Dining in Stony Brook: 5 picks

When Ward Melville thought about Stony Brook, the businessman and landowner envisioned New England south. It has that quality and a lot more -- including some dining destinations. Here are five.

MIRABELLE RESTAURANT AND TAVERN

Now you can enjoy the restaurant menu in the more casual tavern, too. Guy Reuge's farm-to-table menu changes regularly. You might find escabeche of local root vegetables, local fluke steak with turnip-kraut, and butternut squash soup with fried Fisher Island oysters. $$$-$$$$

150 Main St. (Three Village Inn); 631-751-0555, lessings.com

ROBINSON'S TEA ROOM

Come for the scones, finger sandwiches, salads and assortment of teas. $

97 Main St.; 631-751-1232

PENTIMENTO

Memorable Italian food and a few New American twists define Dennis Young's dining room, small plates to large. Some favorites: cannelloni, gnocchi with duck ragu, baked ricotta, marinated and grilled artichokes, and salumi and cheeses. $$-$$$

93 Main St.; 631-689-7755,

pentimentorestaurant.net

RED TIGER DUMPLING HOUSE

This modest spot is mandatory for Shanghai-style soup dumplings, either crab or pork and crab versions. Also consider the crystal shrimp dumplings, double-cooked pork, Sichuan beef, shrimp with lobster sauce. $-$$

1320 Stony Brook Rd.; 631-675-6899, redtiger1320.weebly.com

COUNTRY HOUSE

Many weddings and parties take place at the prettily appointed Country House. From the regular menu, you can choose crabcakes, braised lamb shank, rigatoni with veal ragù, grilled filet mignon and strip steak. $$-$$$

1175 North Country Rd.; 631-751-3332, countryhouserestaurant.com

-- PETER M. GIANOTTI