INSTAGRAM COOL AND ANOTHER REASON WHY RENTING OFF THE INTERNET IS RISKY!

FOR RENTAGAIN!??? A few days ago, I got an inquiry about one of my rental listings.    While this is pretty common this time of year, what was unusual is that the inquiry came from a young woman in the city who apparently had been in communication with “me.”   Lucky for her, she accidently deleted the email chain and had to google “me” to make contact again.  The only problem is she was not corresponding with me but rather someone who had cloned my rental listing online and placed a short term rental ad on Craigslist.    It’s sad but this is not the first time this has happened to me.    Apparently this person was charging $500/night for 6+ bedroom house south of the highway with the money due upfront.   Hey, once again if it looks too good to be true kids…. it’s probably a scam.     Meanwhile, I encouraged her to either use a broker or even look at sites like VRBO and skip Craigslist.     In the end I alerted to Craigslist to this fraudulent ad and 5 days later, they’ve yet to remove it.     I know I didn’t post it nor did the owner of the house.     Meanwhile, if any of you are planning to impersonate me online….. can you at least give me six pack abs in any of the photos?

Now after dealing with all of this drama, I’m going to spend some time relaxing and go cruising on Instagram.    I mean, what better way to appreciate the Hamptons than eating cookies, lying on the sofa and seeing how much more fun everyone else is having!!?   But before I tell you who I’m following, feel free to follow me at @PJMHAMPTONS.     You can learn all about my dogs, Tate’s cookies and my latest properties for sale.

@roundswampfarm & @loavesandfishesfoodstore –  The ultimates in Hamptons food porn!   I mean how else would you learn that the Jalapeno Bean Burger is back or th

Raspberry+Almond+Cookies
Lisa’s Raspberry cookie @roundswamnpfarm

at you need an almond cheese danish!?

@hamptonsrealestateshowcase – a quick peek at some of the newest and best real estate properties around.

@thewatermillcenter – The center that hosts one of the funkiest events of the summer also gives you an amazing look into some cutting edge art pieces via their Instagram posts.   Featuring everything from Lady Gaga to well, who knows this is a must follow.

@hamptonscarspotter – exotic, classic and anything that looks cool on wheels is featured in this east end account.   So far, they’ve not yet featured my 14 year old Jeep Sahara with 100k miles but hey the summer is still young.

@libbylangdon – Libby is an interior designer and TV personality with quick ideas for making your home a little more “Hamptons.”   Her sunny and perky and informative posts will wake you up faster than two cups of espresso!

@modelbartenders – if you don’t have good looking friends you might as well have some good looking staff.  RIGHT?! Ok, technically this is a NYC based account but they do serve the Hamptons and it features models!  EYE CANDY!

@truth_training – you’ll never get to be a @modelbartender unless you work out like the folks on this account.   I find it so inspiring I’m going to do some kettlebell lifts right after I finish the cinnamon roll from @roundswampfarm.  Seriously though there is some great information about their classes and ideas for fighting flab.

Cover_White
The new book by @justfredericoazevedo

 

@hedgeshamptons – meet the brokers, celebrity news and go behind the hedges (get it?) of some of the most stunning homes you can’t afford.      Yep, its total real estate porn and worth following!

@justfredericoazevedo and @hollander_design – two of the hottest landscape designers around!     Be inspired by Frederico Azevedo and Ed Hollander or just be wowed by their stunning landscape designs.   It’s like a walk in the park without leaving your sofa… or your Tate’s cookies.

@gimmeshelteranimalrescue – Cuteness overload and they’re all available for adoption!  Share some of their posts and maybe you can get a furry fur legged friend a home.

@Mecoxbaydairy – it’s a glimpse into country living at its best.   Cheese.  MMMMMMM… CHEEEESSEEE.   Oh and there’s also COWS!   Who doesn’t like looking at the face of a cow!!?  Of course, unless it’s before your going to LT Burger.

 

cows
@mecoxbaydairy … COWS!

 

 

 

SOULCYCLE GETS A NEW NEIGHBOR IN WATER MILL! YOU KNOW IT’S SUMMER WHEN….

In what’s probably one of the better business moves this summer, Sag Harbor staple Provisions will be adding another location at the former site of Citerella in Water Mill shopping center.

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Smoothies and Salads and Bears… oh my!

