Cooperage Inn — Restaurant in Town of Riverhead

We have stopped at the COOPERAGE INN several times before but only to pick up their Island famous NOFO POT PIES. However, today this stop was not only to pick up pies but for lunch as the first stop on our MID-MARCH PICKUP EXPEDITION. The restaurant is located on the north side of Sound Ave in Baiting Hollow and has a sizeable well-maintained parking lot connecting directly to the main entrance (Figure 1). Inside is bright, cheery, and spacious. Seating options include the dining room, bar, semi-enclosed patio, and outside dining spaces (Figure 2). As this was the first stop of a six-stop pickup tour, we were early, and the door locked, but the team spotted us, greeted us warmly, and guided us to our table that included a nice view of the fishpond and front yard seating area (Figure 3). The menu is extensive, ranging from simple salads to robust entrees and daily specials (Figures 4, 5, 6). After an opening round of cocktails, good Cosmopolitan, and unsweetened Iced Tea (many wine tastings ahead this day), we ordered. Alissa guided us through the menus, including her tasting experiences with the food, cheerfully helping curate our lunch. For starters, we ordered the Caesar Salad and Irish egg rolls. Following the mains of potato & onion crusted Chicken sandwich and a special call Jambalaya Stuffed Fluke. The starters arrived promptly and together. The Caesar salad is a good size for a starter with fresh Romain lettuce, crispy but not dried out flavorful croutons, and with just the right amount of savory dressing that included a hint of anchovies (Figure 7). The two Irish Egg Rolls arrive piping hot, cut in half packed full of corned beef, cabbage, and melted cheese (Figure 8). The outer roll was crisp, moist, & tender on the inside without being saturated in oil, well worth a reorder on the next visit. The mains arrived shortly after, not rushed but well-paced to the trip we still had ahead of us. The chicken sandwich arrives plated with the most extraordinary French fries, hot and crunchy on the outside and warm and moist on the inside (Figure 9). The sandwich was a generous size with half taken home. The chicken is breaded with a potato onion crust and fried to a golden brown, then topped with mozzarella cheese melting slowly over the entire chicken—a fantastic lunchtime chicken sandwich. The Jambalaya Stuffed Fluke is a home run. Two large filets of fluke were plated on a bed of sautéed spinach and filled with a very generous portion of Jambalaya packed with andouille sausage, shrimp, Langostinos, chicken, and Saffron rice. The fluke drizzled with Cajon Aioli, which added just the right amount of kick to the dish. Typically clearing the plate is the norm, but half went home for dinner this time. We passed on the included desserts as we were both far too full. After settling the bill and promising to return many more times (we will), we rolled out the door, pickup up three more Pot Pies and a couple of dessert pies to take home to friends; we headed out to our first winery stop...

2nd review .....11/8/19 We came to the Cooperage in fir a long overdue visit. I am very glad we did. Upon arrival, the parking lot was packed, which is a good sign and the entrance way was well lit and welcoming. There it's a giant barrel at the entrance which lets you know you are in the north fork wine region.

When we entered the front door, you came into an entry room with a fireplace and a warm and cozy atmosphere, the staff at the desk were all very nice and greeted us with a smile. We were about 50 min early for a reservation, so we went into the bar.

The bar is very cozy, we sat arty the bar and pr wonderful bartender was very nice, she recommended the pumpkin martini, good call. I ordered an IPA beer and then a glass of bourbon. We enjoyed pr time sitting at the bar.

Our reservation came up on time and we were seated at a nice table. Kelly (I hope I remembered her name) was our waitress, she was a lot of fun. We're joked back and fourth having a great time.

We ordered the baked clams, mussel pot which was amazing, the flat iron steak... delicious and the seafood pasta.

Everything was perfect. Even the owner (again, I apologize for not remembering her name) came over and we all chatted. She was telling us the history of the place and hote looking they have been the owners. She was very nice, even gave me a slice of coconut cream pie to take home....it was amazing!!

I told her that it was easy way too long since the last time we were there, and will be back again soon.

The Cooperage Inn is a great place to take that special someone to, buon appetit!

1st review 2009. We are sitting in the restaurant as I write this. The food was outstanding and the service impeccable! Our waitress Kerri ann was so vibrant, you could see the enjoyment in her face as she described the different dishes. We ordered the Tower for two appetizer, the gigantic Ceaser salad and then the shrimp and chicken francaise. Great job Kerri...

I go back and forth on the cooperage Inn. Ambiance and overall area of the restaurant is gorgeous here on the way to long islands east end. And for a quick drink at the bar with maybe some apps, it's great. With that being said, WAYYYY over priced for sub par food and service. I've had better food from a diner that's half the price. Not a place I would bring kids either. But that's just me. Could you? Sure. But you're going to pay 20 dollars for their chicken fingers that they're not going to eat. Also the wait staff, not rude but not what you'd expect from a restaurant that's charging $30 for a plate of pasta. Last time we were there was Easter Sunday. And it was not a good experience to say the least. The waiter although friendly made mistake after mistake. And it first you're like, ok it's OK. But then He just kept screwing up. Brought the wrong drink to 2 separate people at the table, twice! We corrected him and he still came back with the wrong drink AGAIN! $40 PLATES HERE PEOPLE...then we followed it up with my mother's chicken not being cooked all the way through and again a completely incorrect dinner given to my wife. So again,, we had to correct the guy and now wait another 30 mins for my wife's correct food to come out. So now my wife is sitting there with our entire party not eating out of respect to wait for her food to come. She was mortified and ended up not eating at all out of consideration for the others in our party. And AGAIN THESE ARE $40 PLATES..but can't get an order of coke and a water with lemon right. Great date place to grab a quick drink and take in the scenery and ambiance but I recommend eating somewhere else. Also just to follow up, why google has this at 2 $$ makes no sense to me. The cheapest thing on the menu is plain pasta which is like 27 dollars. $$ is chili's prices. Cooperage Inn needs to be adjusted to $$$$ the low money marker is misleading as this place...