Can you hear me now??! Plus, Patrons see Red at Stix!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being invited to a friend’s wedding in Montauk.    It really was a beautiful reception but the reception at the reception was terrible!   But hey anyone who has spent more than one day in the Hamptons can tell you that.   Its not that I was being rude or doing work but I was trying to upload photos to the old FB and it was a cellular wasteland!  Ironically, after noticing a black fly in my chardonnay, I realized I just got back from a trip to Ireland where in the middle of nothing but sheep and pubs there were at least 3 bars and 4 pubs at all time!   It was a great trip!
So where in the Hamptons are the dead zones?  Well I started taking note and I’m here to share.   So if you’re driving or hanging out east and your boss calls you, if you study my map you can say for example, “I’m driving on Scuttle Hole Road and I’m about to lose you,”  even if you’re in East Hampton Village.   I have ATT and the dead areas are noted by the “A”… Verizon is noted by the “V” and came after consulting a friend.   Just remember, this is just from OUR experience and maybe our  I phones are at fault.  We don’t want no trouble from anyone!
V is Verizon dead zone, A is ATT!

 

The crowd at Red Stix!

Meanwhile, as we stand on the verge of getting another Asian restaurant in the Hamptons (see yesterday’s blog which Curbed already wrote about) the news about the latest entry is mixed at best.   Last week I stopped by with some friends at the very expensive and very crowded Red Stix.  While I can tell you they’re doing gang busters, there were a few frustrated patrons who decided an hour and a half was too long to wait for their stir fry!   The table next to us high tailed it out of there after waiting, while we stuck it out.   Suffice to say, the food was good…. actually very good.  But if you’re going to charge those prices you better get the food out on time!  That’s just my opinion.

 

Mysterious Moves on 27 in East Hampton!

According to their Facebook page, Highway diner in East Hampton has indeed changed hands and the lease was sold to an “very talented group.”      There was a lot of speculation about what was to become of the most cursed location in the Hamptons since the Water Mill

The end of the Highway!

shopping center!   By the way, any news on how West Elm is actually doing?    A few weeks ago, some eagle eyed readers noticed there was an ad for waiters and waitresses needed at the diner but nothing much happened.  The “Reopening in March” sign came and went and now it’s gone and so is much of the restaurants interior.    Construction crews have been there morning till night and it looks like there are some training sessions going on for staff inside.    But here’s where the news gets a little more depressing, apparently they are going to open as a new Japanese restaurant…. yes another Asian Restaurant!    This I think may be a nail in the coffin of Zokkon which was being operated by the former chef Suki Zuki, which in spite of some really good food, the place appears to be struggling.    I just hope for their sake Highway Diner isn’t becoming a Nobu.

I drove by and asked one of the employees in the lot what’s going on and they indeed confirmed a Japanese restaurant.   If you got the real inside scoop, please let me know.  Here’s the posting on the Facebook page.

Highway Diner & Bar has been sold. Thanks to all of the guests who made the Highway a special place in our community. We will leave it to the new owners to announce their future plans but we can reveal they are a very talented group so you can expect great food in a beautiful space. Have a wonderful Summer.UPDATE:  Someone pointed out that the know-it-alls at Curbed.com already got the inside scoop on this one!  Here’s the LINK!

Now for the other mystery in East Hampton.   Why has there been an East Hampton Town Police car sitting there for the past 2 weeks.   There doesn’t appear to be anybody in the car and it sits there empty day after day keeping a very watching eye on the Highway Diner and the green tank!   I’m only waiting for someone who is texting and driving to side swipe or hit it.   Is it me or is does this seem like an accident waiting to happen?  Does anyone know why it’s there?

Putting some Zen in Your Yogurt…. and Surfing for Surf Stats!

 

The Hello Kitty Brothel (google the image you’ll understand) in Sag Harbor better known as Yummlicious is getting some new competition.   Located on Main Street in Sag Harbor at the former Well Nest is “Buddha Berry Frozen Yogurt.”   Billing itself as a waffle and coffee bar  the frozen dessert factory features a solid wall full of contemporary and classic flavors from cookies and cream to old fashioned Chocolate chip mint.   There is also plenty gummy bears, chocolate chips and sprinkles to pile on top and put any spoiled Hamptons child into a diabetic shock!   I mean nothing says healthy like frozen yogurt topped with gummy bears and chocolate!   But wait… or should I say weight….  the frozen yogurt is SELF SERVE and they charge you by the weight!!!   This is pure genius that so why mom and dad are busy texting the yoga instructors and trainers, little Veruka and Spalding (after he gets the foot off the boat) can go to town and force their proud parents to pay the tab.      This is like putting free crappy prizes in Frosted Flakes genius!!!     While I can’t say if the yogurts good or bad, I had no patience to have anyone weigh my cookies and cream so you’ll have to go try it yourself.    They also have a zen yogurt garden too!

