello di Borghese Vineyard is
located at 17150 County Rte 48 in Cutchogue, NY.  Call 631-734-5111 for more
information or visit our website at www.castellodiborghese.com

Saturday, June 26, 2010
1pm

Winemaker’s Walk at Castello di Borghese Vineyard

A guided tour of the winery and production facility and wine tasting at
Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery. $20 per person. Please call to make
reservations (631) 734-5111 or purchase tickets online securely with your
credit card at www.castellodiborghese.com

Saturday, June 26, 2010
12-2pm

Rolling in Dough A Traveling Wood Fire Brick Oven Pizza at Borghese Vineyard

Rolling in Dough, a mouth watering, wood-fired, brick oven pizza on wheels
will be tantalizing your taste buds at Borghese as part of the Long Island
Wine and Food Festival events being held throughout the weekend.   Pizza &
Wine available for purchase for your visit.  Castello di Borghese Vineyard
is located at 17150 County Rte 48 in Cutchogue, NY.  Call 631-734-5111 for
more information or visit our website at www.castellodiborghese.com

Saturday, June 26, 2010
2-4pm

Long Island Wine and Food Festival Event featuring Executive Chef Lia Fallon
at Castello di Borghese Vineyard

Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Amarelle, Lia Fallon is a seasoned culinary
executive, food stylist and producer. Educated and trained at the Culinary
Academy in New York where she received her culinary arts degree, will be our
featured Chef during the first “Long Island Wine and Food Festival”.
Chef Fallon began her career in Manhattan at The Food Network as a food
stylist, working for celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Bobby Flay and now
will bring her incredible talent to Borghese for this special tasting
experience.  Chef Fallon evokes food to perform and achieve beyond ordinary
expectations and will pair everything with Borghese’s Award-Winning wines.
Castello di Borghese Vineyard is located at 17150 County Rte 48 in
Cutchogue, NY.  Call 631-734-5111 for more information or visit our website
at www.castellodiborghese.com

Clovis Point Winery

JUNE

SATURDAY,  June 19th, Live Music
Baxter-Miller Band
2-5pm

SUNDAY, June 20th, Live Music
Join us for a Father’s Day Celebration
Sue Giordano Duo
2-5pm

SATURDAY, June 26th
Join the Managing Partner Hal Ginsburg for a VIP tour of the Vineyard along with wine and a Greek cheese tasting
At 1:00 and  3:00
Fee for this event is $15.00 per person ($10.00 per person for Wine Club Members)
Please RSVP

SATURDAY, June 26th
Book Signing
Rosemary Mckinley, a local author from 2:30-5:00pm
101 Glimpses of the North Fork and Islands

SATURDAY, June 26th (Evening)
Dinner and Library Wine Tasting
with live music
Jazz on the Half Shell
6-9 PM
Dinner paired with Cellar favorites.
We will be serving five wines with five courses

SUNDAY, June 27th
Clovis Point is pouring at the
Long Island Wine and Food Festival Weekend in Greenport
www.LongIslandWineandFoodFestival.com

Lieb Cellars

Father’s Day Weekend
Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20
Celebrate Fathers Day with Lieb Cellars. All Dads will receive a free tasting flight of their choosing.

Wine Club Spring Pick-Up Party
Sunday June 27 (Rescheduled from June 13th)
12 – 3 pm
$20 Gold Club Members
$5 Platinum Club Members

Wine and Chocolate Pairing Education Class
By Exotic Chocolate Tasting
Part of the Long Island Food and Wine Festival
Saturday June 26
5 – 7 pm
Join us for a special Exotic Chocolate & Wine Pairing Event featuring Roxanne Browning. Roxanne will be pairing 5 fair trade exotic chocolates with 5 of our wines.
$40 per person / $25 for wine club members
RSVP Required

www.liebcellars.com    35 Cox Neck Road, Mattituck, NY 11952       631 298 1942

Martha Clara Vineyards

Saturday June 19th 7pm

Sail on the beautiful scenic
Mattituck Inlet & LI Sound
w/ Captain Bob & Martha Clara
Vineyards Winemakers.
Wine will be served along with light hors d’oeuvres.

