New American cuisine.. and the New American Economy… friendly high end retailers!!! Yeah, I know I’m late.

Well first on my list today is that RUGOSA is now open!! Located at the site of the old  ALMONDCELLO an ALMONDITTO. Chef Bill Mammes has created a truly inspired menu. All of your favorite dishes with a destinctive East End flair.   While I only got to try a few of the dishes, I arrived for the opening night party a little late.. although I did show up early on Sunday… the party was on Tuesday.   Anyway what I did have was really impressive. If memory serves me right an awesome “carrot with ginger soup and mussles.” Also, a salt cod, I hate cod but it was was pretty terrific. Served with potato and grilled asparagus. Finally the ceviche, I didn’t get a chance to try it but Ben from the East Hampton Independent said a big thumbs up. Congrats to chef  Bill Mammes formerly of The Maidstone Club and general manager and  my budette Chimene Visser.   The interior by the way has been totally redone since Almoncello and it’s stunning (see above).

So I discovered that high end real estate is really a lot like high end retail. Some brokers are forcing themselves to be a lot nicer to both customers and other agents but the prices ain’t coming down!!! The following is a real conversation with “L” from HERMES in East Hampton. She was absolutly lovely and nice… I’m sure she’s now laughing with all of her co-workers at me.

Me: Hi, L. .. a friend of mine said you’re having a huge like 40% off sale. Is that true?

L: (giggiling) No,we en’t having a sale. (but very nice)

 

Me: Is ANYTHING on sale?!

 

L: No, we usually don’t have sales here.

 

Me: What about an outlet shop… do you have one in Riverhead at Tangier?

 

L: (totally serious) No we don’t have any outlet shops.

 

Me: Bummer. Thank you L.

L:  You’re welcome.. thanks for calling HERMES!

Ugh, it would have been so much funnier if she were nasty!!

L: (A very nice thank you) Thank you for calling Hermes.

TORY BURCH: After going through a myriad of voice mail options, no human beings were answering the phone. IRONY!?

Where the boys are…. and when are you too old ?

Well it’s been at least 6 years or so since The Swamp closed their doors and many across the Hamptons were forced to actually stay at home on Saturday nights. Well now you don’t have to hang with Paris at the Pink Elephant, The Lodge on Race Ln is holding what they’re calling “Saturday Soiree.” While I don’t’ think they’ll be too much dancing, the restaurant is opening up their outdoor patio area and bar for the occasion. I hope they serve those awesome free little hamburger sliders. I’m sure I’ll be one of the few who will actually eat them. Starvation is the new black for ohhh so many in the Hamptons. Anyway, if you need more details… call the lodge directly at 631-324-5022. The invite is to the left. I just hope they don’t do something lame like having stupid drink specials… you know the pink ones with names like the Liza and the Judy! That’s soooo 1989 Provincetown! We’re in the Hamptons damn it!

So, what to wear this Saturday… what to wear!? I can tell you it won’t be anything from
Abercrombie and Fitch. (left, yeah I fit right in!) While many of my friends say I could be a catalog model, it’s not Abercrombie and Fitch…. they’re implying more that I’m that guy in the blue polo shirt grilling the dogs in a Home Depot ad. I would just love to think I have the bod and youthful looks to pull off wearing A&F…. but I DON’T and most men over 35 don’t either. If you’re wearing a hoodie and you’re over 35 YOU HAVE ISSUES. In fact, I’m sure A&F is relieved I don’t wear their clothes. I’m also too old for roller blading, I know that but I may still one day dust off my blades and put on my helmet, wrist guards, knee guards, elbow guards and my ego guards to go for a spin. I make no illusions, I know I’ll look like a freak! I’m also too old to be listening to Timbaland, Anyone from American Idol and Miley Cyrus… Madonna is too old to be doing duets with them! I’ll stay with my Annie Lennox and Sting. Finally, I’m also too old to be hanging out at The Talkhouse in Amagansett. While I did go a few weeks ago to see “The English Beat” and really had a great time, the audience was MY AGE that night. If I go on a normal Saturday night, I skew the medium age by at least a good ten years. I’m over walking on crusty beer soaked floors, although they were fun back in the day. I hate growing up!!!

