There's something romantic about a clam shack. It's a place to savor the fare of this transient season in the open air -- clams on the half shell, steamers dipped in melted butter, cool lobster rolls. At a clam shack, it's always summer. Here's a sampling of Long Island's best:
Clam Bar at Napeague
13595 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett
631-267-6348
There's invariably a crowd at this roadside stand with seating at umbrella tables. Blame the fab lobster rolls, steamers, fried clams and other seaside edibles.
Singleton's Seafood Shack
1 Ocean Pkwy.
( Tobay Beach), Massapequa
516-826-1610
singletonsseafoodshack.com
It doesn't get more scenic than this shack with umbrella table seating overlooking Tobay Beach. Here, you can catch a sunset before or after you've had a bowl of local steamers cooked in beer, a lobster roll or a grilled fish sandwich. The place is open to the public after 4 p.m.
Nick's Pizza Clam Bar
243 N. Country Rd., Smithtown
631-724-5427
Order at the counter and wait for your food to be delivered to an umbrella table at this outdoor spot that's somehow romantic despite its view of passing cars. The cherrystones are fresh and briny; slurp some with a squirt of fresh lemon. Linguini with white clam sauce is a standout; so is the crusty, cheesy pizza.
Kingston's Clam Bar
130 Atlantic Ave., West Sayville
631-589-0888
kingstonsclam.com
This scenic spot by the West Sayville Boat Basin feels like Key West. Paper and plastic dinnerware is a minor shortcoming. Try the steamed littlenecks with jalapeņos or have some sushi.
The Sea Slug Lounge
429 Cranberry Hole Rd., Amagansett
631-267-3341
Shhh ... don't tell the hoi polloi about this offbeat spot, known only to the cognoscenti. The Sea Slug Lounge at Fish Farm Multi Aquaculture Systems is the place to come for a lemony lobster roll and a stunning view of Gardiners Bay. Owners Bob and Marie Valenti raise and sell fish locally and nationwide; they also keep geese, cats, chickens and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Pull into the dirt driveway and look for the disco ball hanging outside the seafood market; order and find a seaside picnic table.
North Shore
