HAMPTONS DINING IN THE TIME OF CORONOVIRUS!!

If you’re like me social distancing is starting to take a toll.   I’ve been cleaning my house and now I swear I’ve turned into a Hamptons gay Erma Bombeck or Prymate Conehead.  I hate housework, I hate cooking and I have nothing against a glass of wine at 12:01 pm.  In fact, I’m ready to throw in the towel with all of this domestic shit but I know that only means I’ll end of washing it.

But before I sound like I’m totally hausfrau, I want you to know I have a new attitude.  Kinda like Patti Labelle but with less dramatic hair.    I’m not cooking.  That’s right I’m not eating out but thanks to a few local folks who are braving the world to open their kitchens I can enjoy my meals again.    Seriously, this is great and I give these folks credit.   We all need to support local businesses in these troubling times.   So, get online or pick up the phone and order food to go from one these amazing places.  Besides you really don’t want another Stouffer’s lasagna anyway.

Roasted Cauliflower at Lulu

Lulu Kitchen and Bar – Sag Harbor – Available Wednesday to Sunday 3-8pm.   Make sure you try the Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Beef Bourguignon and the amazingly great freshly baked baguettes.   Click here for details or call 631-725-0900.

Page at 63 Main – Sag Harbor – Available Thursday to Tuesday 4:30-7:30 pm.   The dishes to order are the 5 Cheese Mac-n-Cheese and the Braised Beef Short Ribs.    I only wish the Coconut Cake was on the current menu!!!!    Click here for more information or call 631-725-1810

Fresno’s Salmon Tartare

Fresno Restaurant – East Hampton – Available Thursday through Monday 5:00-7:30pm with last orders taken at 7.    Make sure you try the Roasted Chicken Breast with Haricot Vert and Mashed… my go to feel good dish.  Also, I love the Pan Seared Salmon (also the Tartare) with cous-cous and buerre blanc.    Oh and make sure you get a side of the fries.  THEY MAKE SOME OF THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE HAMPTONS.  Yes, there are some fries that are better than others!   Click here for details or call 631-324-8700

East Hampton Grill – East Hampton – Take out hours vary but open for lunch and dinner.   The Heavenly Biscuits, The Crispy Chicken Po-Boy and BBQ Ribs all travel well and are three of the most popular items on their menu.    Beer and wine are also available to go.  Click here for details or call 631-329-6666.

Peter Ambrose’s dinner of the day!

Events by Peter Ambrose – Sag Harbor – If you want something a little different try this service that offers different family style meals every day.   They’ll deliver right to your doorstep for $25.00 per person with a minimum of 2 + tax and delivery.   Some of Pete’s upcoming dishes are Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Mushroom Sauce and Roasted Turkey Breast with Dijon Aioli and pan gravy.   Click here for complete menu and more details or call 641-334-3090.

NEW CHIEFS AND CHEFS FOR INDIAN WELLS TAVERN!

THE FINAL POW WOW IS AROUND THE CORNER FOR INDIAN WELLS.

The wagons have circled and it looks as though changes are a comin’ to Indian Wells Tavern in Amagansett. What is easily one of the most popular watering holes around will be shuttering its doors at the beginning of March. From what I’m told the Main Street location is in for a slight make over as the team behind Highway Restaurant takes over the reigns. The new establishment will allegedly stay pretty similar to the current “tavern” menu but with a slightly “higher end” flair. According to sources, (sources LOL, it almost sounds like I’m a real blog!) staff of the Tavern was told of the changes earlier this week. I only hope that with these changes current owners Kevin Boles and Chris Eggart carry their Wednesday Fajita Nights to either Bostwick’s locations.

Meanwhile on another night… I mean note…. it’s that time of year. Yes, permits for East Hampton Village beaches are now on sale. Every year I tell folks to do it early and EVERY year I hear how they ran out and you have to actually ride your bikes to the beach. The 3,100 permits usually run out around late March so get on it! You can click here to get all the details and apply for your permit online.

One word of caution for anyone who gets a permit. Last year I had damaged my license plates and had to get new ones with a new number. MISTAKE! I forgot my beach permit has the license plate number written on it and got a hefty $200 ticket. I tried to fight it but after two emails and one written letter I gave up. Learn from my mistake… you’re welcome.

FINAL THOUGHTS…. Why are there telephone poles on Wireless rd.?

