Blue Whale

A relatively low-key place serving as a natural spot for "low tea." Most folks are all relaxed and mellow from a nice day on the beach, and there's a large outdoor patio providing a gorgeous view of the harbor and all the ferries rolling by.

My impression is that the younger bartenders are more enthusiastic and generous with the booze. One Grey Goose cosmo delivered a knockout punch, while the exact same drink from an older bartender was limper than a Minute Maid lunchbox juice pak.

Still, a good way to ease into the early evening with a drink or two, before revving up the volume at "high tea."

I went to Fire Island for the first time on Sunday July 22nd.  I had a ABSOLUTE BLAST at the Blue Whale, I didn't want to leave.  Josh the bartender was super nice and friendly.  Not only did he take care of my thirst, he helped me look for a souviner t-shirt to take home as a momento.  He could have just pointed me in the right direction, but instead he took time from his free time to take me to the different shops.  Much Mahalo for that Josh.
I didn't try any food, but be sure that I will next time.  If any of my friends are headed to Fire Island, I will be telling them to ask for Josh at the Blue Whale when they get there.

Okay, here's what you need to know before eating anywhere in the Pines at Fire Island.  Demand exceeds supply by a huge amount, so there is zero incentive for restaurant owners to provide good value or excellent service.  Everywhere you go you will wait, the service will be spotty and you may or may not get what you actually ordered.  So if you're in that frame of mind, you'll understand the three star rating I gave Blue Whale.

I had lunch here with a friend and overall the experience was so-so.  Took awhile to track down a waiter...took even longer to get something to drink. However, the waiter was friendly, though absent minded.  We both had burgers, which were a little overdone but still flavorful.   The whole experience was unmemorable but not awful and it ain't cheap.  Slow service, food not prepared correctly....in any other scenario this would have been a two star review at best, but for Fire Island Pines, this represents fine dining.

You just can't go to Fire Island Pines and expect a Danny Meyer-quality dining experience.  Heck, you can't expect an Applebees-quality dining experience.  Service on the island (this part, anyway) just screams "meh, we don't really care because what other options do you have?".   Since the service was friendly with no attitude, I'd give this three stars.  

Plus, low tea is fun so overall this isn't a horrible place.  I look at it like cable TV...when there is not much competition, there's no incentive to provide an exceptional experience because the sheep will keep on coming.  And to that I say, baa baa!