Galen Zamarra of Mas (Farmhouse) Plots Waterfront Restaurant on the North Fork

The dining scene for Long Island’s North Fork just got a lot hotter. Chef Galen Zamarra of longtime West Village American and French fine-dining restaurant Mas (Farmhouse) will be opening a more casual restaurant at one of “the most picturesque” waterside hotels in Greenport.

The chef — whose restaurant Mas will reopen soon after a fire last summer — will be in charge of all the food and drink at Sound View Hotel, a nearly 65-year-old property with a private beach that was recently purchased by Manhattan firm Eagle Point Hotel Partners.

Zamarra will be joining several other hip Manhattan restaurants that have announced North Fork plans including LES fashion darling The Lucky Bee, with brick-and-mortar plans in Greenport along with downtown restaurateur Frank DeCarlo of Peasant.

The main event will be an 150-seat restaurant with an outdoor deck called The Halyard, where the ingredient focus will be on all things North Fork. Zamarra, who rose to prominence after winning a James Beard Award for rising star chef in 2001, says that he plans to cook a lot of seafood and vegetables from local farms. He calls the food “American retro,” with dishes like lobster beignets and whole fish. Much of the wine list will also come from local wineries. It will be more casual than Mas, he adds.

Paul Brissman for Sound View

Zamarra will also oversee the bar on the private beach, the private event spaces, and picnic baskets for hotel guests. He plans to host events as well, like lessons about local fish or collaborations with artists and fashion designers.

With a view of the Long Island Sound and a sunset, the hotel and restaurant are positioning themselves to become a destination for summer travelers this year. “People will flock to it just for that,” the chef says of the view.

It’s been a while since Zamarra’s been in action. Mas (farmhouse) closed in July 2016 after a small electrical fire struck the building. He had to do a complete gut renovation of the restaurant, which has been open since 2004.

But his movement into Long Island does not mean he plans to abandon Mas, he says. He spent time in Greenport years ago, even meeting his wife while there. When he heard that Sound View had been purchased, he reached out to see if they needed help with the food.

Mas is expected to reopen at the end of May, he says.