From the Boat to the Beach, the old JL East gets spruced up and ready for the summer!! Announcing the BEACH HOUSE!

It looks like they’re working around the clock to get the former PRIME 103…JL East… Peconic Coast spot into shape for restaurateur Michael Gluckman’s latest, “THE BEACH HOUSE.” I’m told they’re making it similar to their old “The Lodge” with a bit more fish and seafood thrown into the mix. If you’ve never been inside the place, it’s one of the best locations in the Hamptons. According to some, It’s allegedly been mired in litigation and unable to change hands from the man known as Jean Luc (Ed Kleefeld). Don’t you love that, I’m changing my name now too… call me Dash Riprock Fromage! It sounds kind of french and dashing!? Right? Anyway, earlier this year Gluckman unloaded the old Bamboo (Shiki) and started putting forth his efforts into the new location.

You might also remember Gluckman along with manager Rory Boothby ran a very successful afternoon tea dance at the Lodge. According to the latter, look for that to continue at the Beach House this summer. With an amazing outdoor patio and expansive bar space, it should be a bigger and more consistent crowd. Look for an opening sometime in the next 3 weeks.

Two bucks will get you on the subway, but fresh garlic will get you a seat. I know where to buy it and announcing THE EAST HAMPTON GRILL!

Well, now that we all know that Della Famina is soon to be no more… I can tell you that the Hillstone Group the people behind Houstons will soon be opening “THE EAST HAMPTON GRILL.” I’ll assume it’s to be much like the PALM BEACH GRILL which the company owns and currently operates in that “OTHER” resort area. I only hope one thing, they have the Slow Roasted Pork Ribs, the Spinach artichoke dip and the crab cakes! It’s funny but I’ve never heard so much buzz or excitement about the opening of a new restaurant in the Hamptons like I have about this. Sure NOBU is going to Southampton but as I said before, the lines will be longer at The East Hampton Grill!

Citarella is getting a run for it’s money as Mike and Sandy DeGennaro, who own Long Wharf Wines in Sag Harbor and Southampton Wines at Water Mill Shops and Muse Restaurant & Aquatic Lounge chef Matthew Guiffrida have finally opened their long awaited AVANTI CULINARY MARKET.

Located at the site of the old Citerellas in Water Mill, I went to the shopping center the other day to buy cupcakes for a friend’s birthday (at Water Mill Cupcakes) and ended up strolling through what is one of the best epicurean (thank you spell check) centers in the Hamptons. The prices are more than competitive with the other gourmet shops in the Hamptons but the staff was over the top helpful!! The selection of seafood and meats were well stocked but I was bowled over by the extensive selection of herbs and spices (why do I sound like I’m talking about KFC) with the slick and cool packaging.

To be perfectly honest, I didn’t try much of the prepared foods since I’m currently trying to squeeze into my 29″ waist speedo so I can’t comment. But I did try the tuna which the chef offered to turn into freshly prepared “tuna tare tare.” It was probably the best I ever had! To make a long story longer or shorter, AVANTI is now open visit their website for more details. But why do that… just go… EAT!

Konfessions from K-Mart but don’t laugh…. Overstock.com is selling Hamptons estates!!!

So, I remember when I was a kid seeing the movie “Rain Man.” The two most memorable lines were “20 minutes to Wapner” and “K-Mart” sucks. But hell, what does Tom Cruise know anyway, remember according to Wickipedia he thinks “that a human is an immortal alien spiritual being, termed a thetan, that is trapped on planet Earth in a physical body.” Hmmmmm. Anyway, I can tell you K-Mart does NOT SUCK! You would think that there would be cobwebs in the aisles of the “Big K” in the Hamptons. Well if you thought that you would be wrong! Check out the parking lot sometime, it’s filled with Mercedees, BMWs, Jaguars and even the occasional Rolls! Well, if that hasn’t gotten you over your phobia of blue light specials, there’s another way to get your Martha Stewart sheets and towels. Kmart has launched a new service in the Hamptons called mygofer.com. From laptops to laundry detergent and even those Lands End oxfords (they’re wrinkle free and last forever start at $29.95) can be delivered same day to your door!

Along with that, who said the wealthy don’t want a deal?! Well if you take a look at overstock.com, some of the toniest locations in the Hamptons are apparently being marketed as “blue light specials.” Now I know that the more exposure the better when selling real estate but I wonder if advertising a $20,000,000 house on the same site that most go to buy discount Dockers shirts is hitting the right demographic? Just a thought.