$75/ticket+tax
Wine Club Members $55/ticket
for a max of 4 tix+tax
Purchase tix with gina@marthaclaravineyards.com

Osprey’s Dominion

Saturday 6/19/10 – Live Music
With Sahara from 1:30 – 5:30PM

Saturday 6/20/10 – Celebrate Dad
Live Music with TJ Brown from 1:30 – 5:30PM

ART HAPPENINGS

5TH ANNUAL OUTSIDER ART IN THE HAMPTONS

Visionary, Art Singular & Self -Taught Artists

NOW through Monday September 6th, 2010

Galerie BelAge, 8 Moniebogue Lane, Westhampton Beach, New York 11978

Gallery Contact number: 631-288-5082  www.galeriebelage.com

Gallery Hours: Monday thru Friday 10 – 5:00, Saturday + Sunday 12 – 6:00

Opening Night Reception: Saturday June 19th, 2009, 5:00 to 8:00 PM

Featuring Live Outsider Music and Poetry Reading by Self taught artist, poet, and song writer; Phil Demise will be giving a rare musical solo performance and reading poems from his book “PERIODS”. The “NYC Gothic Blues duo Lone Vein” will also be performing live.

This year’s exhibition includes 80 established and emerging artists from France, Netherlands, China, Switzerland and throughout the USA, including Long Island. Mediums include works in oils, acrylics,sculpture,photography,video,with musical, dance & poetry performances. Additionally there will be a satellite exhibit for the month of August at the Greenport Brewery’s Gallery. The “UnHamptons North Fork Edition” of the “5th Annual Outsider Art in theHampton’s, with a selection of art in coordination with the Westhampton’s Beach Exhibition.

These exhibitions are a collaborative effort with Three Non Profit organizations; Fountain Gallery + Pure Vision Arts from New York City + Survivors Art Foundation.

Enjoy your Father’s Day Weekend!

Vineyard Events
Sat 19th
2-5pm Live Music – Hank Stone (Folk/Rock)

Sun 20th
2-5pm Live – Music Alan St Jon(classic rock/pop

Look for us on

facebook.com
twitter.com
Youtube
6025 Sound Ave Riverhead NY   631 298 0075   marthaclaravineyards.com

Last Chance Animal Rescue Vineyard Hike at Palmer Vineyards

Vineyard: Palmer Vineyards
Time: 10:00 AM
Sunday, June 27th
Last Chance Animal Rescue Vineyard Hike

Babe in the Garden

10:00 AM
Join us in the morning for a 2 mile hike with Palmer Vineyards vineyard manager, Josh Carp. Josh will give us a brief vineyard tour while we get a bit of exercise. Don’t forget to bring your favorite fluffy friend.
Donations will be accepted to benefit Last Chance Animal Rescue, a charitable, not-for profit organization created to save the lives of animals. One of the main goals of the foundation is to rescue animals that are located in “KILL” facilities and underwrite the costs of relocating them to “NO KILL” facilities in hopes of finding them a forever family.
Dogs available for adoption will join us as well!

Time: Doors open at 10 AM Hike begins at 10:30, poop bags will be provided
Donation: $15 includes a free mimosa after the hike
For more information: www.palmervineyards.com

* only available to guests of Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast and other NFBBA members.

Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast is delighted to announce the launch of our Winery Discount and Free Tastings Certificate EXCLUSIVE to guests of Shorecrest and other NFBBA member BnB’s!

