"Opened late last summer, Léon 1909 brings a bit of Provence to Shelter Island. When it came to designing the eatery’s menu and décor, owners Valerie Mnuchin and her father Robert were inspired by Mnuchin’s grandfather, whom the restaurant is named after, and his travels to Nice as a child with his family. The Provençal-style fare by chef Mason Lindahl combines the best seasonal and local ingredients with French and Italian countryside dishes like whole roasted fish, charred cuts of grass-fed beef, and grilled artisanal flatbread. The proprietors aimed to create a place for people to gather for great food in an unfussy setting, and it’s safe to say they hit the mark with a welcoming dining room framed by a high trestle ceiling, warm lighting, and an open, wood-burning hearth that transports you to the Mediterranean."