New York Lobster Roll & Wine Picks
A year ago, we were at Walt Disney World during the Food & Wine Festival, and one of our favorites there was the lobster roll from the Barley and Hops booth in Epcot’s American Pavilion. This year, pandemic and all, we’ve pretty much been at home in New York, so my husband and I decided to do our own mini-version of a Food & Wine Festival. Ha! Actually, it’s more of a Lobster Roll & Wine Favorites List. While cruising has paused and other travel has slowed due to the pandemic, we do hope that our fellow cruisers and/or travel-lovers have found ways to safely explore locally. From our local outings, here are My Cruising Family’s New York Lobster Roll & Wine Picks!
Lobster Picks
The Rex Burger & Lobster
524 Jericho Turnpike
Mineola, NY 11501
In addition to their large, tasty lobster rolls, The Rex Burger & Lobster offers a variety of ways to enjoy my favorite seafood, including lobster burgers, lobster fries, and steak and lobster sandwiches. We’ve had the classic lobster rolls, lobster cheese fries, lobster burgers (really, they’re Rex Burgers with lobster added, but it’s easier for me to just say “lobster burgers”), and regular fries. The juicy lobster rolls can be ordered chilled or warmed with butter. The scrumptious lobster cheese fries are covered with cheese and large chunks of lobster. The mouthwatering lobster burgers consist of angus beef, cheese, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and Rex sauce, and we enjoy this with a side of regular fries. I’m looking forward to trying The Rex steak and lobster sandwich next! There are many other non-burger and non-lobster items on The Rex’s menu, including specialty shakes. Due to the pandemic, at the times we’ve visited The Rex, it has been open for order pick-up, curbside delivery, and regular delivery.
Listennnnn, I don’t usually do food trucks, but this one is probably the cleanest food truck EVER! Add to that, the quick seafood selections are delicious! We’ve had the Maine lobster rolls and lobster tots. Sure, we’ve also had the yummy shrimp tacos, but we won’t focus on that yummy goodness since this is a lobster roll and wine favorites list. The Maine lobster rolls are smaller than those at the Rex, but they’re also a bit less expensive, so that’s fair. Although smaller, they are also deliciously juicy. The succulent, warmed chunks of Maine lobster, served with cilantro lime sauce and pico de gallo on the lobster tots are most delightful! Ugh! My mouth is watering thinking about it! The Cousins Maine Lobster food truck moves throughout New York City and Long Island, so while you may just happen to see it in your neighborhood like we did when we first tried it, you can also check the schedule online at https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/truck/new-york-city-ny/.
As we prepare to share our picks for wine in New York during the pandemic, Southold Fish Market has to be on the list because it is conveniently located near Long Island’s North Fork Wine Trail. Being a fish market, there are lots of seafood choices there, of course. Among those, are a variety of lobster choices, including lobster mac and cheese, lobster bisque, and of course, lobster rolls. With an order of lobster rolls, guests may select a salad or fries. We selected fries. These mouthwatering lobster rolls are delicious and filling and pair very well with a glass of wine. Orders can be placed in advance or in person. Orders may be picked up, and seating is available outside of the fish market if guests would like to eat there.
Wine Experience Picks – As everyone’s palette is different, these selections are more about the experience than they are about the actual wines. That said, the wine we tasted and selected from these venues were all great quality.
44535 Route 25 (Main Road)
Southhold, NY 11971
We are in love with Duck Walk Vineyards, North Fork, which we visited on a beautiful Autumn day, and where service was welcoming and friendly. Many vineyards along the wine trail do not allow guests to bring food onto their premises. However, Duck Walk Vineyards allows guests to bring their own picnic lunch. So, there, we enjoyed our lobster lunch from Southold Fish Market alongside flights that we selected, which included a 2019 Chardonnay, 2019 Pinot Grigio, 2018 Riesling, Windmill Blush, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Brut Sparkling Wine, and 2016 Blueberry Port dessert wine. We then selected and purchased our favorite wines from the tasting, which were the Pinot Grigio, Brut Sparkling Wine, and the Blueberry Port.
We felt as though we had the peaceful vineyard all to ourselves, which was beautiful! When we arrived, there was only one small group of ladies already sitting outside near the gazebo, and they left within the first hour we were there. We ate at one of the socially-distanced picnic tables, then we took our time to stroll through the vineyard and capture some moments through photo and video. Other moments, we just shared between us and God. It truly provided the perfect setting for a laid back, romantic date. For the serene experience that we had at this family-owned vineyard, we highly recommend visiting the vineyard early on a weekend or on a weekday on which you’re off from work. It should be noted that Duck Walk Vineyards has another location in the Hamptons, and both locations are family-friendly, so children are welcome.
46005 NY-25,
Southold, NY 11971
I enjoyed a day out at Mattebella Vineyards to celebrate one of my besties’ 40th birthday! We had reserved an outdoor area with seats around a firepit, adjacent to a large dining table, at this small family-owned sustainable vineyard. Of course, due to the pandemic, the maximum capacity for this gathering was 10. Thanks to the firepit and the warm welcome and service from one of the owners and her son, the experience was really warm and cozy even on one of the coldest Autumn days so far. Of course, the vineyard offers a variety of flights, and for this occasion, we enjoyed the Vintner’s Select Flight which included the celebratory 2013 Blanc de Blancs, 2017 Steel Chardonnay, 2013 Reserve Chardonnay, 2019 Rosé, Famiglia Red, 2011 Old World Blend, 2013 Old World Blend, and 2015 Old World Blend. Of these, my favorite was the 2013 Blanc de Blancs, which is not a casual wine, but is a very special wine to be reserved for celebrations.
—
Both vineyards require masks to be worn at all times, except when seated at your outdoor table. Social distancing was super easy at both vineyards. Also, being the only ones at our specific location at each vineyard, we were allowed to take a few photos and mini-videos without our masks on, as there was no one else in the space.
I hope these selections for lobster rolls and wine are helpful to you. Lobster is one of our favorite foods, and now, vineyards are among our favorite venues. A few hours out at a vineyard is especially appreciated right now, during a pandemic in which we’ve spent a lot of time inside.
Definitely let us know if you try any of these after reading this and what your experience is like! Please let us know if you’ve already tried any of these, or want to try one or all of them and have questions.
Do enjoy! Stay safe and be well!