The Discount card entitles guests to discounts on purchases and complimentary tastings to 24 local North Fork Long Island vineyards and includes:

• One free tasting to five different vineyards (tastings can cost from $8 – $12 each, depending on wine for a $40-$60 value)
• Free tastings with purchase to an additional 7 wineries- ($56-$84 value)
• 23 wineries offer from 10% to 25% discount on purchases

(Average 17% discount on all wine purchases)

Total value of card $100- $150 PLUS  depending on purchases

Visit our reservation calendar to select your room and secure this great wine appreciation offer
Visit our blog for the latest news on North Fork and Long Island Wine Country events.

Click on the link to our reservation page for specials and retail items that you can add to your stay to enhance your visit

A Long Island Wine Country vacation at Shorecrest BnB by the Sea

Book three nights at full price midweek in June and your 4^th night is free! Your stay night will include a complimentary bottle of wine and chocolates on arrival, our exclusive winery discount and complimentary tastings card for you  to use at 24 local wineries, access to our two private beaches, full  concierge services  and of course our full four course candlelit gourmet breakfast!

Visit our new Area Attractions page on the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast website to see interactive maps of the area. We are adding to them all the time. You will be amazed by how much there is to see and do on the North Fork and at Shorecrest we offer the concierge services that help you make the most of your time here. We look forward to welcoming you to Shorecrest and the North Fork soon.

A North Fork Wine and Food Appreciation Experience

At this wine tasting and food pairing class at a local winery you will:

• Meet the wine maker and tour the vineyard.

• Learn about viticulture from vineyard to barrel, from bottle to glass, from pouring to tasting!

• Taste up to 8 different wines paired with a generous smorgasbord of cheeses, fruits, savories and sweets, to teach you what goes with what!

• Leave with your own set of tasting notes on the wines you have sampled, an aroma wheel explaining the mysteries of wine appreciation and a knowledge of how to judge and appreciate wine.

Use your EXCLUSIVE  24 winery discount card to continue exploring the vineyards of the North Fork of Long Island, enjoying complimentary tastings and generous discounts along the way.

Dates available:

• Saturday  June 12th

5-6:30 pm, 7:30-9 pm

• Saturday  July 10th

5-6:30pm, 7:30-9pm

• Saturday July 24th

5-630pm, 7:30-9pm

• Saturday August 7th

5-630pm, 7:30-9p

• Saturday August  21st

5-6:30pm, 7:30-9pm

Couples Golf 2 Night Getaway

Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast, located on the Long Island Sound less than a five minute drive from Island’s End Golf course is the perfect place to ‘come home to’ after a satisfying yet tiring day on the links!

Enjoy 1 round of golf for two including cart and club rental at Island’s End Golf Course

2 luxurious nights in a queen room at the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast

Full gourmet breakfast each day

Complimentary beverage and snacks (available 3pm until early evening)

Golfers also receive our 24 Winery Discount and Free Tastings Certificate EXCLUSIVE to guests of Shorecrest and other NFBBA member BnB’s!

Dates and Rates for Golfing stays:

June – Labor Day weekend

$375 per person, 2 night stay

Fall and winter (Post Labor day through April 30^th)

$365 per person, 2 night stay

Weeknight Couple golf package – Sunday thru Thursday (except July and August):

Deduct $25 from per person rate for two night weekday package

Holiday Rates

Add $25 per day national holidays

The Shorecrest beach on Long Island Sound after a spring storm

We’re expecting some beautiful weather and this is the  FINAL WEEKEND of the 2010 RUN FOR THE ROSES campaign!

VISIT PARTICIPATING WINERIES TO SAMPLE THEIR EXCELLENT ROSÉ WINES and contribute to a very important cause: ONE DOLLAR OF EVERY BOTTLE OF ROSÉ PURCHASED DURING THE MONTH WILL BE DONATED TO CANCERCARE.

The current list of offers this weekend includes:

WINERIES:

Bella Vita Vineyard:
Receive a free wine glass with every purchase of our Bella Vita Rosé. $1 from every bottle sold will be donated to CancerCare. Food pairings every weekend from 12 – 6pm.  Call 631 734 8282 for more information.

