Fire Island may not have as many places to eat as Bay Shore, but the 33-mile stretch of barrier beach does boast its own culinary attractions, most offering spectacular sunset vistas.
Here's a sampling of what's accessible from the ferries leaving Bay Shore:
Matthew's Seafood House, 935 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, 631-583-8016. A scenic bay-front seafood restaurant serving such dishes as barbecued swordfish and grilled salmon.
Island Mermaid, 370 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, 631-583- 8088. Thai tuna tataki and espresso-dusted shrimp are just two dishes at this lively eclectic waterside spot.
The Hideaway at Housers Hotel, 781-85 Evergreen Walk, Ocean Beach, 631-583-8900. Sunsets are augmented by a "beachy American" menu, including such dishes as vegetable samosas, fire-grilled filet mignon and wasabi-pea-crusted salmon.
Maguire's Bay Front Restaurant, 1 Bay Walk, Ocean Beach, 631-583-8800. In addition to super sunsets, this local favorite offers a New American menu featuring "drunken" porterhouse pork chops and blackened catfish.
Le Dock, 60 Bay Walk, Fair Harbor, 631-583-5200. Dine deck-side on the creative American cuisine of chef Patrick Adams, formerly of Salt in Manhattan, who offers such specialties as poppy seed-crusted flounder and salt-and-pepper shrimp.
The Out Restaurant, 20 Bay Walk, Kismet, 631-583-7400. An American menu with an emphasis on seafood is offered both indoors and on the deck at this casual seaside spot.
Kismet Inn, 1 Oak Walk, Kismet, 631-583-5592. The deck at sunset is the place to dine on a straightforward American seafood-slanted menu.
Flynn's, Ocean Bay Park, 631-583-5000. A venerable seaside spot known for lobsters and water vistas.
