Southold General, New Cafe, Celebrates North Fork Grand Opening

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold General celebrated its grand opening on Main Street Thursday in Einstein Square, at the site of the former Rothman's Department Store.

Presented by Chef John Fraser, who took the helm at the North Fork Table & Inn last year, the new cafe is located at 54100 Main Road in Southold. The "one-stop shop" offers local produce, a grab-and-go coffee bar, a gelato shop, and a café serving pizza as well as made-to-order salads, Fraser said.

Designed by Architect Elizabeth Roberts, Southold General is Fraser's second project on the North Fork, which will be followed by a hotel and new restaurant concept, debuting later this year, Fraser added.

Roberts designed a "warm and inviting space . . . filled with natural woods and stones together with vintage and new furniture." Customers will be able to take a seat at the black Hay cafe tables and chairs both inside and in Einstein Square.

Chef Fraser has teamed up with award-winning French pastry chef François Payard for the gelato program and pastries as well as breads, pizza doughs, focaccia, and sandwich doughs.

According to its website, "Southold General is a cafe offering a carefully curated selection of food and goods inspired by, and mostly from, the North Fork of Long Island." Customers are invited to gather provisions, including coffee, local wine and beer, breakfast sandwiches, salads, fresh-baked pies, and gelato for a "day on the bay or a weekend away."

Since its soft opening "The General" has already been garnering rave reviews from customers who've called the pizza "exceptional" and looked forward to savoring the treats from well-known from the North Fork Table. "I can't wait to try these pastry delights," one woman wrote on Facebook.

Southold General's kitchen is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The gelateria is also open on Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.