Bouké Wines:
During the month of May, sample Bouké’s Rosé as part of the special tasting menu at The Tasting Room in Peconic. $1.00 from every bottle of Bouké Rosé sold will be donated to CancerCare. ALSO: Taste our Rosé at Claudio’s Restaurant in Greenport throughout the month.

Castello di Borghese:
ALL SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS IN MAY: ALL SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS IN MAY: Choose any Tasting Flight at Castello di Borghese and we will include a complimentary extra taste of our Rosé Fleurette ’08. For every bottle of our rosé, Fleurette sold, one dollar will be donated to CancerCare.

Comtesse Therese:
During the month of May, sample Comtesse Therese’s Rosé as part of the special tasting menu at The Tasting Room in Peconic. $1.00 or every bottle of Comtesse Therese Rosé sold will be donated to CancerCare.

Clovis Point:
During the month of May, $1 per bottle of Rosé sold will be donated to CancerCare.

Croteaux Vineyard:
Every Saturday in May, 1 pm: “French Crepe Demonstration” by Paula Croteaux owner of Farmhouse Kitchen Cooking School. Recipes & Crepe Sampling will be included with our tasting. During the month, $1 per Rosé 3- pack will be donated to CancerCare. Come to the Croteaux Tasting Barn and see our beautiful Spring gardens!

Duck Walk North and South:
During May, Duck Walk is pleased to donate $1.00 of each bottle of Windmill Blush to CancerCare.

Harbes Family Farm and Vineyards:
During the month of May, one dollar from each bottle of Rosé sold will be donated to the CancerCare.

Jamesport Vineyards:
Every weekend in May, Jamesport will feature our Rosé wine with fresh local oysters.
$1 per bottle of Rosé sold will be donated to CancerCare.

Lieb Family Cellars:
Complimentary tastings of our white merlot all through May.

Macari Vineyards & Winery:
During the month of May, $1 per bottle of Rosé sold during the month will be donated to CancerCare!

Martha Clara Vineyard:
During May, Martha Clara will donate $1 from each two or more bottle sale of Rose to CancerCare.

One Woman Wines:
May 29: LIVE MUSIC (weather permitting)
Every weekend: Enjoy a special cheeseplate with a glass of our Rose ($11) and throughout the month purchase a case of our Rose for only $100 (regularly $144); AND if our Goat has a baby in May, we will name it Rosie, and it will be in the pasture up front for everyone to see!!!

Palmer Vineyards:
During the month of May: Free Tastings of current Blushes and Rosé(s) every Saturday and Sunday. 10% discount on any wine purchase of 3 bottles or more.

Pindar:
Throughout May, Pindar is pleased to donate $1.00 of each bottle of Spring Splendor sold in the tasting room during the month of May to CancerCare.

Roanoke Vineyards:
Purchase a bottle of our Rosé and $1 will be donated to CancerCare.

Waters Crest Winery:
May 29, 3 – 5pm Alley O designer cookies will be releasing the exclusive COCO VIN Waters Crest cookie, paired with our new 2009 Rosé. Visit www.waterscrestwinery.com for more details.

Wolffer Estate Vineyards:
Visit the Wolffer Estate Wine Stand on the Montauk Highway:Purchase a bottle of our Rosé and $1 will be donated to CancerCare.

RESTAURANTS:

A Mano: During the month of May, NO CORKAGE FEE on any Long Island Rosé purchased at local wineries.

Amarelle: For the entire month of May, Domaines Corey Creek Rosé 2008 will be paired with an appetizer especially prepared for the Run for the Rosés.
May 27, 6:30: A six course wine pairing dinner with Bedell Cellars including Corey Creek Rosé 2008

Claudio’s Restaurant & Clam Bar: Throughout May, sample a special selection of Long Island Rosés by the glass.

Plus if you are staying at the Shorecrest BnB or one of our rental houses you get to use our fabulous beach on Long Island Sound or launch your kyaks from our other beach on the inlet behind the BnB.

