“THE” HAMPTONS ACCESSORY FOR THIS SUMMER…. AND SAG HARBOR’S LATEST EATERY!

While we just had a killer weekend in the Hamptons with warm temperatures, sunny skies and enough people you’d think it was 4th of July weekend…. the real story this past week was in Sag Harbor.   No, I’m not talking about the overly dressed folks with neck damaging bonnets strolling around Main Street.    I’m talking about the stuff that makes a difference and not with a chiropractor.

First of all the big story was the fact that the Sag Harbor Cinema was optioned for purchase by a non-profit group known as The Sag Harbor Partnership.   The group is hoping to make it into a local media and arts center, with screening rooms, classrooms

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FASHIONABLE AND FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

and an arts movie theater.   One way they’re trying to reach their multi-million dollar purchase price is through donations.     While there has already been at least one pledge of $1 million from one very generous supporter, the group is also welcoming more humble contributions..   One way you can contribute and for a lot less zeros in your checkbook is to head to Sylvester and Co. on Main Street in Sag Harbor and purchase one of these chic little chapeaus.    The “Sag” hat is selling for $29.00 and for each hat purchased $5 will go toward saving the cinema.    Hey, they’re chic they’re limited edition and they’re for a good cause.     But if you’re one of those fancy pants who is worried about the whole memorial day and white thing, relax white hats will be in stock by the end of the month.

Another stir in Sag Harbor is about the new restaurant at the site of the for

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A SNEAK PEEK AT “LULU.”

mer Doppio (that wasn’t an editorial comment about management of the failed establishment… they really named it that).     Wall Street big wig Marc Rowan from Apollo Management and the man behind Duryea’s in Montauk and Arbor is staking his claim in the village with “Lulu.” From what I’ve been told and read in “other publications” the vibe will be more casual with a menu of American fare featuring foods from a wood burning oven such as pizza, chicken and local fish.   It works for me.    So, if you’re wondering if the new restaurant will have a chic new look… you bet cha’.    I took a snap quick pick the other day and here is your look at Lulu. Look for an opening in the next two weeks and if you want to check their website… here it is.   They also have a facebook page with updates and information.

FinAluminum-Speed-Limit-Sign-K-2085ally while you may be wanting to rush to LULU or to buy your hat at SYLVESTER AND CO., I’m telling you that’s a bad idea.   The village recently installed 20 m.p.h. signs throughout town.    So slow down and don’t say I didn’t tell you.     They mean business in Sag.    Besides aren’t you here on vacation anyway?????????  TIME TO SLOW DOWN FOLKS!

DISCOUNT DINING ON THE EAST END… PLUS, WHY YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT TILL EXIT 70.

In case you haven’t noticed, it’s starting to look a lot like spring in the Hamptons.    Are the trees budding?   Have the lilies bloomed?   NO!   Traffic is picking up.   There are more cars today than there were last weekend and probably more next week.    One of the other rites of spring is also here, “RESTAURANT WEEK.”     From March 26th to April 2nd, a select number of eateries will be celebrating “East End Restaurant Week.”   I’m not sure how this IS different than “Hamptons Restaurant Week”….. but…..  many of the names are similar.   Fresno, Nick and Toni’s and Service Station in East Hampton, Le Charlot and Union Cantina in Southampton and Page, Wolffer Kitchen and Barons Cove in Sag Harbor are a few of the participating eateries.

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Zucchini Chips at N&T’s!

For a complete list of where to chow you can click here for the details. For a complete list of where to chow you can click here for the details.

Speaking of Union Cantina in Southampton..  I recently stopped by for dinner and was pleasantly surprised.   I went when they first opened and was initially underwhelmed.

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Deconstructed Enchiladas

Luckily, I decided to give them another shot.      You should too.    We started with what I assume are the homemade chips and guacamole,  very solid.   After that,  I had the “deconstructed” enchiladas, house salad and tortilla soup.    All were delicious with a little heat but not overwhelming.      The service was good… not great but good.   It could be that I was there on a snowy night and nobody really felt like working.   I know I didn’t feel like cooking on a snowy night!    We all love a snow day.    Anyway, I would say try for yourself and let me know if you agree.    Oh, the margaritas are definitely worth trying too…. not too sweet with a good kick.

Are we there yet??????  Are we there yet?    Well, I’m already here …. out of the traffic suckas!    But while you haul your buts… or is it butts… out here in the

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This just screams fun!  Unlike Sea World where there are just screams.

next few weeks there’s something new along the LIE!   I know…  excitement on the expressway!   No longer do you need to ignore your kids and spouses and declare they, “hold it in until exit 70.”     You now have the Long Island Visitors at Exit 52!   That nearly 18 exits sooner!!!  Yes, I’m good at math… I took Calculus 101 twice!     Anyway, “THE” answer is yes… they are clean bathrooms.    Plus, they have a a market featuring long island specialties and some fine cups of coffee too.    But for me, I had a whale of a good time just walking into the place (see photo).   It’s almost as fun as Sea World but nobody gets eaten by the giant fish!

