Eat, Pray, Love Handles — Restaurant Week Is Back!

November 3, 2025

Long Island Restaurant Week: The Hamptons Edition — From Westhampton to Montauk

It’s that magical time again — Long Island Restaurant Week is here.

That means three-course prix-fixe menus, delicious fall flavors, and an excuse to ditch your kitchen and make a dinner reservation stat.

While the Island is packed with great spots, we’re focusing on what really matters: the Hamptons lineup — Westhampton to Montauk. Here’s your insider’s guide to where to eat, what to order, and how to look like you planned this weeks in advance.

Ivy on Main – Westhampton Beach

Modern coastal elegance with a side of Main Street people-watching. Ivy is offering a Restaurant Week prix-fixe menu, featuring seasonal seafood and locally sourced fall favorites.

Chatter Tip: Weeknight reservations are easier to snag — and quieter if you prefer conversation over chaos.

Here is the link for details: https://ivywesthamptonbeach.com/

Bridgehampton Inn Restaurant – Bridgehampton

Interior of the Bridgehampton Inn Restaurant — Bridgehampton Inn Restaurant — cozy, candlelit, and very “Nancy Meyers kitchen”.

Elegant and cozy, the Bridgehampton Inn is that sweet spot between “country-chic” and “fine dining.” Think seasonal ingredients, artfully plated, and a candlelit setting straight out of a Nancy Meyers film.

Chatter Tip: This is your go-to for a low-key QUIET dinner — It’s THE place if you actually want to dine and have a conversation. They also feature some amazing.drink specials… try something new! Here are the details for Restaurant week!

Elaia Estiatorio – Bridgehampton

Greek-inspired, fresh, and light — Elaia brings the Aegean to Bridgehampton with local fish, olive oil-forward dishes, and perfectly crisp wine pairings.

Chatter Tip: This is the place to take your friends who “just got back from Mykonos” and won’t stop talking about it. A fun and upbeat dining experience where you don’t have to wait till midnight to eat. Here is the Restaurant Week menu.

Nick & Toni’s – East Hampton

Exterior of Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton at night — Nick & Toni’s — the Hamptons classic that still nails it.

The Hamptons legend. It’s been the spot for decades — and still nails it with wood-fired everything, elegant simplicity, and that see-and-be-seen glow.

Chatter Tip: Weeknight dinner at the bar is the move. You’ll catch locals, low drama, and maybe a celeb quietly enjoying their branzino. But please don’t ask me for an autograph! Here is the Restaurant week menu.

Fresno – East Hampton

Outdoor patio at Fresno restaurant in East Hampton — Fresno — tucked away, relaxed, and seriously good.

Tucked just off the village, Fresno delivers modern American comfort with style — great wines, creative plating, and an intimate, under-the-radar setting.

Chatter Tip: The patio (even in fall) is pure magic. Bring a sweater, and you’re golden. Here is the website for Fresno.

The Palm – East Hampton

Old-school glamour meets surf-and-turf indulgence. The Palm is offering a hearty Restaurant Week prix-fixe — and yes, steak lovers, this one’s for you.

Chatter Tip: Pair your meal with a martini and pretend you’re sealing a deal. Bonus points if you actually are. Here is the link to The Palm’s Spring Restaurant week. Sorry can’t find one for the fall.

LDV at The Maidstone – East Hampton

Dining room at LDV at The Maidstone in East Hampton — LDV at The Maidstone — Italian-leaning, chic, and very East Hampton.

Italian-leaning, chic, and wrapped in East Hampton charm. The LDV team brings downtown Manhattan polish to a country-house setting — with seasonal pastas and cocktails worth the trip alone.

Chatter Tip: Ideal for a long, stylish dinner — or to pretend you’re in an old Ralph Lauren ad. Here is the link to the Restaurant Week Menu.

Chatter’s Final Thoughts

Book now. These spots fill up faster than Montauk parking on a July weekend.
Prix-Fixe Price: Most are offering three courses for around $46 — a steal by Hamptons standards.
Dress Code: Smart casual = your friend. Think “I just came from an art opening” not “I just came from spin.
Tag & brag: Post your favorites and tag #HamptonsChatter so we can drool appropriately.

Bon appétit, East Enders. Now go forth and prix-fixe like a pro.

SUMMER MAY BE OVER BUT YOU STILL NEED TO BE ON YOUR GUARD FOR TICKS!

October 21, 2025

WHY IS NEW CONSTRUCTION SO HOT!?

October 15, 2025

There’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal.

