Is the Grill cooked… and we need a little Christmas in the Hamptons!

I know it’s been wayyyyyyyyy toooo long since my last blog. But hey, really… I’ve been busy. So anyway, what’s going on, let me see.

Last month, the GRILL ON PANTIGO, formerly Wei Fun quietly closed their door for the season. But while the sign on the door says “see you next spring” the rumor is that the reopening will be “Wei unlikely.” Apparently after an uneventful summer season, the owners have quietly but the business and the building on the block for a cool $5,000,000. I asked the management will they be reopening next spring and they claim they’ll be there come warm weather… we’ll see. While the inside space is pretty awesome, the food there just didn’t cut the mustard…. or the house specialty rubber chicken (It made airplane food look good). I know it’s not the location because before it was Wei Fun it was O’Malley’s which was in the location for almost 20 years. Whatever it was O’Malley’s was packed every night year round, let’s hope the owners can get it right with the next incarnation.

Meanwhile, what’s up with the lack of festivity in the Hamptons. I decided I was going to try and spot some of the best decorated windows around town from Montauk to Southampton. So you know how many windows I found worth discussing? 3! Yep, that’s it folks three windows. Somewhere the Grinch is smiling about the humbuggery in the Hamptons. So who is worth discussing this holiday season?

Well, JCrew for one… it’s festive its fun and it looks like it took more than 20 minutes to put together! Yeah J Crew.

The other two are Ralph Lauren (we’ll say all three stores) look awesome. But what else would you expect from the brand that ate the Hamptons. It’s chic and unassuming and puts you in the holiday mood. So if your in East Hampton, check out Rugby, Polo Kids and the Polo stores.

Finally, I loved COMERFORDS windows in Bridgehampton. It’s a funky metal Christmas tree in lights and a snow covered terrain that looks like it was made from old window shades. Totally cool and very innovative, the window is one of the funkiest in the Hamptons. So anyway, I’m trying to get more organized and get more blogs up. Please be patient and happy holidays everyone!!!

How to de-haunt your house… some restaurant obits.. and Bieberfever to hit the Hamptons?

I don’t know what to say, I’m so annoyed at myself for neglecting my little blog. At one point I was getting about 300 to 400 hits a day but alas, I took a few weeks off due to a cold, exhaustion and creative drain. You don’t think this blog just writes itself do you??! So how can I make it up to you? I’m not sure but here it goes.

Sad news… very sad news….one of East Hamptons favorite spots Turtle Crossing is no more! But more on that in a minute… also sad… La Fondita, the best Mexican food in the Hamptons will soon be closed for the season. What’s worse is they won’t be selling their amazing tortilla soup and tacos at Town Line BBQ this winter!! Two years ago it was great to go to town line and have your choice from either menu. I’m sad. I will say that Estia in Sag Harbor actually has some pretty good Mexican options on their menu if you’re going into withdrawal. The tacos and the home made chips and guacamole could hold their own at any cantina in the city!

Now, Back to restaurants closing, according to their facebook page “Turtle Crossing” in East Hampton has shuttered their doors for good. Sad news! They’ve entered the zone of restaurants past along with … here’s a shocker… RUGOSA! What there wasn’t a demand for “roast pheasant in plumb sauce” in the Hamptons!?” We all knew Rugosa’s location there is a little jinxed or at least haunted. And speaking of…

So, this may be a day late and a dollar short but a website called www.creditsesame.com is offering some tips on how to keep your house from being haunted! What are some of their ideas? Nail a horseshoe over the front door! WHAT?!!! HAVE THESE PEOPLE EVER SEEN A ROADRUNNER CARTOON!? Horsehoes are deadly! How about a nice MEZEZUAH instead? Yep, that’s one of their suggestions too. Along with painting the porch “Haint” blue, because it resembles water and ghosts are apparently afraid of water. Hmmmm… ok.

Also, make sure your stairs don’t have a number that is divisible by 3! This is of course the Filipino tradition of “Oro, Platta, Mata.” Of course we knew about that already. Divide by three? I’d be better at calculating 3% or 6% for that matter (realtor humor)! Anyway, if you want to read more… go the website and check it out and click in the blogs section. By the way, I hear Murph’s in Sag Harbor is allegedly haunted. I don’t think they need to paint the porch blue if they want to get rid of the ghouls in that place, they just need to raise the prices!!!

