The Terrace Restaurant

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Century of Gathering on Crescent Beach

The Terrace Restaurant sits within The Pridwin Hotel and Cottages, a storied coastal resort that has welcomed guests to Shelter Island since 1927. The hotel's nearly ten-acre site on Crescent Beach was chosen for its protected waters, gentle bay breezes, and sweeping views across Peconic Bay — and The Terrace inherits all of that setting. Vogue once called the Pridwin "The Classic Americana Getaway," and dining here carries the same unhurried, elevated quality the resort has built across generations.

Rooted in a Real Story

The Pridwin's dining tradition runs deep. When owners Richard and Edith Petry acquired the hotel in 1961, they added a grand room for formal dining — the foundation on which The Terrace now stands. The property was thoughtfully renewed in 2022 in partnership with Cape Resorts, bringing the historic resort into a new era while keeping its character intact. Co-owner Glenn Petry, whose family has been connected to the Pridwin since 1930, describes the place simply: "This is one of the most beautiful places on the planet."

The Terrace Table

The restaurant's American and Mediterranean cuisine is served against the backdrop of Crescent Beach and the bay beyond. Executive Chef Todd Ruiz leads the kitchen, and his approach carries through to the resort's wider dining program — including the legendary Wednesday Night BBQs on the lawn, where smoked meats and fresh fish caught by resident fisherman Gregg Petry are served at communal tables under live music and a sunset sky. The Terrace itself offers a more formal counterpart: fine dining with outdoor seating that frames the water as naturally as any room on the East End.

A Wine List Worth the Recognition

The Terrace's wine program earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2024 — a recognition that reflects genuine depth and curation. For a restaurant rooted in classic American hospitality with Mediterranean influences woven through the menu, the list provides the range to match both the food and the occasion.

The Setting Does the Rest

Five minutes by ferry from both the North Fork and South Fork, Shelter Island occupies a rare middle ground — close enough to reach easily, removed enough to feel like an escape. The Terrace makes the most of that geography, offering a meal that is elevated without being stiff, and relaxed without being careless.