Builders are offering serious incentives today, and people are jumping on them. In fact, new home sales just hit their highest level in over two years (see graph below):

Why Builders Are Throwing in Perks

There are more newly built homes for sale right now than there have been in years. And as a buyer, that can help you in two big ways. It gives you more options to choose from on the market, and it motivates builders to sell their inventory before they build more.

That’s exactly why more buyers are scoring incentives like these:

Mortgage rate buydowns to shrink your monthly payment
Price cuts that make homeownership more attainable
Help with closing costs and even upgrades in some communities

The best part is, a lot of builders are offering these perks right now. According to Zonda, nearly 6 out of 10 new home communities are doing incentives on to-be-built homes. And over 75% are doing the same for quick move-ins, which are homes that are already built and ready to move into. As real estate analyst Nick Gerli explains:

“. . . builders are adjusting to the realities of the current housing market. They’ve cut prices 13 percent from peak, and are giving generous mortgage rate buydowns on top of that.”

The big takeaway is: builders are motivated to sell. So, you could snag a lower price and maybe even a lower mortgage rate if you buy new. If you’ve been feeling priced out, these offers might be your way back in.

You Have More Brand-New Options Than Normal

Since there are more new homes on the market than usual, that gives you more options than you’ve had in years. Whether you’re looking for something turnkey or want to personalize a build, odds are there’s more available near you than you may realize.

Even though the number of new homes for sale is up throughout the country, there are pockets where you have an even better chance to find a better price. According to Census data, here’s a high-level look at which parts of the country are seeing the biggest boost in newly built homes (see graph below):

Both the South and West have more new homes available, so you may find builders are even more willing to negotiate in these regions.

Just know that this opportunity won’t last forever. Recent data shows builders are slowing down their production efforts. And a lot of that is to avoid having too many homes for sale. As Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains:

“The slowdown in single-family home building has narrowed the home building pipeline. There are currently 621,000 single-family homes under construction, down 1% in July and 3.7% lower than a year ago. This is the lowest level since early 2021 as builders pull back on supply.”

Moving forward, the number of new options may start to shrink as builders focus more on selling what’s already built before they add more. So, the best time in years to buy a new home may actually be right now.

Bottom Line

With builders cutting prices and maybe even helping you score a lower monthly payment, that’s not something to overlook.

If you want to see how active builders are in your target area and what they’re offering, here’s your power move: before you even begin looking, let’s connect.

That way, you have your own agent to help you compare incentives from multiple builders and negotiate on your behalf, making sure you get the best deal possible.

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice.

Picking the Right Real Estate Agent

October 21, 2025October 10, 2025

In the age of endless listings, AI-written descriptions, and agents who juggle more properties than they could possibly remember, picking the right real estate agent can feel like finding a needle in a haystack — or in Hamptons terms, a parking space on Main Street in August.

But here’s the truth: the agent you choose can make or break your experience — not just the sale price, but how smooth, transparent, and stress-free the process feels.

So what should you look for in a real estate agent?

1. Someone Who Treats Real Estate as a Concierge Service

Buying or selling a home isn’t a drive-thru transaction. You deserve an agent who’s hands-on — someone who personally returns calls, handles details directly, and understands that no two clients or properties are the same.
That’s the approach I take. I don’t hand clients off or hide behind assistants. I answer my own phone because real estate is personal.

2. Proven Experience and Credibility

Credentials and results matter. Real estate is full of noise “I’M #1″— so it helps to look for verifiable recognition and performance, not just social media polish.
Being RealTrends Verified is one way sales results are independently confirmed, not just claimed. It’s one way to ensure clients know they’re working with a proven professional, not just someone with a big Instagram following.

3. Deep Community Roots and Reputation

In a close-knit place like the Hamptons, reputation and relationships open doors long before listings hit the MLS.
I’ve always thought is important to build strong connections through community involvement — something i know i strive to accomplish. Not to brag but… ha…. I was recognized when I was named to the 2025 Dan’s Papers Power List for local outreach. Those ties matter because they often lead to opportunities and insights before they go public.

4. Connections Within the Brokerage World

A good agent doesn’t work in isolation. Collaboration is key.
That’s why I’m part of a networking group of 50 top agents from across the major Hamptons brokerages. We meet monthly to share market intelligence and quietly preview listings. For sellers, that means more exposure; for buyers, it means access.

5. Quality Over Quantity

Some agents measure success by how many listings they collect. I measure it by how well I serve each client.
I focus on a select number of properties at a time — because marketing, negotiating, and managing a sale the right way requires time and attention.

The Bottom Line

The right real estate agent doesn’t just unlock doors — they create opportunity, protect your interests, and ensure you feel informed and supported every step of the way.

Whether you’re buying your first Hamptons home or selling your forever one, look for an agent who listens, communicates, and treats your goals like their own.