NOVEMBER 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 79
PRESS BUZZ: DESTINATIONS
RUNNING WITH THE BULL
And it would be downright criminal
to not specifically mention the many
advantages of Smithtown’s prime
location on the Nissequogue River.
When weather permits, a day spent
paddling this scenic waterway is
the very definition of idyllic, and
Nissequogue River Canoe & Kayak
Rentals (Paul T. Given County Park,
Routes 25 and 25A, 631-979-8244,
canoerentals.com) is there to make it
happen for you. Trips begin (or end)
at the Nissequogue River State Park
in Kings Park, or the headwaters at
Smithtown’s Paul T. Given County
Park. Transportation to and from the
launch is provided.
UNDER THE LIGHTS
Smithtown’s convenient, central
location on Suffolk’s North Shore
makes it an ideal destination for
arts and cultural events, notably
at the Smithtown Center for the
Performing Arts (2 E. Main St.,
631-724-3700, smithtownpac.org),
presenting a range of musical and
theatrical events throughout the
year. Now entering its 18th season,
the center’s 2019-20 calendar includes
performances of Annie, The Taming
of the Shrew, Green Day’s American
Idiot: The Musical, The Addams
Family, and A Chorus Line. There’s
also a children’s theatre and upcoming
special appearances like The Cast
of Beatlemania (multiple dates) and
Desert Highway Band’s tribute to the
Eagles (Dec. 14).
POTENT POTABLES
Wine tasting on Long Island is always
a surefire activity, but you might not
always have the time for a lengthy
ride out to the East End. That’s why it’s
all the more enticing that Smithtown
is home to Harmony Vineyards (169
Harbor Rd., Head of the Harbor, 631-
291-9900, harmonyvineyards.com),
sustainably farmed by viticulturist
Stephen Mudd and featuring wines
crafted by Eric Fry. Sample Harmony’s
Bordeaux-style red blends, Chablis
style chardonnays, local beers
and gourmet plates year-round in its
historic circa-1690 waterfront tasting
room and vineyard terrace. Special
events include “Drink-In Theatre”
on Friday nights and “Tasting Notes
Jazz Club” on Thursday and Saturday
nights.
Smithtown’s drinking and nightlife
scene isn’t all fancy wines and exotic
cheeses, either. There are several
time-honored watering holes in town
where the drafts flow, the wings sizzle
and the big-screen TVs glimmer.
Croxley Ale House Smithtown (155
W. Main St., 631-656-8787, croxley.
com) is one can’t-miss choice, with 52
varieties of beer and cider on tap, 34
bottled brands and six more served in
cans. Check out the new and seasonal
varieties, the extensive dining menu
and the weekly specials, including
Taco Tuesdays, Wednesday Historic
Wing Nights and Happy Hour specials
Monday through Friday.
Similarly classic and heavily frequented
is Napper Tandy’s Irish
Pub (15 E. Main St., 631-360-0606,
nappertandysirishpub.com), which
hosts a steady calendar of live bands
and a young, lively crowd of partyers.
Weekly drink specials and themed
nights keep the beverages flowing,
as well as Napper’s All-Day Happy
Hour from Monday through Friday.
There’s also a surprisingly intriguing
dining menu, with atypical pub
grub like duck empanadas with Thai
chili sauce and Brussels sprouts with
honey lime Sriracha sauce, alongside
classic burgers, fish and chips and
shepherd’s pie.
A night out in Smithtown can even
WHERE TO DINE
Aji 53
1 Miller Pl., 631-979-0697, aji53.com
Café Havana
944 W. Jericho Tpke., 631-670-6277,
cafehavanali.com
Casa Rustica Restaurant
175 W. Main St., 631-265-9265,
casarustica.net
Chop Shop
47 E. Main St., 631-360-3383,
chopshopbarandgrill.com
Ciro’s Pizza
546 Smithtown Bypass, 631-724-
5745, cirospizzany.com
The Garden Grill
64 N. Country Rd., 631-265-8771,
thegardengrill.com
H20 Seafood & Sushi
215 W. Main St., 631-361-6464,
h2oseafoodsushi.com
Javier’s Cafe
101 E. Main St., 631-406-7712,
javierscafe.net
Maureen’s Kitchen
108 Terry Rd., 631-360-9227
Thai House
53 W. Main St., 631-979-5242,
thaihousesmithtown.com
take on an otherworldly twist. One
of the town’s most mythical hangouts,
Katie’s of Smithtown (145 W. Main
St., 631-360-8556, katiesofsmithtown.
com), regularly packs ‘em in thanks
to its friendly bartenders, back patio
and live music, but the establishment
is also reportedly haunted, so there’s
that, too. And while I can’t guarantee
you’ll experience the supernatural
yourself, you’ll definitely want to
haunt Katie’s brand-new food truck.
Even more legendary than the purported
ghosts is Katie’s signature
mac daddy cone: a waffle cone stuffed
with creamy mac and cheese. Nothing
scary there.
A crisp blue sky filled with fluffy clouds over the mouth of the Nissequoque River of Long Island. (Getty Images)
/casarustica.net
/canoerentals.com
/smithtownpac.org
/harmonyvineyards.com
/nappertandysirishpub.com
/aji53.com
/cafehavanali.com
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
/chopshopbarandgrill.com
/cirospizzany.com
/thegardengrill.com
/h2oseafoodsushi.com
/javierscafe.net
/thaihousesmithtown.com
