Bites Nearby: Founders Tavern Sure Flexes its Mussels

You could stand on a corner and look around until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Each week, North Fork Patch picks a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. Here's this week's choice:

Overview: This cozy Main Street tavern is a relaxing place to go for drinks or for lunch and dinner. The intimate bar known as The Tap Room at the front of Founder’s Tavern features beer made at local breweries. The Tap Room also serves wine made at local wineries and features a full bar.

The dining room to the rear, known as The Grill, serves lunch and dinner from a simple menu of delicious and reasonably priced food. You can build a burger, adding your toppings of choice, and prices start at $8 for appetizers.

The Décor: Founder’s Tavern is warm and inviting from the minute you enter the dark, wood-paneled bar. A large blackboard dominates a wall in the dining room where the menu is written in chalk and changed daily to accommodate specials. A roaring fire greats you in the colder months of the year. Sit by the fire and enjoy desert and coffee after dinner or linger at the bar, watch television and talk local politics with your friends and neighbors. Happy Hour on Friday draws a lively crowd.

The Drinks: Menu features beer from local micro-brewers, wines from North Fork wineries and a standard bar for martini drinkers or those who like their Scotch and water.

The Appetizers: The Irish Stout Mussels are a popular favorite ($11). The portion is large and can be shared but so good you may want them all to yourself. The fresh nachos ($8) are a good choice with beer, as is the fried calamari ($8).

Entrees: Tavern Steak and Shrimp ($22) is a specialty of the house. The flatiron steak is cooked to order and served with a helping of shrimp scampi.

Sides: Take you choice, onion rings ($5.00) are great with a build-your-own burger or steak. Other choices include ($4.00) seasonal vegetables, mashed potatoes, french fries, basmati rice or pasta.

Dessert: You can choose from a house specialty, made that day, or opt for the crème brule that is always delicious.

Service: The staff is friendly and accommodating.

Signature dish: Asian Tuna Wrap ($11) served at lunch or dinner. The dish features grilled tuna with sweet ginger Thai sauce, Napa cabbage and a side of wasabi sauce and mixed greens. Unlike any other wrap on the North Fork, this dish is unique to Founder’s Tavern.

Address: 55500 Route 25, Southold
Chef: Justin Evans
Cost: $$