When will the Parrot finally take flight??.. don’t say anything in the Hamptons unless you want the world to hear !!

So, we’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting for the return of good mexican food to the Hamptons. I’m sure you’re all thinking I’m going to be mentioning a 7-11 Bean Burrito again.. but I can’t. I do love the nachos and the margaritas at La Superica in Sag Harbor but I’m not 25 and I actually like being able to hear my what my dinner companions say.. well certain dinner companions anyway.

I’m hoping BLUE PARROT will open soon. The longstanding tex-mex casa is being revised and revamped with the help of billionaire Ron Perelman, Jon Bon Jovi and Renee Zell…e…weigers..ener (I so can’t spell). The current owners promise it will have the same atmosphere as the old hangout but with a new chef and better food. I personally don’t remember what the food tasted like but the margaritas were amazing — oh maybe that’s why I never really tasted the food! I went by on Saturday morning.. no luck… called on Sunday… no answer and the message machine was full. Alright guys…we need guacamole now!! Open Already!!
Overheard:

A woman talking at the bar at Bobby Van’s about her upbringing; “Wolves would have done a better job than my parents!”

Two twentysomething Prada Princesses eating ice cream in East Hampton village and remarking on the young woman with her much older husband and their triplets: “Those aren’t children, they’re a science experiment!”
At a dinner party Saturday night held by a major Hollywood big-wig: “I take care of myself…. I treat my body well… I treat it like a pharmacy.”
Two “masters of the universe” discussing the new way of doing business: “I’m used to having free range in my business.” – I guess that’s not too bad… he could be a farmer with chickens?!

 

Week 2 of summer 2009….

Artist John Kneapler and Sotheby’s (the real Sotheby’s not the franchised real estate company) Benjamin Dollar

It was a busy day yesterday for me. My small outdoor cookout somehow ended up with 12 people for a sit down dinner. I just don’t know how things like this happen. In this summer… casual cookouts… OUT .. sit down dinners.. but more on that in a minute.

I began the evening in Sag Harbor. My friend John Kneapler had his opening night reception for his collection “Hampton Beaches” at THE GALLERY, 125 Main St., Sag Harbor. Congrats John on a great show!!! I won’t dare make any
comments about your work… although I was really impressed. My idea of art still consists of the B+W framed photos at Pottery Barn Outlet. So, what I will do is a little critique on the food and wine from last night. The cheese was sublime and the chardonnay had a buttery, earthy and rich taste, not your typical sweet California Chardonnay. It had more of an organic flavor and a fuller texture.

In the meantime.. go see John’s work it’s really quite special. His show runs at THE GALLERY til July 5th. http://www.thegallerysagharbor.com/

Well the trends for the summer of ’09 are already establishing themselves… I hope to update you more and more as the summer progresses.

-IN
Shopping at Tommy Hilfiger in EH!

-OUT
Buying at Tommy Hilfiger in EH!

-IN
Citarella’s in Bridgehampton

-OUT
King Kullen

– IN
Enjoying LIFE!

– OUT
Crossing the streets in East Hampton Village without looking!

-In
Peanut Butter (Natural)

-Out
Jams and Jelly – hello?! The Carbs!

-In
Madonna spottings and paparazzi attacks

-Out
Madonna’s music

– In
Georgica Saturday Night

– Out
The Hess Station Wainscott Saturday Night

-IN
BCBG Max Azria & J Crew

-OUT
Elie Tahari and Theory

-IN
Tuto Italiano’s Pizza

-OUT
Frozen Tombstone from Walbaum’s

-IN
The new spin bikes at Zone Hampton

-OUT
Riding a bike on the shoulder of 27 not realizing the drivers are busy texting on their phones!!

So there you have the current trends… More to come and this week.. the latest on RUGOSA, BLUE PARROTT AND SOME GOOD REAL ESTATE DEALS!