PASTABILITIES IN BRIDGEHAMPTON AND TRIVIA FUN PLUS IS COOKIEPUSS A STONER?

Hold onto your taste buds, Bridgehampton! The culinary stars are aligning as Arthur and Sons, the much-talked about NYC Italian joint, gears up for its debut at 203 Bridgehampton – Sag Harbor Turnpike. Picture this: it’s taking over the former stomping grounds of the dearly missed Fresh and Hamptons Aristocrat Catering – talk about a gastronomic glow-up! Joe Isidori, the culinary maestro behind a hip Italian joint that’s become the talk of the town in NYC, recently rocked the Drew Barrymore show. Now, he’s bringing his kitchen wizardry to the Hamptons, promising a menu that’s as buzzworthy as a Hollywood red carpet. Springtime in Bridgehampton just got a whole lot tastier, folks!


In a move that would certainly make Cheech and Chong cheer, Greg Konner of Konner Development, has revealed plans to turn the familiar Carvel on Montauk Highway into a retail pot shop cheekily named Budhampton. Seemingly unfazed by potential backlash from the community and town officials, Konner boldly claims that if he meets the criteria, they can’t say no. The Carvel site apparently checks all the boxes for a retail dispensary, according to town and state regulations. But don’t get nervous you’ll soon have to haul to Southampton for your next Cookie Puss, smoke signals are saying that the Carvel will return soon in an adjacent new commercial location.

Finally, looking for a night filled with some laughter, friendly competition, and tasty waves, I mean bites? Look no further than Trivia Night at Kizzy T’s in East Hampton! Located on Montauk Highway East Hampton, where Bamboo and Zok-Kon once stood, this roadside tavern offers an alternative to a sleepy winter Sunday night. Every week at 7 trivia czar Paul Johnson poses questions, pictures and audio clips that keep you on your toes. And it’s not just about the brainpower – indulge in foosball, darts (booze and sharp objects- hmmm), billiards, and more while downing some pretty darn good chow including smashed burgers, chicken wings, and salmon rice cakes, all for about $20. I recently came close to snagging the $100 gift card, and trust me, the thrill of the game is worth it alone. For a night of fun, food, and fantastic memories, Kizzy T’s is the place to be. Check out their website at www.kizzyt.com for more details.

IF YOU CAN’T GET TO LA FOR THE OSCARS… PLUS SOME NEW FOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE!

Sunday in the Hamptons: Join Academy voters at Canoe Place Inn and Cottages in Hampton Bays for the ultimate Oscar Viewing Party! Hosted by PBS “film critics” Bill McCuddy, Lisa Rosman, and Neil Rosen, this soirée promises an evening of Hollywood glamour and insider insights.

Let the trio handicap the outcomes, but here’s the twist: YOU can fill out a ballot and challenge them to beat your predictions! McCuddy jokes, “I’m sure they’ll beat Rosen… Watch out for surprises in your Oscar pool, like Annette Bening for Best Actress!”

McCuddy, also a GoldDerby.com writer, spills his pick for Best Actor – the talented Paul Giamatti. And when it comes to the big prize? “Oppenheimer” takes the spotlight: “An important movie that made money doesn’t take Einstein… oh wait, yes it does.”

Anyway, for $75 bucks you’ll get a great prix fixe dinner, with a choice of entrees including Grilled Salmon, Skirt Steak, Fresh Pasta and McCuddy’s stale jokes. Click here to buy tickets. Believe it or not they’re actually selling! But I’ll credit the dinner and Canoe Place Inn for the sales.

Rumor has it…. some new restaurants are coming to town and a few have sailed into the sunset. So here are a few tidbits of what’s new in the Hamptons for this Summer. I don’t have a ton of details so here are the bullet points. Also, remember these are rumors and this is a blog not the NY Times (type o’s, spelling and grammatical errors and all) I have a full time job and do this on the side.

The old Dockside in Sag Harbor which became something fancy last year is going more middle of the road with the folks from Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn setting up shop. But don’t expect more middle of the road pricing. It’s the Hamptons.

The former home of Dockside… Red Hook Tavern?

The old Laundry, Race Lane, Buttero, Lodge, Doppo, Leif Hope’s site in East Hampton has a new tenant or two. The folks who ran a successful series of city pop up restaurants at Rosie’s in Amagansett last summer are brining the same idea to East Hampton this summer. Stay tuned for more details.