 

 

A SNOW JOB …. SAG GETS JUST WHAT IT NEEDS-NOT… AND LAST CALL FOR BEACH PERMITS!

So you ran to the store and you bought all the eggs, bread and milk you could find and now you’re eating French toast for dinner.    You was had people!  Yep, after much hype and hoopla , the blizzard that wasn’t hit the East End.

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EH Main St. after “Fluffy”

Forecasters were so convinced of this snowpocalypse that they even gave it a name.   I can’t remember what it was and it’s a good thing.    As we all know, it was a big snooze here.    While we did have some icing roads and a power outage in The Springs, the most significant impact of the storm I’m now calling “Fluffy” was a down tree in the middle of Main Street East Hampton.    So there you have it, now it’s time for spring to begin.

 

Sag Harbor needs lots of things… a shoe repair shop, a great day spa, a doggy day care or even a Cheesecake Factory or Outback Steakhouse as discussed in previous blogs.

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Another bank..

One thing they don’t need is another bank.    Well guess what Hamptons folks, your prayers have once again been ignored.   JP Morgan Chase has set its sites on the location once occupied by Capital One.   An application has been made with the Village of Sag Harbor to obtain a “Certificate of Appropriateness from the Village Board of Historic Preservation and Architectural Review.”     I personally will benefit from the fact I don’t have to pay a service fee for ATMs in town since I bank at Manufacturers Hanover….err I mean Chemical Bank…. I mean Chase.    But a bank?!  How boring… like a real estate office.

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99 of these puppies left!

Beach Permits…  you can’t live with them and you can’t live without ’em.    But while Southampton Village and Flanders Village continues to sell permits in unlimited numbers, the can’t be said of East Hampton Village.    So, how many are left?   According to my top secret reconnaissance (i.e. I made a phone call) there are only 100 passes are left!  So take two minutes and go online here and get your beach pass, otherwise you might as well go to Ocean City, MD.  I would have insulted New Jersey here but my family keeps getting nasty about my blog posts!  OOOPS… I meant to give you the link to get your passes online!  Yep you can do that by clicking here.

 

 

I’m Back!

So, it’s been a good six months since I’ve put pen to paper or finger to key pad for this blog.   Did you miss me?    I bet you did.

So what’s happened since we last connected here?  Here’s the quick update on everything.. with links too!

Vine Street Cafe is coming to East Hampton in the old Cafe Max space.  Construction is currently under way with an opening target date of early May.    Via Curbed

CVS has erected a new monument in East Hampton at the site of the former bowling alley, now known by me as “Twin Peaks.” This is for obvious reasons.    Damn, I need a good cup of Joe and some cherry pie.   Old link from 27East.

Cue creepy Angelo Badalamenti music.

Speaking of bowling, EHIT has broken ground – that’s East Hampton Indoor Tennis for you couch potatoes – on a new mini-golf course and indoor bowling alley.  They’ll also have a bar there too… so you actually don’t care when you throw that gutter ball and putt the ball out-of-bounds. via Curbed

Grey Gardens has hit the market for $20,000,000.   Cat food and crazy relatives are sold separately.  NYTIMES

Actor Neil Patrick and his husband chef David Burke of Fabrique fame bought in East Hampton.  Err… wait… Who is David Burtka?  Oh. BehindtheHedges.com

Moby’s in East Hampton has been beached.   Eleven Madison Park will be opening a pop up called “EMP Summer House” in the former whale of a property.    I’m not sure but this sounds like a dangerous place for folks with a pacemaker.   LLNYC.COM

The former Fresh will soon be pushing naan when Saaz Of Southampton opens up a second outlet in the former Bridgehampton Eatery.    The NYT gave it a good review (google it…I’m not giving you the link) and so have many of my friends.   I just can’t touch the stuff since that one night with Jack Daniels when I lived about the Bombay Cafe in 1989.  HamptonsChatter 

Cheers in Amagansett Square.

The Meeting House in Amagansett hosted their last town gathering.  Wolffer Kitchen will soon be howling in the Square location.   Look for a similar….slash that… DIFFERENT menu to their already successful Sag Harbor Outlet.   Look for an opening sometime in May.  No word yet on how the wine list will look.   WolfferKitchen

The former B.Smith’s in Sag Harbor which sold last year to billionaire Ron Perlman is getting a makeover and will soon open as an “Outback Steakhouse.”    The restaurant chain is expected to… wait err… what?   Le Bilbo what?  Le Bilboquet?!    Really?    Good news for all of you clammering for a good Triangle De Thon Au Poivre Noir!  Le Bilboquet is opening in Sag Harbor!   By the way, how did Harlow do there?   HamptonsMagazine

Gone… forgotten?

Finally, The General Home Store in East Hampton is apparently under renovation.   Paper now covers the windows where there are all the wine glasses and pricey trash cans your heart desires.. … THE general Home Store.  Across the drive way from Walbaums.   Next to Fierro’s pizza.   You know, on the corner?   It’s next to Gubbins’ too?   $200 trivets?  Whatever…. forget it.   Crickets.

Now this is all out of the way, I can go back to making Hamptons blogging great again.