Brady’s Card Vault Scores a Touchdown… Just in Time for Another Prix Fixe Blitz

CELEB NEWS, Tom Brady is heading to East Hampton—but not to toss a football or rekindle anything with Gisele. The NFL legend is opening another Card Vault, this time taking over the former Tod’s/Tory Burch spot in the heart of the village. With locations already in Massachusetts and Connecticut and East Rutherford NJ, this high-end trading card shop is apparently where touchdowns meet Topps. I recently brought it up while watching Patti LuPone’s one-woman show at Symphony Space (as one does), and the reactions were… mixed. A few friends asked if he was selling credit cards, one wondered aloud if Gisele would be doing the decorating, and the rest had never heard of him. I didn’t have the heart to explain. But cheers to my friend Eileen O’Neill of Corcoran for brokering the deal—and for those who actually do follow Brady, rumor has it he’ll be in town Memorial Day weekend for the grand opening. Get your selfie sticks and rookie cards ready.

Didn’t we just do this? Yes, Long Island Restaurant Week is back again—because apparently, our waistlines didn’t suffer enough in January. Running from April 27th to May 4th, the spring edition offers prix fixe menus that’ll tempt you into carbs and cocktails all over again. Some Hamptons heavy-hitters joining the gluttony this round include Barons Cove, Nick & Toni’s, Page, Rumba, The Palm, Il Buco, Flora and Fauna (yes, both), LDV at Maidstone Inn, Ocean Club Montauk, Cowfish, Cove Hollow Tavern, Kalissa, and Bridgehampton Inn. Whether you’re pretending to be “just here for the salad” or diving fork-first into dessert, there’s something for everyone—except maybe your skinny jeans. Full list and menus at www.longislandrestaurantweek.com. Bon appétit, again.

Finally, all aboard the retail express—next stop: confusion! A few months back, a not-so-subtle (yet somehow still invisible) “available retail space” sign popped up at the East Hampton LIRR station, offering a 613-square-foot “opportunity” that includes 125 square feet of exclusive retail space and 488 square feet shared with the M.T.A.—yes, including a bathroom. According to the M.T.A., anything from a newsstand to a full-service restaurant is possible… just hold the tobacco, adult content, and apparently, joy. Tenants are also required to keep the waiting room and restroom open daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. all summer—because who doesn’t dream of being a bathroom attendant in paradise? Bids were supposedly due in February, but the sign’s still up and it’s still on LoopNet. As for CBRE? I searched harder than an LIRR conductor checking tickets and found nada. Similar spaces are also available in Southampton and Amagansett if you’re looking to train for retail glory.

Yeah, I know the shirtless pic of Brady is gratuitous. But I know my audience.

“Tacos Fold, Traffic Flips, and Gurney’s Gets gigi-fied: Just Another Week in the Hamptons”

El Taco Bar going back to the burgers!

Just a few short seasons ago, El Taco Bar in Sag Harbor salsa’d onto the scene with a flurry of fanfare, promising handmade tortillas, curated cocktails, and “authentic Mexican cuisine” courtesy of Chef Laurent Tourondel. But now? The only thing sizzling is the rumor mill. Despite signs on the door boldly declaring they’ll be back this spring, brown paper over the windows tells a different story—the first clue that a makeover is clearly underway. And spoiler alert: it’s not a fresh coat of lime paint. Word on the street is that El Taco is folding faster than a soft-shell tortilla and making way for an revamped —LT Burger (not sure if they’re actually keeping the name). Yep, they’re shelving the tacos and tequila and going back to burgers and fries. It’s a full circle moment, or should we say a full patty comeback. Apparently, they couldn’t taco the pressure. Forgive me while I add one final comment on this makeover, maybe add some smiles to the staff and management.

More food news: Gurney’s Montauk is shaking things up this summer with the debut of not one, but two new dining spots. Coming early summer 2025, they’ll unveil gigi’s montauk—yes, all lowercase, because it’s casual but make it fancy. Billed as their new flagship, gigi’s promises New-American fare where “coastal charm meets seasonal innovation” and menus inspired by the sea and local ingredients. Meanwhile, a more laid-back café called Dune will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner—perfect for post-beach bites or a pre-spa latte. But while Gurney’s is riding the rebranding wave, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Scarpetta, once their culinary crown jewel, has since taken up very stylish residence at the Maidstone Inn in East Hampton. Will gigi’s make the same splash? Or is it just another tide rolling in? Time—and reservations—will tell.