The formal home of Cyril’s will soon have the the folks from Maverick’s in Montauk setting up shop.

Grindstone Donuts in Sag Harbor will soon be selling burgers to go while there East Hampton store on Gingerbread Lane should be opening soon.

Finally, Fini Pizza in Amagansett is opening up again next week.

IT’S SNOWY AND I’M HOME SO I MIGHT AS WELL WRITE A BLOG POST. MAYBE I’LL START DOING MORE…


Summer is just around the corner, and if you’re a resident of East Hampton, now is the time to secure your parking pass for the village beach. Surprisingly, there are still 200 passes left for the summer of 2024, a rare occurrence as they usually sell out by this point. This presents a golden opportunity for those who haven’t yet secured their passes to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf hassle-free. Whether you’re a local looking to make the most of the beautiful East Hampton beaches or a visitor planning an extended stay, don’t miss this chance to guarantee your parking spot and make the most of the upcoming summer. CLICK HERE.

If you’re a food enthusiast in East Hampton, your taste buds are in for a treat at Highway Restaurant. The restaurant is creating a buzz by featuring what I THINK IS THE BEST CHICKEN POT PIE every Wednesday night. But before you scoff, this is no Swanson TV dinner pot pie (which was often for dinner when I was a kid and mom wouldn’t cook). It’s a perfect blend of flaky crust, hunks of white meat chicken and a delicate and subtle gravy. They also give you a little bonus ramekin of gravy if you really like it floating. Seriously, CHICKEN POT PIE… three of my favorite things! The “pie” has been on and off the menu for years and after my whining for the past few…. they brought it back. Thanks Chef Justin! Make your Wednesday nights special by indulging in this culinary masterpiece at Highway Restaurant, and if it’s not the best pot pie you ever had, I’ll buy you a drink.

While Round Swamp Farms may be closed for a few more months, the good news is that you can still savor their gourmet dishes. Shelly Schaffer, one of the driving forces behind Round Swamp Farms, has ventured into a new project: Hub 44, a sports training facility that also serves the community with the famous Round Swamp-style food. Named “Hub Grub,” this culinary venture operates out of a commercial kitchen at The Hub, offering a variety of dishes three days a week. From appetizers to entrees and delightful desserts, the menu features both familiar Round Swamp favorites and exciting new creations. Is it good? It’s Round Swamp… you know it’s good. Check out Hub 44 on Tan Bark Trail by clicking here to see what’s on the menu!

RESTAURANT NEWS AND IS AMAGANSETT GOING JERSEY?


Well, folks, it seems it’s time to dust the cob webs off of this little blog. Especially now that the Hamptons dining scene is going through a bit of a rollercoaster ride “post summer.” We’ve bid a tearful (or maybe not so tearful) farewell to not one, but two of our beloved eateries. First on the chopping block was Buttero, or should I say “Doppo”? Apparently, they decided to undergo a transformation from a charming Italian joint into an Italian steakhouse, because, well, the Hamptons definitely didn’t have one of those. Guess they thought we were all clamoring for more beef and fewer carbs. Bravo, Buttero, or Doppo, or whatever. It had a great staff, good food and an incredible location so this one has me a little sad.

But that’s not all, dear readers. The Hamptons foodie rollercoaster continues with the impending closure of Wolffer Kitchen in Amagansett Square. And what was their brilliant strategy for going out with a bang? Hiking up their prices and embracing an even darker atmosphere. Because, clearly, the best way to win over Hamptons diners is to make them squint in the dark while their wallets weep. Maybe if they started serving meals by candlelight, just to complete the ambiance. Darkness can be quite appealing (not that I’m commenting on bad face lifts).

MEANWHILE… In a truly shocking twist of events, rumors are swirling that TV producers are calling real estate agents and scouring Amagansett for a place to shoot a reality show, and word on the street is that it might be the return of MTV’s “Jersey Shore.” So, does this mean Snookie is heading to the Hamptons to hang with the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Stella McCartney this summer? Well, it would be quite the culture clash, wouldn’t it? The Hamptons, where Prada, Louis Vuitton and quiet sophistication could soon collide with fist-pumping and tanning oil – what could possibly go wrong? As a guy from “Jersey” i just love the ideas. Stay tuned, dear readers, because this summer promises to be one heck of a show, on and off the reality TV screen.