We look forward to seeing you at the Shorecrest and on the North Fork soon and wish you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

Warm days in April are some of the best times to walk the trails of the  Arshamomaque nature preserve on Chapel Lane in Greenport, Long Island, a two minute drive from the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast on the way to Greenport village.

The preserve is 51 acres, part of the Long Island Pine Barrens Maritime Reserve and listed for protection because of its exceptional scenic, biological and recreational resources and at this time of year offers a rare and brief opportunity to see and photograph the Vernal ponds .

Reflections in a vernal pond

This week the weather was perfect, mild but with a crispness in the air, and as the trees had not yet leafed out there was nothing to restrict the view of the magical reflections in the ponds, which cover a large area of the preserve at the end of winter.

Swamp Cottonwood in early Spring

These expanses of water which only exist for a short time as a result of the snows and rains of winter will dry up entirely as the weather warms but not before the many animals that depend on them, especially for breeding will have completed one important cycle of their lives. Most of these animals such as frogs, toads, turtles, and salamanders spend a majority of their life in the nearby wetlands but migrate to breed or feed in these productive vernal pools. Fingernail clams and air-breathing snails live their entire life in vernal pools and must burrow beneath leaves and mud when the pool dries until the water returns. Fairy shrimp produce eggs that remain in the dry pool after the adult’s death and hatch after the pool refills.

Wood anenomes carpet the forest floor in April

Arial photographs indicate that sixty percent of the preserve was once farmed. Over time fields were left fallow and resulted in the mixed stages of plant succession that you can see as you pass along the trails. Some meadow like areas are at early stages of development and still dominated by grasses and perennial herbs, providing food and cover for white tailed deer, bobwhite quail and eastern cottontails.

A grassy meadow within the preserve

A large area is at the shrub land stage where eastern red cedar and northern bayberry prevail, providing cover for animals to sleep, roost and escape predators. Finally stands of black locusts, a fast growing deciduous tree represent a more advanced stage of succession, and these will eventually, in many years give way to beeches, oaks and hickories.

Reflections in the Marsh

The preserve also includes an example of a swamp cottonwood forest, rare in NY State, also mixed with other swamp hardwoods which support specialized bird and animal populations.

The short or the long trail- you choose

The blue trail will take you to the bird observation tower, a tree house like structure with a view over the marsh.

Bird spotting from the tree house blind

I brought my iphone with the ‘chirp!USA’ app, a bird song and photograph identification tool that I have used in my back yard to attract different species to my feeders. This time I played the Redwing blackbird song and sure enough, within minutes an interested male of the species was checking out the source – of  a rival or possible mate? – not being a bird, I really had no way to tell!

Male Redwing blackbird checking out my iphone

Arshamomaque is only one of many preserves on the North Fork which offer such quiet and tranquil beauty all year round including the National Audubon Society preserve just a few minutes from the Shorecrest . I will be writing about the others soon in this blog and reporting back as they change with the season.

Cattail Marsh viewed from the bird blind

I hope you will find the time to visit and enjoy them too, and ask us about our special discounts for National Audubon and Garden Conservancy members for off season and mid week stays, and a private tour of the Shorecrest gardens.

March view from the bird blind

The Shorerest Bed and Breakfast gardens are predominantly planted up with perennials and a generous dose of annuals, mostly self seeded from the previous year, to maintain color and fill in gaps when the perrenial borders aren’t quite up to par.

I’ll be writing about them in my next blog post  and following up with progressive articles as they change throughout the year

We look forward to welcoming you to Shorecrest soon and would love to be your guide and helper as you explore the natural beauty of the North Fork.

