Seasonally focused farm-to-table cuisine at Ram’s Head Inn
Island. Mashomack Preserve encompasses nearly 2,100 acres and is home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife. Marked trails are available to hikers only, and visitors are encouraged to only take out what they take in. The Nature Conservancy, which partners with many other environmental organizations, aims to keep the area beautiful and preserved while promoting the enjoyment and conservation of nature to all. A narrow road bordered by water on either side offers a beautiful drive to a secluded little spot that has a lot of – you guessed it – history. The Ram’s Head Inn, just off of Ram Island Drive, was built in 1929 as an inn, and is still used as one today. The original structure echoes with times past as a registered historic physics site. That’s right, in the mid-1940s several physicists held themselves up in the inn as they tackled some of the most important and complex problems of quantum physics, and succeeded in a fundamental understanding of what was previously a mystery to many. On the food side, The Ram’s Head Inn
Sylvester Manor
restaurant serves New American food that focuses on seasonal farm-to-table food, with lots of seafood of course. With executive chef Matt Murphy now at the helm, the season is sure to be a delicious one. “His passion for food and knowledge of the abundance of ‘local delicacies’ make him the perfect fit for the Ram’s Head,” shares owner Linda Eklund. Expect dishes like poached halibut, Long Island Crescent Farms duck confit, and rack of lamb, all accompanied by greens and herbs from the on-premises garden. Should your journey through Shelter Island take you on an alternate route, you will find more inviting restaurants and things to do. Venturing toward Shelter Island Sound you will come upon one hotspot that is very Hamptons-esque; Sunset Beach. Yellow and white awnings and beach umbrellas are the waterfront establishment’s signature, letting boaters know they’ve reached the right place before they even hit the shore. Messy and undone, yet sophisticated and oozing with summer cool, the bikini-clad
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and happily tan are mingling in the restaurant and the sand just a few steps across the way. Owned by the famed hotelier André Balasz (think the infamous Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles), the boutique hotel, restaurant and bar offers coastal Italian fare and cuisine reminiscent of the French Riviera. And don’t forget that signature pink summer drink you just can’t say no to; the self-described “house elixir;” a chill glass of rosé. À votre santé! Traveling further down Shore Road, you will find the Pearlman Music Program and the Pridwin Hotel. Other notable establishments on Shelter Island include Vine Street Café, SALT restaurant, Shelter Island Country Club, Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, and seemingly endless beaches with access to numerous bays, harbors, and estuaries. To know the beauty of Shelter Island, you must experience it for yourself. Take the time to explore the ins and outs, sip and dine, and stay and play. Teeming with history and culture, Shelter Island is a gem of a place that no one should pass by.
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