Finally, is it true or not? A broker friend of mine allegedy got a call from some guy who says he works for Justin Bieber. Apparently the Biebster is looking to find a house in the Hamptons. Fashon trend alert, tupperware bowl cuts for everyone!!! Oh the humanity!

Why some people just hate the Hamptons Buzz!

Well it’s been a few weeks since I sat down and blogged but I’m back after a brief hiatus. It was the end of the summer here and I just needed some time to breathe and enjoy the east end. The crazy crowds are gone and the planes, helicopters and sea planes have gone south for the winter. Speaking of the air traffic. A group of local citizens are calling themselves the “QUIET SKIES COALITION.” Their mission is to do something about the ever increasing air traffic on the east end. According the group summer traffic at East Hampton Airport is about the same as Islip! Which according to the group is all the more absurd because it’s a “FAA UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT” subject to no local regulation. Considering the volume they have, they believe it’s a disaster waiting to happen or at the very least get worse. There is also some concern about the property values of those who lie in the path of these planes and Sikorsky helicopters. Anyway, if you want more information about the Quiet Skies Coalition you can e mail them at info@quietskiescoalition.org or visit the website www.quietskiescoalition.org.

Meanwhile, most of this summer I have avoided the new Mexican restaurant Agave in Bridgehampton. Well I’ve since gone their twice and I will say the talk about it is a little unfair. While it’s not Rosa Mexicana, it is a definite improvement over the food at Blue Parrot. The chips were freshly fried, the service friendly and responsive. I’ve tried the enchiladas and the fajitas at Agave and I’ll say both were pretty good. The chicken fajitas were my personal favorite and were perfectly done with a generous portion. So while I can’t say you should run to Agave, I will say if you want a casual night out with some good Mexican food head there and just enjoy it for what it is… a decent night out in the Hamptons.

What’s the hardest reservation in the Hamptons??? Plus, since there is no good Mexican anywhere, make it yourself!

So what’s the hardest reservation in the Hamptons? Is it Nick & Toni’s? Is it the East Hampton Grill? Is it … oh this is getting annoying, I’ll just tell you. It’s Beach Paws in Wainscott! So, how is the food? Well it depends if you like Mighty Dog or Eukanueba but that’s the real reason to go there. The reason to bark about Beach Paws is it is the best dog grooming service in the Hamptons bar none! Lara Plimpton and her team do miracles for my kids Boo and Russell. In fact, my fidos are fond of getting the mannies, peddies and fluffing there, it’s more tail wagging than between the leg shakes. I don’t know how they do it but Lara makes if fun for them. But if you think you’re going to drop by for a quick rinse and blow dry guess again. It’s by appointment only (sometimes a week or so in advance) but like all things in life it’s well worth the wait. Beach Paws is located at 348 Montauk Hwy in Wainscott. 631-537-4590. When you go, make sure to tell Lara Boo sent you!

Now, I am not a food critic. But I do like food and my favorite is Mexican. So when I heard that they were opening up Agave in Bridgehampton, I was psyched. Now, I’ve yet to go there and try the food but I can’t get anyone to go with me. Apparently the buzz is so bad about this place, I don’t know anyone who will join me in the place Well, maybe in the Fall they’ll get their act together (fingers crossed). So in the meantime, I’m always in search of good south of the border stuff to go. Well, I can say with certainty, I’ve found what is probably the best salsa I’ve ever had!

It’s at Sean’s Place in Southampton. It’s made fresh and includes fresh tomatoes, cilantro and I think strawberries. So if your in Southampton. take the time go to Sean’s Place and let me know if you agree. But don’t worry if you don’t want to make the trip just for Salsa, owner and trained chef Sean King has more awesome stuff for those with an epicurean pallet.

Meanwhile, in spite of the latest shaking on Wall Street most of my friends in the biz tell me it’s full steam ahead. I have to agree. So if you’re holding off before buying hoping for a crash like back in ’08, forget it. Buyers are still out there and taking advantage of the lowest interest rates in history. Remember, there is only so much Hamptons land and real estate around!