It was one helluva summer in the Rockaways, what with Riis Park Beach Bazaar opening and the mass exodus of weary New Yorkers looking for a place in the sand. While most of the beach getaway sadly closes for the season, we’re quite happy to say it’s not over just yet.
A new restaurant/bar is opening in the Bay 9 pavilion called Wildfeast at Riis, and if you enjoy seafood then this place is a must. Everything on the menu is locally sourced including all fish, game, and veggies (which come from their 1 acre farm on the Peconic Land Trust in the North Fork).
Wildfeast’s grand opening is Oct 10 and 11, which will also serve as the inaugural Oceanfront Oktoberfest weekend. (And if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to have Oktoberfest at the beach, now’s your chance.)
“We are very excited and proud to be part of the Rockaway community,” say Belvy Klein of Riis Park Beach Bazaar/Brooklyn Bazaar and Mirijana Ujkic, Owner of Wildfeast Foods, “Riis Park is such a treasure. It is truly an iconic location with breathtaking views of both the Atlantic Ocean and NYC. We are very much looking forward to serving and cooking for this amazing community and hosting events for our guests and their families.”
Wildfeast at Riis, a collaboration of Riis Park Beach Bazaar and Wildfeast Foods, will serve a menu mostly focusing on sustainable seafood (including their famous shark tacos and grilled monkfish sandwich, to name a few). Meat eaters will be satisfied with short rib sliders and lamb from North Fork. For brunch, they’ll offer the “very best of fresh East End Long Island sourced ingredients: free range chicken and duck eggs, sweet potato waffles, house made scones and a traditional Irish Breakfast.”
Riis Park Beach Bazaar will also expand the current bar at Bay 9 and operate “Riis Point”, an oceanfront watering hole featuring classic drinks as well as craft cocktails, all served in their heated dining room with ocean views. The bar will also host intimate performances from some of RPBB and BKNB’s favorite artists.
Other activities in the works include a Halloween concert, pumpkin carving contests, farmers markets, crab boils, and a Harvest Festival.
Wildfeast, 157 Rockaway Blvd at Bay 9 Pavilion in Jacob Riis Park. Thursday and Friday from 3pm to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 10pm