As the name suggests, Island’s End Golf Course is at the far end of the North Fork, just a few miles from Orient Point and a five minute drive to the east from Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast, in one of the most beautiful spots on Long Island. You can golf here year round, except for Christmas Day and public players can book tee times 7 days in advance. The golf course and country club is semi private and includes a Pro Shop, driving range, practice putting green, sand trap and chipping areas. You can rent clubs, take private and group lessons, and refreshments are available at the restaurant and bar or beverage cart on weekends.
Island’s end has a great reputation for the quality of the course and its natural beauty. For a spectacular sunset view, plan on playing the 16th hole, which extends to the bluffs looking west over the Long Island Sound, towards the end of the day. If you play earlier, you can always be back at the Shorecrest in time to stroll across to our own beach and toast the sun as it dips behind the horizon with a glass of wine or a beer sitting in one of our Adirondack chairs. Ask for some crackers and cheese to take with you and we will be happy to oblige!
Island’s End is located on route 25 in Greenport, and like Shorecrest, a reasonable drive from any part of Long Island. But positioned as we both are, in the North Fork’s most rural and bucolic area, you feel that you have entered a different world from the largely urban or suburban landscape you will find on the rest of the island. Driving from New York City or the west, as you approach Riverhead, take exit 71 north, then turn right onto Sound Avenue. You will avoid traffic bottlenecks of the Tanger outlets and immediately enter farm country. A half hour drive past miles of wineries and farms, where almost every country road or lane will eventually take you to a secret beach or quiet harbor, will calm the mind and get you ready for your North Fork getaway.
Shorecrest is offering special packages for our golfing visitors. During April, add only $40 for each person golfing to the cost of your stay and we will include a pre-booked T time with golf cart and free club rentals should you need them (you can demo the latest from the golf shop!)
For more golf packages including massage and spa options for the non golfer, dinner packages, to go breakfasts and picnic lunches check out ‘specials and packages’ on the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast reservation and availability calendar, or call us with your special requests. We will be delighted to help make your stay a memorable one!

Cedar Beach Country Park in Southold is a 68 acre park with over 2,800 feet on Shelter Island Sound.  From the part, visitors can enjoy great vistas of Shelter Island Sound and the saltwater marshes of Cedar Beach Harbor. 

Arshamomaque Point in Southold encompasses a 54-acres wooded preserve with several trails that wind through mature woodlands, ponds, and saltwater wetlands.

Arshamomaque Preserve in Greenport is a 120 acre preserved owned by the Town of Southold.  They have 1.3 miles of nature trails that wander through mature woodlands, freshwater wetlands, and open fields. 

Inlet Pond Park in Greenport enjoys a 55 acre preserve with 1.6 miles of trails leading to Inlet Pond and Long Island Sound.  The North Fork Audubon has a visitor’s center and also offers nature programs. 

Dam Pond Maritime Reserve in East Marion is a 36 acre reserve also owned by the Town of Southold.  Here you can enjoy a small protected bay, grasslands, saltwater marshes and woodlands.  There is also a trail that wanders through the reserve which is 1.2 miles long.  

It will take some time to try them all, but we will enjoy having you as our guest at the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast as you explore the North Fork of Long Island

If you prefer to have guided tours, most Sundays and Tuesdays they offer Family Nature Walks.  This is an opportunity to learn about birds, plants, and animals that live on the North Fork.  Be sure to check their calendar for their up-to-date schedule.  For the remainder of October the walks are scheduled for October 18, 20, 25, and 27th. 

Every third Tuesday of the month features “Tuesdays with Tom”.    He is sure to entertain as he guides you along the North Fork to enjoy a little hiking and bird watching.  On Tuesday, October 20th he will visit Jamaica Bay in search for migrating hawks and falcons.  He notes that merlins can also be found along this route.  Make sure to save the date of November 17th for another of his guided days.

Programs and Presentations are also in abundance at the North Fork Audubon Society.  Friday, November 18th will host a presentation on the Calverton Grasslands.  Calverton Grasslands is home to many protected species and will discuss how they utilize the grassland habitat.

The North Fork Audubon Society offers guests of the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast year around activities.  We know you will enjoy them!