Get ready, Hamptons commuters—traffic on County Road 39 is about to get a major remix. Starting Monday, April 21, and running for two weeks, Southampton Town is rolling out a bold traffic experiment. From 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, key intersections between North Main Street and Sunrise Highway will be switching things up: think blinking yellows, steady greens, and absolutely no left turns. That’s right—cross traffic and left turns at Sandy Hollow, Magee, and Tuckahoe Roads are getting the red light (literally), all in the name of easing the eastbound crawl. Police will be out in full force—on the ground and in the air, thanks to drones—making sure no one pulls a sneaky U-turn. If you live on a side street, brace yourself: you’ll need to plan alternate routes and make peace with the right turn. The hope? A smoother, faster commute. The reality? We’ll see and it’s ONLY APRIL!

Paws, Sauce & Applause: Hamptons Heats Up with Two New Pizza Joints and a Doggone Fabulous Pageant

Well, pour one out for Kizzy-T’s—our beloved little East Hampton haunt that managed to serve charm and chow without the side of theatrics. Taking its place? None other than Crazy Pizza, (click here to learn about Crazy Pizza) the flashy import from SoHo, where apparently pizza needs to be served with a show and a manifesto. According to their website, they’re bringing “an Italian oasis” to our quaint village, because what East Hampton really needed was more imported vibes and fewer local gems. While they wax poetic about “bold new flavors” and “elevated culinary visions,” we’re just hoping they don’t charge $45 for a margherita and a round of interpretive dance. Stay tuned, folks—it’s pizza, but make it drama. BTW, friends in the city have given Crazy Pizza some major thumbs up.


As you remember (you do, right?) we have two beloved pups. Bella, a black mixed breed who is now getting on to “dowager” status, and Ralphie, an incredibly dignified beagle. And by “dignified,” I mean “not really.” And not ready for dog shows. Dog agility? Ralphie jumps like a sack of potatoes. Obedience? Ah hahahaha, he’s a beagle. Of course, he is the cutest and bestest boy there is, but it’s hard to tell from a photograph.

Which is why I’m unsure whether we’ll be entering the Inaugural Baron’s Cove Doggie Pageant. Sure, Bella would have Evening Wear locked up, or would have if Chanel Chien hadn’t closed up shop, and Ralphie would win the Swimsuit competition rocking a tiny pair of Vilebrequin trunks, but I don’t want to make my dogs feel as if their only value is their looks.

Of course it’s all for a good cause–Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. If you can’t make the pageant in person on May 18, ESPN will surely be streaming it later. Click here for more details.

Finally one more bit of pizza news. Pizza Pizza is now part of Cluckman’s on Water Street in Sag Harbor. If you’re looking for a quick slice on the go… this is your spot. It’s good and hearty pizza with an eclectic and large selection of slices. The safe is also friendly and attentive. So give it a try and let me know what you think!

< Cluckman’s Pizza!

FORECASTING THE SUMMER RENTAL SEASON…

HARBOR FROST FIREWORKS! INSTAGRAM @DISCOVERLONGISLAND

Shake off the winter blues and head to Sag Harbor this weekend for HarborFrost. The celebration of fire and ice that’s sure to warm up the season. The highlight? Kicking off with A Winter Taste of Sag Harbor on Friday, February 7th, at 5:30 PM at the Sag Harbor Cinema, you can indulge in bites from over a dozen of the area’s top restaurants. You can also sip on local brews from Kidd Squid Brewing, and enjoy mingling with friends and neighbors. Tickets are $60 for the public $50 for Sag Harbor Chamber members. This is your chance to savor the flavors of the community while kicking off an exciting weekend of festivities. Don’t let the cold keep you inside—get ready for a weekend of tasteful moments ahead! Click here for a complete list of events this weekend.

Like Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, the pace at which East Hampton Village non-resident beach parking permits has become a bellwether for the upcoming summer season. So what are we seeing? Well, this year’s slower sales may signal trouble for landlords. The COVID-fueled rental frenzy of the past few years is over. Which means the days of tenants sparing no expense for a summer rental are also over. In the past few years, the first business day of February has unleashed a whilrwind of hopefuls lining up at dawn and battling online crashes for one of 3,100 coveted $750 passes. But this year, the urgency feels different. Here we are on Friday and passes are still available. If demand is any indicator, landlords may need to rethink their pricing—because while summer waits for no one, tenants just might. If you’ve yet to secure a pass, click on the link here and get started before it’s too late. BTW, the stickers are back!