The fall incarnation of Long Island Restaurant week — now in its 20th year — is upon us, with an ample menu’s worth of three-course dinners and two-course lunch options at pocket-easier pricing for the week of Sunday, Nov. 1 to Sunday Nov. 8. There are a 29 participating restaurants between the North and South forks, Riverhead, Baiting Hollow, Wading River, Speonk and Eastport, this year offering even better pricing, with either $30, $40 or $48 three-course prix-fixe dinners and, in some spots, $25 two-course lunches, too. (Note: not all do Saturday night for the prix fixe, and if they do it ends by 7 p.m., so plan accordingly).
Hit up the LIRW website for more details, and check out our list of local restaurants getting in on the action, including…
SOUTH FORK:
Bistro Eté, 760 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, [email protected] — Head to chef Arie and Liz Pavlou’s lovely Water Mill spot, famed for his dry-aged steaks (they actually have a steak club!) for his inspired French and Mediterranean-leaning fare. If you’ve never treated yourself, this is a great opportunity to become a fan via their $48 prix fixe.
Bridgehampton Inn & Restaurant, 2266 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-3660 — We love how special it feels to dine at this thoroughly lovely Hamptons haunt, but it’s chef Alejandro Osorio’s bespoke menu that keeps us coming back. They’re back for another round of Restaurant Week, offering highlights from the menu at $48 for a three-course prix fixe.
Cowfish, 258 Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-594-3868 — there’s always something to pique you palate’s interest at this fun, seaside spot in Hampton Bays, who’ll be offering a three-course $40 dinner at this playful, laid-back Hampton Bays spot.
Elaia Estiatorio, 95 School St., Bridgehampton, 631-613-6469 — This cozy, elegant little Greek haven tucked around the corner from Bridgehampton’s Candy Kitchen is a local treasure. If you’ve never been (or are just looking for an easy reason to go back) they’re $48 prix fixe offers a taste of their scaled-up Greek dishes for a pocket-easy night out.
Fauna, 6 Parlato Drive, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-3500 — Always a hot ticket in Westhampton Beach, if this is on your hit list, book ASAP for their $48 three-course dinner prix fixe to get an ample taste of this excellent New American menu.
Flora, 149 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-998-9600 — the Rooted Hospitality sweet little sister spot to Fauna is offering a $48 dinner prix fixe, too, in their whimsical dining room.
Frankie’s Fabulous Italiano, 44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton, 631-604-8181 — in the space that once house Little Charli, Frankie’s has established itself as a great casual date-night spot for wood-fired pizza and Italian-American faves. For Restaurant Week, expect as much, but with some nice menu muscle-flex with dishes like their pan-seared tuna with housemate pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes on the three-course $40 prix fixe.
Fresno, 11 Fresno Place, East Hampton, 631-324-8700 — The pretty dining room with its dazzling light fixtures made by owner Michael Nolan’s talented designer spouse, Helen Gifford, are an attraction on their own, but but exec chef Jesus Gonzalez’s way in the kitchen is the true draw. Check it out with their three-course $48 prix fixe.
Jack’s Grill, 295 Montauk Highway, Speonk, 631-898-6003 — Get cozy at a red-and-white checkered cloth-topped tables and dig into American and Italian favorites (a Little Gem Caesar salad with sourdough croutons, deep fried olives with melted pecorino, rigatoni alla Norma and Amish brick chicken with melty leeks and plush mashed potatoes).
Lola’s Kitchen, 13 Eastport Manor Road, Eastport, 631-604-9500 — Newcomer to the East End Lola’s is jumping right into Restaurant Week, and if you haven’t made it this is a great excuse to head to Eastport and check out their culture-crossing menu. The $48 prix fixe has central offerings plus options for upgrades.
LT Burger, 62 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-899-4646 — Chef Laurent Tourondel does soda fountain faves just right, with burgers aplenty, shakes, hand-cut fries, wings, nachos — all for a sweet $40 prix fixe during restaurant week.
Miracle, 29 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-646-1129 — Michael Nolan’s return to his hometown this year made Miracle an often fully booked ticket, so now’s the time to get your rez in early for this popular new Sag Harbor spot offering a $48 prix fixe.
Nick & Toni’s, 136 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-3550 — East Hampton’s dining destination still rules supreme here, and their $48 three-course dinner prix fixe is an excellent example of why chef Joe Realmuto’s food remains popular out here. There’s lots to love on the Resto Week menu here and many nods to the local landscape, like Balsam Farms baby kale salad with roasted figs, sweet Gorgonzola and roasted pumpkin seeds, grilled local striped bass and Concord grape-rosemary sorbet. Yes, please!
R.AIRE at The Hampton Maid, 259 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-728-4184 — Paella purveyor chef Alex Bujoreanu has a lovely $48 three-course prix fixe menu that’s an edible tour of Spain, from chicken pintxo with Moroccan couscous and mojo verde to paella demarisco and mushroom fideua, (and flan for dessert), transport yourself to España for far less than flying.
