Shelter Island’s Midweek Slice of Americana at The Pridwin

All-American barbecues and picnics have long been part of the beach community lexicon. Burgers and dogs, barbecued chicken, clambakes and regional dishes on the East End, like steamed mussels, grilled fish, and some of the best corn and potatoes the world has to offer, comprise what, for many, is the true taste of summer.

Shelter Island’s Pridwin Hotel and Cottages, a historic waterfront property located at 81 Shore Road, just to the west of Crescent Beach, overlooking Peconic Bay, has hosted the island’s famed Wednesday barbecues on summer evenings since the 1960s.

In 2022, the hotel opened under new management with Cape Resorts, the owners of Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor, partnering with members of the Petry family, who first hosted the Shelter Island tradition more than 60 years ago as a way to treat their guests and visitors to a true taste of Americana.

Together, the Petry family and Cape Resorts renovated The Pridwin but maintained its classic Adirondack camp style, including its white painted façade and hunter green trim. The Wednesday night events include live music, with children dancing and playing barefoot on the property’s expansive green lawn.

The Wednesday night barbecues will run this summer from May 29 through September 4. The offerings are abundant and include staples like hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled chicken and swordfish, and roasted corn. There’s peel-and-eat shrimp, grilled clams and mussels, an assortment of salads, and a chef’s smoked prime beef brisket with smoked Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce and sweet corn muffins. A dessert buffet includes summer pies, brownies, cookies and tarts.

The entire feast is $65 per person, including dessert, and reservations are recommended at caperesorts.com.

Kathryn G. Menu