Over Memorial Day weekend, Raindrop’s Café, a new farm to table restaurant owned and operated by members of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, celebrates its grand opening with a series of events including a raffle, a craft fair and food tastings.
Bryan Polite is the owner of the café as well as the head roaster at Raindrop’s Coffee, which is produced on site at the café, while Deana Smith is the restaurant’s operational manager. Samantha Sosa is the culinary expert in the kitchen and the restaurant features small bites along with soups, stews, sandwiches and salads, many of which are fused with the flavorings and styles of traditional Native American fare.
Weekend events include a Shinnecock musical performance on Friday, May 24, at 4 p.m. Each day from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26, Raindrop’s café will host “Hidden Gems of The Hamptons,” an outdoor craft fair with authentic food and craft vendors from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A free chili tasting hour will be held at the café from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend. Also on the food front, the café hosts “Meet the Indigenous Food Artists” from 4 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $10 and will include a tasting of a selection of SIN (Shinnecock Indian Nation) dishes as well as an indigenous fusion menu. Participants will also meet the food creators.
The café will hold a raffle over the weekend with free entry for every purchase made at the café between Friday, May 24 and Monday May 27. Prizes include a Raindrop’s Café gift basket and a 50” screen television.
Raindrop’s Cafe is located at 40 Montauk Highway in Shinnecock Hills and is housed in the white building behind the Raindrop’s Quick Stop convenience store. For more information on upcoming events, call 631-287-3200.