WISHES FOR 2020! PLUS A TASTY PRIX FIXE!

I’m still reeling from the coal in my stocking this holiday season.    I mean I’m not poor, poor, pitiful me but I was hoping for a brand new shiny MacBook so I could bring you  more Hamptons Chatter!    But enough complaining!   Because the optimist that I am, my gaze is now turning toward the new year!    So what will it take to make me truly happy…. other than a good script of Zoloft?   Wait no further, here are my wishes for not only me but everyone in the Hamptons.    Remember, a few years ago I wished for a few  more good Mexican restaurants and now we have two (Coche Comedor and K Pasa).

Domino’s Pizza or Little Caesars – Since Phoenix restaurant in Wainscott closed the home delivery thing in the Hamptons sucks.    I grew up in suburbia and although we didn’t have Ubereats or anything of a sort, we at least had pizza delivery!!    While I know the above pizza companies aren’t exactly gourmet, they deliver!   I’m not picky, I’m just lazy.

More Cell Towers – A few years ago, I wrote a blog about all the dead zones out east (click here)   Well not much has changed in the 6  years since I wrote that piece.    If you don’t believe me how bad it is on the East End, download the Open Signal app.   It will

CELLMAP2
A VERY CRUDE MAP;  A is an ATT dead zone.  V is Verizon dead zone.

show you how bad it actually gets.    The one thing that has changed is that more folks are abandoning landlines for cell service only.     Where a few years ago, cell phones were a luxury they are now necessity.    The fact the Hamptons have such limited service is not only dangerous it’s irresponsible.  UPDATE:   It looks as if something is happening soon… for ATT users !!!  CLICK HERE

An Upgraded Movie Theater – I love going to the movies.   The popcorn, the shared experience and the amazing real estate commercial before the film even starts are all part of a great evening.    But lately, I’m having CINEMA ENVY.    Social media posts by all of those snowbirds in Florida flaunting reclining chairs and big glasses of Chardonnay while watching Star Wars have me wanting that experience here.

Tuto
Cool Temps & Red Hot Deal

I know most folks would pay more just to avoid having the seat where your legs are in your mouth and a spring is puncturing your back.

Well enough wishing and complaining for now anyway.    If you’re looking for something good to do this time of year and I know the options are limited… I’m going to start talking about some of the great prix fixes going on right now.   My first choice right now is Tutto Il Giorno in Southampton and Sag Harbor.   On Thursday and Sunday’s they’re offering a 3 course dinner and two glasses of wine for 2 at $59.00 (not including tip).   Considering that’s the price of a single entree at some places, this is a great deal.   Not only that the food is off the hook but not exactly low calorie.    I will also say, this place has some of the best atmosphere of any eatery on the East End.    Well that’s it for me this time around.. MANGIA!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRES FROMAGE… WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THAT ANNOYING “?”

If you’ve driven through Bridgehampton anytime in say the past 5 months, you probably noticed an annoying question mark posted for all to see.    While I like a good mystery as questionmarkmuch as the next Scooby Doo or Shaggy, after months of watching the virtual gut renovation of the former Hudson Blue/Mercado/Agave restaurant I had enough.   So I started sniffing around.    So, after looking through windows (I saw some bistro chairs and a POS system) and a few phone calls to the right people I’ve discovered it’s apparently going to be ‘french bakery and cafe.”   Ohhhh laa laaa.  Yes, once again my hopes of having an Ihop in the Hamptons have been dashed.     I don’t know much more than what I’ve told you but I’ll keep you informed as I hear anything new.  I mean this is a blog, not the NY Times… I can only investigate so much.

Meanwhile, the summer may be over but there’s still plenty to do here on the east end.  This Thursday the Hamptons International Film Festival kicks off their 27th year with a special screening of Mariah Carey’s directorial debut of her “Citizen Kane” remake.   The film starring Steven Seagal already took the top prize at the Cannes … Ok, I can’t even joke about this anymore it’s too sick.   But could you imagine?    It would make Madonna’s Swept Away look like… well Citizen Kane!     Actually I don’t know what the kick off film is but you can CLICK HERE and get all the details that you need for buying tickets and what’s playing.     I will tell you the BIG ticket this year is Martin Scorsese’s THE IRISHMAN, starring Robert DeNiro.     The festival starts Thursday and ends Monday the 14th.