In the bustling culinary landscape of Shelter Island, Vine Street Cafe stands out as a testament to passion, partnership, and a shared love for exceptional food. Founded by Lisa Murphy and Terry Harwood, this beloved eatery is more than just a restaurant; it’s a culmination of culinary journeys, a celebration of local ingredients, and a haven for food enthusiasts seeking an authentic East End dining experience. Their story, rooted in a chance encounter in a New York City kitchen, has blossomed into one of Shelter Island’s most cherished culinary destinations.
The seeds of Vine Street Cafe were sown in the basement kitchen of New York’s iconic Union Square Café back in 1995. Lisa Murphy, then a pastry chef honing her craft, and Terry Harwood, an experienced chef with ambitious culinary pursuits, found themselves working side-by-side. Sharing an oven during a busy dinner service, a connection sparked that would eventually lead them to Shelter Island. While their initial stint as colleagues was brief, lasting only a month before Harwood embarked on a journey to San Francisco, the shared values around food and life had already begun to intertwine. Five years later, their wedding celebration became a reunion for many from their Union Square Café days, a testament to the deep bonds forged in the demanding yet inspiring world of fine dining.
Vine Street Cafe, established in 2003, became the embodiment of these shared values. Both Harwood and Murphy’s upbringing instilled in them a deep appreciation for real food. Harwood’s farm background and Murphy’s childhood dream of becoming a chef, nurtured by a mother with similar aspirations, created a foundation built on culinary authenticity. “We both grew up knowing how to cook … around real food,” Murphy recalls, emphasizing their innate understanding of seasonal produce and a compatible culinary style honed from years of experience in top kitchens. Their vision for Vine Street Cafe was clear: to create a dining experience reminiscent of the clean, simple, yet refined food they had perfected at Union Square Café, elevated by their combined expertise gained in renowned establishments across California and New York.
Vine Street Cafe quickly ascended to become an East End favorite, a go-to destination for celebrations and memorable meals. Even the unprecedented challenges of a global pandemic couldn’t dim its appeal. Adapting with agility, Vine Street Cafe expanded its takeout offerings and established the Vine Street Market, ensuring that their culinary creations remained accessible to the community. “That’s been one really nice aspect of all this,” Murphy reflects on their pandemic response. “People here were still able to enjoy the Vine Street food.” From intimate at-home gatherings to milestone birthday celebrations, Vine Street Cafe provided a culinary anchor during uncertain times, offering reheating and plating instructions to ensure restaurant-quality experiences at home.
Shelter Island’s discerning palate has long been recognized, and Vine Street Cafe has become a cornerstone of its foodie scene. Murphy observed a surge in patrons utilizing Vine Street takeout to elevate their home entertaining during the pandemic. “You can buy our bread, bake it at home and serve it with some of our Meadow Butter, and you get all the credit,” she laughs, highlighting the ease with which customers could enjoy Vine Street quality in their own homes. As life gradually returned to normalcy, the restaurant warmly welcomed back celebratory gatherings, often hosted in their charming shaded garden, where family-style set meals fostered a sense of community and shared enjoyment.
Murphy proudly describes signature dishes that exemplify Vine Street Cafe’s commitment to flavorful, approachable cuisine. Their Pasta Bolognese, lauded by Ina Garten on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate,” is a testament to their dedication to classic comfort food elevated to gourmet heights. Even their bouillabaisse, a dish that prompted a French patron to playfully declare it “too good” to be traditional bouillabaisse, showcases their ability to refine and enhance familiar flavors. And Murphy’s strawberry shortcake, a nostalgic ode to American summers and childhood memories of strawberry picking, perfectly encapsulates the restaurant’s philosophy of simple pleasures executed flawlessly.
The resilience of Vine Street Cafe, especially during challenging times, can be attributed to the strong family foundation at its core. Their two sons played a vital role in the Vine Street Market during the pandemic’s early stages, embodying the family-run spirit of the establishment. With the support of Lisa’s mother, Betsey Murphy, who provides crucial childcare assistance, the couple navigates the demanding restaurant industry while raising their family. Above all, Lisa emphasizes the strength of her partnership with Harwood. “We’ve always respected one another,” she affirms, highlighting their mutual drive for excellence and unwavering support for each other – the secret ingredient to Vine Street Cafe’s enduring success on Shelter Island.