A smart move considering every Saturday and Sunday, the area swarms with Lululemonites loitering after the SoulCycle classes next door.  Which means getting a green juice or smoothie just got a lot easier!! Thank the lord…. or at least the owners of Provisions.    If you’ve never been to Sag Harbor location, it’s probably one of the best natural food markets anywhere and the organic cafe is always packed!!    According to highly placed sources (the guy at the cash register yesterday), the Water Mill location will be opening sometime in Mid-July.     While I’m sure it will swamped like their other location,  they may want to burn some sage to be safe.     It couldn’t hurt to clean some of the possible bad juju that sunk Citarella (in that location), Avanti market (which I loved), West Elm and Blockbuster video (damn you streaming video!)!    Anyway, you can check out their website by clicking here for more details.

Well, the calendar says it’s June and the summer season is defintiely upon us.    But like the traffic jams on 27 and the blooms of the rhodaden… Roudaden….. Rhodamorgenterns… errrr… RHODODENDRON (like you know how to spell it?) there are other signs that that it’s that time of year in the Hamptons!   Here are a few that I always look for…

Wolffer Vineyards becomes the Pumpkin Town of warm weather on Friday Nights!  Screaming kids, parents that ignore them, jazz music and cars lining up and down the highway…. all with Summer in a Bottle… it’s beach living at it’s finest!

People are constantly asking every store, restaurant, real estate office and bank for their wifi password!  Cell service sucks in the Hamptons…. we all know it.    It’s even suckier in the summer!  Period.    Listen I get it…. it’s isolating and frustrating.   But maybe this summer we can try checking our social media accounts when we get home people!?  Nahhhh. I hate talking to people in person too!

There’s a stranded German luxury car on the beach!    If you drive two days a week for 12 weeks a year, maybe getting a Range Rover or MercedAudibeach9es G-Class isn’t such a great Mercedeesbeachidea (also other people need parking spaces too!)   Try starting with something smaller and easier to handle and perhaps watertight like a VW bug.    Just because you have 4 wheel drive doesn’t mean your car is good for beach driving, especially as the high tide is coming!

Restaurant Managers get Amnesia!    If you’ve ever seen the movie “What’s Up Doc,” you’ll remember the scene where Madeline Kahn gets dragged out of a banquet by her heels when her fiance says “I’ve never seen this woman before in my life.”   Well that’s how more than a few of us feel this time of year when we head out to eat on weekend night.   Ummm, I’m the guy who comes in every Monday in October and April and I’m the only one in the place?!   Patrick?!  No!?   Grrrrrr. 

Anyway, enough complaining…. I’m loving the warm weather, the calls from my long lost relatives and paying double for everything!  It’s summer in the Hamptons everyone!!!  Party on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW MEXICAN.. COCKTAILS ON THE BEACH… AND A SIGN IT’S MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

Well it’s Memorial Day weekend.   I know it sneaks up on you!   But in addition to being the unofficial kick-off of Summer, it’s also the OFFICIAL start to the Hamptons benefit season.

First up is the LGBT Network Annual Summer Kick-Off cocktail party at the Bridgehampton Surf and Tennis Club on Saturday May 25th.   This year’s theme is “Surf’s Up,” and it promises to be another swanky and fun affair.    It’s also one of the few

GLBT
COCKTAILS, DJ & APPETIZERS AT THE BRIDGEHAMPTON SURF & TENNIS CLUB

benefits on the East End that still has a goody bag!!!   Proceeds from the evening are earmarked for the LGBT Network’s Hamptons Center, which provides life-saving programs and services for the LGBT community and their supporters on the East End. Learn more about the Hamptons Center here.    If you want to buy ticket for the event you can click here and spend anywhere from $300 to $15,000 to attend.    If you choose the higher price sponsorship, rumor has it you can get all the “pigs in a blanket” you want and hey I’ll let you take a selfie with me too!   The Prada parade begins at 6:00pm and goes to 8:30, just in time to head to dinner at Coche Comedor in Amagansett.

