February 16, 2025

We are deep into winter on the North Fork.  The farmstands sport signs saying, “See you in the spring,” the snow fences are strung across the fields, and some restaurants and shops are taking a winter break.  However, a relatively new place in Mattituck is very much open.  The Clam Bar, filling a space previously used by several other restaurants, welcomed our family group, which included two youngsters, warmly, and did a great job accommodating our various needs.

Why is a wine and beer blog commenting on a restaurant?  Because it is affiliated with Alize Brewing, featuring their beer on tap.  Plus, we hadn’t ventured out in quite a while. Also, it takes a lot to lure us away from our warm fireside when the weather is so…yucky, to use the technical term.

Speaking of fireside, a crackling fire in a fireplace was the first thing we noticed, as we entered through the bar area, before proceeding into the dining room.  We’ve been in this room during previous iterations, and the décor seems pretty much the same, rustic and somewhat maritime-y. 

However, the food was an improvement.  We shared a special of bacon-wrapped scallops in maple syrup, which everyone agreed was yummy.  I had another special of short ribs with mashed potatoes and baby carrots ($34), and my tasting buddy had the fish and chips ($24).  Others had the whole steamed lobster with corn and tater tots ($39)—the latter replaced by sweet potato fries for one member of the group who can’t have onion—a huge Caesar salad ($13), crisp onion rings ($7), and chicken fingers from the children’s menu ($12).  The chicken fingers looked freshly made, not those commercial pre-formed ones I’ve seen other places. We were all happy with our choices, including our beverages.

True to its affiliation with a brew pub, Clam Bar offers a flight of its beers, which my husband and I opted to share.  Our guests liked them so much that they ordered a glass of one of them to go with their lobsters. 

The grown-ups were too full for dessert, but the little ones shared a huge dessert featuring a chocolate brownie or cake and a pile of whipped cream.  My husband and I took home enough leftovers for dinner the following night.

(One comment on the menu—someone needs to go through it and eliminate all the excess apostrophes!)

As to the beers (four tastes of the Tradewinds beers for $12):

•  House Boat

This is an IPA, with lots of mango, pineapple, and other tropical tastes and aromas. (6.5% ABV)

• Porter

Lighter than a Guinness, this is nevertheless very satisfying, with deep tastes of chocolate and coffee. (5,9% ABV)

• Sunset

Very hoppy, with a piney taste and smell.  Ever been in a pine forest and wish you could drink it?  Then order the Sunset!

• Lager

This is a classic lager, your good basic beer, and what our guests ordered to drink with their lobster dinners. 

I finished the porter and lager with my dinner, and my tasting buddy was happy with the House Boat and Sunset. 

Reasons to visit:  classic brew pub with what we decided was a “straightforward” menu, with something for everyone; good beers on tap.  The staff was gracious and accommodating. I could see sitting at the bar with a glass of lager and a dozen clams and being very happy.