Rumba Island Inspired Cuisine & Rum Bar, 43 Canoe Place Road, Hampton Bays, 631-594-3544 — This Hampton Bays spot with a Caribbean kick is offering a spicy, finger lickin’ $40 prix fix for Restaurant Week.
Shippy’s, 36 Windmill Lane, Southampton, 631-581-5678 — Boost your Bavarian intake with Shippy’s $25 two-course lunch or $48 three-course dinner.
Stone Creek Restaurant, 405 Montauk Highway, East Quogue, 631-653-6770 — Special occasions should be everyday, and having Stone Creek on the Restaurant Week list this fall makes that an entirely attainable goal, via their $48 prix fixe three course.
Sundays on the Bay, 369 Dune Road, Hampton Bays, 631-728-2611 — New to Restaurant Week, this sunset-situated surf-and-turf spot has a $48 prix fixe with irresistible plates like duck confit and scallops with Aleppo chili butter, lobster and kimchi ramen, flounder Milanese and Long Island cheese pumpkin tortelli.
The Palm, 94 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0411 — An 8 oz. center cut filet? Lobster ravioli? Prime Manhattan strip? Classic Palm will be at your service with a $48 prix fixe offering classic favorites at this storied spot nestled in the historic Huntting Inn.
Trumpets on the Bay, 58 S. Bay Ave., Eastport, 631-325-2900 — With gorgeous views of Moriches Bay and an elegant white table cloth atmosphere, Trumpets is a date night supreme, and with a $48 prix fixe planned for this autumnal Restaurant Week, a pocket friendly one at that to sample their continental menu offerings.
Union, 256 Elm St., Southampton, Southampton, 631-287-1400 — a new name (they lost the Burger Bar part), a merge (with Southampton Social Club) and a move (from Bowden Square to Elm Street) has given a new, spiffed up image for Union, and you can check out what’s new via their $25 prix fixe lunch and $48 dinner offerings for Restaurant Week.
Westhampton Beach Brew and Grill, Westhampton Beach, 631-281-9464 — our favorite brewery owners launched their second pub in Westhampton Beach this past summer, and we’ve been loving the good vibes and creative twists on pub favorites here. For Restaurant Week, they’re offering both a $25 lunch and $40 dinner, with faves like Boom Boom Shrimp, classic Bavarian pretzels, chimichurri-topped 16 oz. flatiron steak and fish and chips.
NORTH FORK:
Bistro 72, 1830 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-3325 — a three-course, autumn-skewed version of their classic menu will be available for a $40 dinner prix, with starters like lump crab cakes kicked up with fresh jalapeño, creamed corn and heirloom tomatoes and mains like pan roasted herb chicken with sweet potato mash — and perhaps a cider donut for dessert? ‘Tis the season!. Coffee or tea included for dinner, and the $25 lunch, too.
Cooperage Inn, 2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, 631-727-8944 — You really can’t go wrong with either prix fixe offering, but it’s nice that the convivial Cooperage gives you options, be it a $40 or $48 version of the three-course prix fixe. From ample baked clams and seafood bisque to chicken pot pie (naturally! it’s their calling card, after all) or braised short ribs with French onion gnocchi, you won’t go hungry.
Farm Country Kitchen, 513 W. Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-6310 — This waterside North Fork gem’s $48 prix fixe is offering an abundance of riches, like truffle ricotta on toasted ciabatta, coffee crusted pork ribs, roast half duck, Roman papardelle with shrimp and spinach and multitudes more.
La Plage Restaurant, 131 Creek Road, Wading River, 631-744-9200 — Have you had a special occasion here? Likely. Chef Wayne Waddington’s lovely seaside spot is truly special. He’ll be working his magic in the kitchen for a $48 three-course dinner prix fixe for LIRW this season (and it’s well worth it!).
Legends, 835 1st St., New Suffolk, 631-734-5123 — Come for the burgers, stay for the sushi — and definitely order both. Warm and welcoming and a bit off the beaten path, there’s always good reason to go to Legends, but the $48 dinner prix fixe and $25 lunch prix fixe at this seaside spot offers even more urgency.
On the Docks, 177 Meeting House Creek Road, Aquebogue, 631-886-1160 — For a cool 40 bucks, you can get in on the seaside prix fixe at this friendly, easy-going popular North Fork eatery. Warm up with some French onion soup gratinée or baked clams, a generous dish of coq au vin (yes, with those cute little pearl onions!) or pork shoulder Normande with apples in a calvados-dijon-cream sauce and gaze at the water for a perfect NoFo night on the town.
Pete’s Taverna, 3225 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-318-9600 — this year-round Greek spot offers traditional, satisfying flavors from the Mediterranean. Three-course dinners are from 4 to 9 p.m. (with half off select bottles of wine to sweeten the deal) and lunch offers a fun mash-up of Greek and American faves.
