A Muse for cooking and culinary arts!

So, the weather outside is frightful… and starting a fire don’t seem delightful. With no particular place to go… head to Muse in Water Mill. Why you ask? Well because the food is pretty good and they occasionally offer one of the most fun evenings in the Hamptons… a cooking class.

Last Tuesday night I headed over to the restaurant which is located in the Citarella/Blockbuster shopping center for an evening cooking class. Now, you have to understand I was more nervous than a poodle at a Chinese restaurant but I went anyway to learn a thing or two. The topic for the evening was appetizers for your holiday party. I was hoping that I could eventually serve more than frozen pigs in a blanket at my next soiree!

The class was run by the owner and chef of MUSE, Matthew Guiffrida. The cost was about $45per person and for the small sum we were fed, entertained and had more than a couple glasses of vino. Matthew is not only a GREAT entertainer but has enough personality AND knowledge to keep 40+ adults quiet and entertained for over two hours. Considering when I cook the only way I know something is done is when the smoke detector goes off, the class was really educational.

The one dish I remember best and liked the most were his Risotto balls. They were absolutely awesome. My only criticism; the food came too slow and the wine came too quickly. Otherwise, it was probably one of the most fun evenings I can remember in the Hamptons in a long time. For more information, call the restaurant for the time and date of the next class. Muse Restaurant and Aqua Bar, 760 Montauk Highway Water Mill. Phone: 631-726-2606

It’s time to get your Hamill Camel on!!!

HOT TIMES KEEPING COOL WITH THE TRENDY OF EAST HAMPTON!!!

For better or worse… it’s winter in the Hamptons so you might as well make the most of it. This weekend, ice skating returns to Buckskill Tennis Club or as it’s known in the winter BUCKSKILL WINTER CLUB. While some egg heads in the Hamptons may choose to muse about Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” while penning the details about the BUCKSKILL SKATING RINK – I kid you not… check this link…

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/10/business/10pursuits.html

I will merely proceed with the bare bones facts!! The rink operates during daylight hours (they used to do night skating but cranky neighbors complained). The NHL sized rink opens around 7:30 am for open skating closes around 9 am for special events (Hockey, lessons, etc.) and reopens in the afternoon til about 5:30pm.

The rink has it’s own Zamboni machine to keep the ice clear and smooth. There’s also an outdoor fire pit and a concession stand serving hot chocolate and other refreshments. The cost for Children is $8. on weekdays and $12 on weekends and $12 and $18 for adults. Skates are also available for rent $3 for kids $5 for adults. All in all, it’s not too expensive and a heck of a lot more fun than skating on the unsalted sidewalks in front of Walbaums or sliding in the greasy parking lot!

For more details you can also call 631-324-2243. There were rumors that Sag Harbor was also trying to do a rink on the wharf but apparently we were SAVED by a certain organization.

…. AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE AND ANOTHER ONE’S GONE.

Here’s another to add to the ’09 casualty list. Well, I can’t say it was a shock.. but apparently the bell has tolled for Bellhaus! Fashionista (whatever that really mean’s I’m not sure) Sean Bell’s foray into Hamptons Couture officially… or should we say surreptitiously bit the dust last night. Oh my god where can I buy $4000 leather Lacroix pants for next year’s July 4th Beach party?!?!??!?

The store which had it’s grand opening hosted by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Ripa was a virtual ghost town from day one. By the way,nothing says glamor to me like Jersey’s own Kelly Ripa. Why they just didn’t get Sam Champion I’ll never know. No telling what will go next into what I think is a cursed location. My suggestion!?! Give us a Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware or Whole Foods in the Hamptons…. THESE ARE STORES WE WOULD ACTUALLY SHOP AT!!!?

Next on my retail/restaurant death watch??? Brooks Brothers in East Hampton and Rugosa Restaurant Wainscott.