What’s Coche Comedor you ask???  Well it’s the newest restaurant from the folks at Nick and Toni’s, Townline BBQ and La Fondita.   Serving locally inspired Mexican fare,  the restaurant opened last week and has been packed ever since.    I was luckily COCHEBARenough to go on the opening night and it was a home run.    The menu is different than the taqueria next door and features fish, meat and poultry all cooked on a wood burning grill and rotisserie.  There is also a raw bar portion of the menu featuring shrimp, clams and oysters.   The tortillas are made fresh and the most important of all the margaritas are perfection.   They’re not too sweet and not too tart.    So, say hola to summer and head to Coche Comedor.   You can also take a look at their website or give them a call at

Finally, tonight you can see the light as they turn the switch on the iconic Sag Harbor Cinema sign goes back on line tomorrow night.  The sign came down shortly after a fire that tore through Main Street back in 2016.   The theatre which will feature multiple screens and a rooftop deck is shooting for a fall opening.    As for the sign, the switch will be pulled tomorrow at 7:30 pm.

So much to do… so much to do!!! So much traffic too!

SAGHARBOR2

 

 

 

 

ClIFFS NOTES FOR HAMPTONS DINING!

Spring has sprung here in the Hamptons.    The crocus have bloomed, the trees have buds and new restaurants are popping up everywhere.   But before I go into what’s new, let’s talk about what is no longer around.   Let’s bow our heads for a moment of silence and say something kind about a few of the shuttered establishments.

Old Stove Pub-They really knew how to kill a cow twice.

Hudson Blue Crab House – They employed a lot of people in witness protection.

EMP Summer House – I always knew who was there every minute… thanks Instagram.

Bay Burger – The Jazz nights were very jazzy.

The Princess Diner – It was better than prison food.

Now onto the brighter side of things.   There are more than a few new restaurants coming to the east end this summer.    One bit of news is that we’ll have not one but TWO new Mexican restaurants coming to town.   One is from the folks at Nick and Toni’s and La Fondita.     It’s called Coche Comedor and from what I read on Edible East End, it’s going to be amazing.  You can read the details by clicking here.   Although, they said they were opening in April, my “sources” tell me it’s actually opening later this week which believe it or not is MAY!    I’m sure it will be great and besides I’ve always been a fan of Commodores (especially with Lionel).

The other Mexican is an upgrade from La Superica in Sag Harbor.   I actually liked the food at Superica but found

Coche
The Old Honest Diner is now Coche Comedor

the party atmosphere (which often included the staff) a little frustrating and too much for even this hipster.  Anyway, the folks from Sen in Sag Harbor are upping the ante, renovating and hoping to open K-Pasa by this memorial day.  The Sag Harbor Express broke the big news back in February but the clever name was just announced recently.   K-Pasa…. Get it!?!?!  Personally I would have preferred if it were named “Tequila  Mockingbirds” or “Taco bout It” or “Guacstar” or … Ok, I’ll stop.   You can read more about by clicking the link to the article here.

But enough about Mexican, this is the Hamptons…. where is the seafood?   Well for those who like to have their fish and filet it too there will be Ed’s Lobster Bar in Sag Harbor.   Going into the slot formerly occupied by Bay Burger on Sag Harbor-Bridgehampton Turnpike.   The building will be refitted to resemble a sea side cottage and feature both indoor and outdoor seating.    My idea was to keep it Bay Burger but add roller skating waiters and have trays for the car window.   But hey there’s a reason I’m not in the restaurant business.    Apparently Ed’s is a big deal in SOHO and they’ll be bringing the same cool vibe to here in the Hamptons.   If you want more details, you can read more about Ed’s in 27 East by clicking here.

Finally, some major switcharooing in East Hampton.   Hold your hats for this one…. The folks behind Bay Kitchen in East Hampton which used to be Bostwick’s are heading to the site of the former Princess Diner in Southampton.   The new establishment will be

Silver Linings
The Princess has left the diner!

called Silver Lining Diner.    The menu will be a bit more upscale than your average diner and you can read more about it here.   Ok, are you following me?    So, now the place that was Bay Kitchen for the past few years and The Boat House before that will become Bostwick’s once again!   Meanwhile, Bostwick’s which is currently on Rt. 27 at the former Snow Flake will stay put and remain Bostwick’s Chowder House.   So you’ll have two Bostwick’s to choose from this summer.

Oh and one last thing, if you’ve driven by the site of the former Agave, Mercado and Hudson Blue Crab House you may have noticed there has been some renovating going on.  Rumor has it they’ll soon be reopening as the Gawanus Canal Lobster Company!   Just kidding,  I’m not actually sure what’s going on but I heard a new restaurant will be going in the spot, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.    Also, Michael’s restaurant in Springs is relocating to the site of their other location known as The Blend on Three Mile Harbor Rd, East Hampton.

That’s all folks.