Trendy surfers form Montauk!
Meanwhile,  I don’t surf and I have no intention to be shark bait anytime in the near future.  But I know plenty of folks that do and its always great running into them on the beach checking the waves. But here’s a question for my friends who enjoy dressing in Neoprene and hopping into the surf; why not just go on line and check out the conditions online Sufline.   Featuring  live web cams from Main Beach and other local surf spots, boarders (do they call themselves that?)  can also get detailed reports on wind, tides and swell conditions.   Now, isn’t that easier than driving all the way to the beach to check on the surf?     OK, now get off your computer and go hang 10.
Get down tonight!   KC and the Sunshine Band!
Ok, now call me cynical but there is an unintentially humorous interview with K.C. of the Sunshine Band fame over on Hamptons.com.    Now I’m not picking on the poor interviewer who did this one, she probably had no idea who was interviewing.   In a nutshell for those of you who don’t know, they had slew of catchy dance hits in the mid 70’s and had a song on the second album B-side of Saturday Night Fever.  The coffee through the nose moment for me when reading this was, “With so much love for music I wondered why it had been so long since his last album?”   REALLY?  Answer:  Demand… It’s not 1977!!   Now comes the part where I’m nice.   I do have KC and the Sunshine band on my 70’s play list on my I pad and I bet the show this weekend at the Ross School will be an absolute blast with some good retro disco dancing.   If you want tickets to go see one of the “most dynamic front men in music” you can get tickets and information here.    So put on your boogie shoes and get going!  Ewww…. Boogie shoes… gross!

Avoid the Soulpsychos …. Plus, the Latest Threat to Property Values!

While we still lament the departure of Tiffany a few weeks ago. We (royal) are taking solace in the fact that there is actually something cool that took its place.   I mean, it could have been a Kardashian pop-up or worse yet another real estate office!  But alas, that’s not what we got! Instead we have something to make the Hamptons a little more civilized on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the season, Peloton!   OK, what exactly is Peloton?   It’s the cure for the overly aggressive Lululemon wearing…. Range Rover driving… Vitamin water drinking…. Soul Psychos!   Rather than jockeying online to reserve a spot at an overly crowded spin class, you can instead buy one of Peloton’s bikes for about $2000, pay a small monthly membership and join in via-video for one of a dozen or so classes a day live from New York City!    The bikes come with a video screen where you monitor the class and have your stats sent back to the studio, so don’t try reading the paper while you pedal.    They’ll know if your sweating or riding like your grandmother!   I took a look at one of the bikes at the store on Main Street East Hampton and this stuff is cool! But don’t worry, if you’re Internet is slow… thank you Optimum…. you can download and store classes on the monitor’s hard drive!     If you’re curious, take a look at this video.    I know I want one of these!  Here’s the link!
 
Could this be bad for owners of historical homes!

Meanwhile, if your’e fit, you’ll be living longer and if you’re living longer you can protect your property values!  SAYYYYYYY WHAT???!   I kid you not!    As if the real estate market weren’t confusing enough, between potentially rising interest rates and an unpredictable market now you have to worry if someone has died in your home!   OMG!  I can hear it now  “Mrs. Freeling, while my clients love Cuesta Verde, this house is not clear… and my buyers want to offer you 25% off of your asking price!” Now, I don’t know about you but I’m not sure I buy the whole ghost thing.  I’ve only seen one in my life and that was after taking an ambien with a margarita!    If you think I’m joking, check out the website DiedinHouse.com!    I know it’s a very catchy name, right?  Its kind of like listing your home on overpricedgarbageforsalebyowner.com!

Finally, some new restaurant reports coming later in the week!   Plus…. go see Conviction at Bay Street Theater!   Some of the best performances of any show on any stage anywhere!