Tip# 10: The Best 'Bistro' You Don't Know About

Bruce’s Cheese Emporium & Cafe has been a fixture in Greenport since 1974 serving as a coffeehouse, cafe and cheese shop.  Most locals and tourists alike head to Bruce's on the weekends for omelets, pancakes and french toast, or for a sandwich at lunchtime.  What many don't know is that Bruce's son -  Scott -  has taken the helm and has created a late-night, casual bistro open Thursday - Saturday, serving Farm to Table fare at very reasonable prices.  The wines by the glass are all local (Shinn, Bedell's) and the beer is Greenport Harbor Brewing Company on tap.

Scott's menu changes weekly based on what is fresh and available from the local farms and fishery.  Recently it featured Striped Bass Tar Tar (served with cornichon, truffle dijon, & flatbread), Crescent Duck Wings (with Blue Castello and shaved celery) and the NoFo Knuckle Sandwich (lobster knuckle, avocado, candy bacon, & watercress). This being the Cheese Emporium there is of course a beautiful cheese plate and a charcuterie plate. 

Don't let the menu fool you:  this joint is as casual as it gets for a dinner in Greenport. On Saturday night a local couple shared a meal at the bar, a family seated outside, kids in tow, enjoyed a light dinner and I enjoyed a glass of wine with a friend. You'll likely even find Scott behind the bar, taking a break and pouring himself a glass of Shinn wine, chatting with his customers. 

You can view the current bistro menu here: www.brucescheeseemp.com/Cheese_Emporium/bistro.html

Bruce’s Cheese Emporium & Cafe

208 Main Street in Greenport

631-477-0023

Closed Tues.

Breakfast & Lunch   8 - 4

Dinner Thurs., Fri., Sat. 6 - Till.....

Tip# 61: Have an Instant Picnic

Our own "NoFo" version of that lunch truck craze that swept Manhattan is called The Lunch Truck and is run by Chefs Hayden and Fleming of the famed North Fork Table and Inn.  As with the name, we keep things simple out here: there are no twitter updates to follow with the truck's current location. This lunch truck stays parked at the Southold location of the restaurant and inn located on Main Road. 

A sandwich along with a glass of lemonade or passion-fruit iced tea will cost around $10/person.  My recommendation is the artisan all-beef hot dog with apple cider glazed onions, to which I also add the bread & butter pickle relish. Chris's favorite sandwich is the North-Fork style pulled pork with pepper jack cheese sauce.  Both are served on homemade bread from nearby Blue Duck Bakery.  Service is always quick and friendly.  Yesterday being a weekend, there was a small crowd but we only waited 10 minutes to order and receive our food.

The most expensive item on the menu is the 100% Wild-Caught Lobster Roll at $16.50.  On the scale of Lobster Roll pricing on the East End this does not come near the high mark.  And when you consider that the North Fork Table is one of our nicest dining options on the North Fork, and Chef Hayden was a recent James Beard nominee, you realize what a bargain this really is. Don't forget to order Claudia's cookies or brownies for dessert. 

After you order, stroll around behind the truck and you'll see why I call it an instant picnic. There are Adirondack chairs as well as picnic blankets & cushions already set up under the trees for lounging with your meal.


The Lunch Truck is open 7 days a week from 11:30 - 3:30.  You can call ahead at 631-765-0177.

For the current Lunch Truck menu: http://northforktableandinn.com/the_lunch_truck/North_Fork_Table_and_Inn-Lunch_Truck_Menu.pdf

For the North Fork Table and Inn website: www.northforktableandinn.com