Feed & Grain Feels Like Home

By Jano Tantongco
jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

Adorned with an oceanic interior featuring mini buoys and model ships, sailors and land lovers alike will feel at home at Northport’s Feed and Grain.

With a homey centrally located bar, nets and paddles, the restaurant serves up seafood so fresh, you’ll swear you’re miles off the Long Island Sound, eating the fresh catch of the day.

From 1838, the location was once home to the Northport stables. The stone wall foundation still existing today hints at its earlier equine origins. The stables not only boarded horses, but was a market for local farmers to purchase feed and grain.

The stables then burned down in 1888, with the location soon becoming a Northport Chrysler, but again, suffered a fire in 1938. After that, the empty lot was used by a local taxi company.

Finally, in 1978, the Northport institution was created.

Today, it boasts a myriad of seafood classics with an inviting interior, as well as outdoor seating in both the back and the front.

Start your meal off right with a Crazy Nuttiness salad ($15.95) that goes the extra nautical mile. Featuring mixed greens, dried cranberries, glazed walnuts, it also serves up chunks of cranberry/cinnamon goat cheese, a uniquely sweet, savory and creamy addition unlike any other. It’s topped with an Asian plum dressing that’s a little tangy, with just enough heat to make things interesting.

To dive into the seafood, the Baked Clams ($9.95 for six, $16.95 for a dozen) are an appetizer you’ll wish never ended. The clams are wonderfully chewy, with a dusting of panko crumbs for crispy perfection, all underscored with a mellow garlic flavor.

Shoving off to the entrees, which Feed & Grain calls “The Big Guns,” the Linguine with White Clam Sauce ($17.95) is an elegantly simple and satisfying pasta dish. It brings together hearty clams, both in the shell, and as chunks generously peppered on the linguine. The white wine sauce is imbued with a sultry, savory flavor punctuated with hints of aquatic goodness.

Moving on to the main event, the Whole Lobster & Mussels ($21.95) dinner special is a feast fit for Neptune. Strap on the included bib and get ready for juicy, textured lobster that is a delight to open up, dip into the melted butter and savor. Meanwhile, the mussels are remarkably fresh, with a soft, yet chewy texture that will keep you coming back for more.

Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of Feed & Grain’s invigorating cocktails, at $10 each. Check out happy hour specials at the bar, every day from 4-7 p.m.

Amanda’s Cucumber Fizz brews together cucumber infused vodka with a splash of St. Germaine elderflower liqueur, sour mix and club soda, garnished with a slice of cucumber. The drink boasts tangy highlights balanced by the earthy and aromatic St. Germaine to make this a favorite for diners who either enjoy sweet or more subdued drinks.

Feed & Grain
73 Main St., Northport
631-651-2684
Feedandgrainofnorthport.com

Cuisine: American Seafood
Atmosphere: Casual and homey
Price: Moderate
Hours: Monday-Friday: 4-10 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday:12-10 p.m.