Bar Fare With An Upscale Twist At The Lark
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By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com
The Lark Pub and Grub has been a cornerstone of the East Northport community since owner Tim Kelly bought the bar back in 2009.
“My wife and I had dinner there one night and we just said to each other, ‘This is the place,’” Kelly said. The Yaphank resident also owns the Village Idiot Irish Pub in Oakdale and the upscale waterfront restaurant Drift 82 in Patchogue with business partner John Sarno.
The Lark, found at 93 Larkfield Road, has become an important part of the neighborhood under Kelly’s ownership. The relatively small size of the pub creates a very intimate atmosphere between customers and the staff.
“My wife and I are there all the time; we run the place,” Kelly said. “When you own a small place like the Lark you really become a part of the customers’ lives.”
Chiming in, a customer seated at the bar Friday said, “It’s like the ‘Cheers’ of East Northport.”
The pub has seating for around 40, including 16 seats at the bar, and additional space in the outdoor patio out back.
Kelly, who orders all the kegs himself, said The Lark’s wide craft beer selection is what keeps customers coming in. It goes through about 20 kegs a week to keep its 26 rotating beer taps flowing.
The pub has a variety of football specials on Sundays, including $5 wings and beer specials, and raffles for jerseys.
However, The Lark serves more than just beer and wine; the upscale bar fare that comes out of the kitchen usually comes with a unique spin.
To start, the Thanksgiving Egg Rolls ($9) evoke all the tastes of a traditional turkey day dinner wrapped in a convenient egg roll. Served with a side of gravy and dried cranberries, the crunchy egg roll on the outside provides a perfect container for the maple glazed turkey and the soft warm stuffing.
Another classic pub appetizer is fried mac and cheese, but the Lark’s Fried Mac and Pepper Jack ($8) is an elevated version of the classic dish. A large helping of mac and pepper jack cheese is deep fried to create a golden brown crust that gives way to a cheesy mac that takes on the pepper jack flavor. The dish is finished with the pub’s traditional Cajun ranch dressing that adds just the right amount of spice.
For an entree, the Shrimp Tacos ($12) provide some deviation from average bar food. Seasoned grilled shrimp, lettuce, and pico de gallo are wrapped in three soft shell tacos that again provide a cool compliment to the kick of the Cajun ranch dressing drizzled on top. The tortillas have a nice grilled texture that contrasts the juicy shrimp.
Lastly, the Apple Cheddar Mac and Cheese ($13) is a chef’s special that delivers an unexpected combination of savory and sweet. Pairing cheese with apple slices and topping the dish with cinnamon creates a unique blend that reminds diners of football and apple pie.
Kelly said he is proud of the environment that exists inside The Lark, and he enjoy the opportunity to interact with his customers every day.
“It’s the interaction with the customers that’s the best part,” Kelly said. “I probably have 100 customers’ names and numbers in my phone because I consider them friends.”
The Lark Pub & Grub
93 Larkfield Road, East Northport
631-262-9700
Thelarkpubandgrub.com
Cuisine: Pub Food
Atmosphere: Casual
Prices: Appetizers: $6-$10; Entrees: $9-$14
Hours: Monday-Thursday 12 p.m.- 2 a.m.; Friday-Sunday 12 p.m.-3 a.m.
