From Tarts to Triage: A Swiss Bakery and ER Are the New Power Duo You Didn’t Know You Kneaded!

A long-awaited remedy has arrived in East Hampton—and no, it’s not a prix fixe at Nick & Toni’s. The new Stony Brook East Hampton Emergency Department on Pantigo Place is a sleek, 22,000-square-foot sanctuary where cutting-edge medicine meets Hamptons polish. When I first entered the facility, I was greeted by the enticing clear and sterile smell that just had me craving a refreshing IV. Picture sunlit halls, rooftop solar panels, and the kind of swift, attentive care in sleek and stylish scrubs that would make Naomi Campbell jealous. Gone are the days of ambulance rides through Route 27 gridlock—first responders can now deliver patients to top-tier treatment in record time. One EMT called it “unbelievable”—the kind of praise usually reserved for the filet mignon at The Palm.

Open 24/7, the facility offers a resuscitation room, cardiac monitors in every suite, and a full menu of diagnostic delights: MRI, CT, ultrasound, and X-ray. Backed by $42 million in funding and a 99-year lease, it’s emergency care with ambiance. You may not want to end up here—but if you do, you’ll feel like a VIP.

Overheard in the waiting room:
“The service was so fast, I barely had time to finish panicking.”
“They took my vitals and still made me feel like the most important table in the room.”
“Honestly? I’d come back just for the lighting and the cardiac monitoring.”
“It’s like Le Bernardin for medical care—minus the foie gras.”

So many hyped openings out east… so how did I miss this bread-y little secret? Alpina Swiss Bakery in Water Mill has apparently been quietly serving up pretzels, pastries, and proper Alpine carbs for over a year—and I just discovered it like I was Marco Polo stumbling into carbohydrate Shangri-La. Run by Swiss father/son duo Christoph and Robin Mueller (a.k.a. the Edelweiss Mafia), this cozy spot sits next to their Hampton Kitchen Deli and features an open kitchen where you can spy fresh sourdough, croissants and museli being whipped up by a baking dream team. I’ve shamefully been there three times since the discovery. My last indulgence? A turkey and cheese sandwich on a homemade beer pretzel—funky, chewy, a little salty (i think it was the cheese) and weirdly addictive. It’s like Switzerland crash-landed on Montauk Highway, and I’m not mad about it.

DOCKSIDE DRAMA AND LOOK WHO’S TALKING WALKING!

Rumors about who will be taking over the old Dockside restaurant in Sag Harbor have been swirling ever since the beloved establishment shuttered its doors in November. After announcing plans of being taken over by the folks behind Rita Cantina, word on the street is that the deal has fallen through. While nothing has been confirmed, a reliable source has told me that NYC eatery Il Mulino is set to take its place. Yes, ANOTHER high-end Italian eatery in the village. If you remember Il Mulino already dipped their toes in Hampton waters when they opened at a location in Wainscott which lasted two seasons. Let’s hope they get it right this time. BUT ONCE AGAIN THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN CONFIRMED BUT THIS SOURCE WAS RIGHT LAST TIME.

Get ready, folks! Changes are coming to Country Road 39 this fall, as a 1.9-mile stretch of fresh sidewalk construction is set to begin. While there may be some major grumbling among locals who are concerned about potential traffic disruptions on this main artery in and out of the Hamptons, fear not… or so say the planners. They have stated they thoughtfully scheduled the construction to commence only after peak commuter times, ensuring minimal impact on your daily travels. Plus, the schedule has been crafted to take into account seasonal traffic variations. Yet, why do so many have visions of backed up traffic? Some officials are hoping we all embrace and trust them that the upgrade will lead to smoother and safer journeys along this vital thoroughfare. Uh-huh. Meanwhile North Haven Mayor Chris Fiore wrote in a recent letter to the editors at Southampton Press, “These roadworks and the lack of consideration for the general public — specifically tradespeople who commute here, working people who can’t afford to live here and thousands of others — signal the epitome of deaf bureaucracy.”

PLANTS, PINTS AND PASTA!

Buds and Spuds in Sag Harbor!!!!

With warm weather around the corner, the worker bees are buzzing to get all the hives ready in the Hamptons. Sag Harbor is no exception. One of the more interesting new concepts coming to town is taking place right off Main St. The home of the former old train station aka Sag Harbor Garden center is getting a facelift along with two new tenants. From what I’ve been told, one building will be occupied by a new garden center. The other will become what is best described as a tasting room for Kidd Squidd Brewery. The new suds spot already has an instragram account and is hoping to have the harbor hopping with hops. According to their own IG posting expect things to start brewing in the Spring.

I’m a right in assuming there will be clamari on the menu?

Meanwhile, East Hampton is getting yet another Italian-menued restaurant. Down the street from Serafina, Sam’s, Doppo La Spaggio and behind Citta Nuova will be a new outlet for the Karan (You know the DKNY lady) family eatery Tutto Il Giorno. Oh wait, I forgot there will be Sant Ambroeus (French-style in name only) around the corner too at the old Babette’s. I guess EH Village will be now known as Little Italy by the Sea. Anywhooo, the new Citta… er.. I mean Doppo… or wait Tutto will be located in the surliest little parking lot on the East End behind the Stop and Shop. The location is across from the Ralph Lauren store. No, not the Purple Label store. No, not the Polo store. No, not near the childrens one. The OTHER one. You know the vintage one. According to signs posted, the name will be TUTTO CAFFE (see photo) and they’ll have a liquor license. While I have no doubt the food will be good, I only wonder how expensive it will be for a bowl of pasta? Will it be fifty dollar fusilli? It’s the Hamptons so anything is possible.

Around the corner from Fierro’s, Sams, Citta, Serafina, Villa and Doppo.

MORE GRUB TO GO!

So, I just have to add a few more restaurants to this list. I’m seriously sick of sitting home but these folks are making it a little easier.

CURBSIDE…. easy to go at Cove Hollow Tavern!

Cove Hollow Tavern – East Hampton Available Thursday to Monday 5:00-8:00 pm. Make sure you try one of the Rice Bowls (chicken, tofu or firecracker shrimp) or their famous Linguini with Mushroom Bolognese. Along with Fresno, they also have some of THE BEST French Fries. Click here for more details or call 631-527-7131 x 4.

Nick & Toni’s – East Hampton Available Wednesday to Sunday 5:00-9:00pm. While the Zucchini Chips are not on the menu, the Caesar Salad, Roasted Chicken with Pancetta and Yukon Roasted Potatoes and the Roasted Market Catch are ready to go. Click here for details or call 631-324-3550.

The Best Pot Pie EVER!

Highway Restaurant and Bar – Wainscott Available Thursday to Monday 5-8pm. They’re cooking the CHICKEN POT PIE to go! They’re also serving what they call LARGE FORMAT TAKE AWAY. There’s more on the menu but if you don’t get the CHICKEN POT PIE (I always get it when available with a Caesar Salad)… Your loss. Click here for details or call 631-527-5372

Coche Comedor – Amagansett Available Wednesday to Sunday 4:00 pm-8:00 pm. With a hybrid menu from Coche and La Fondita you can host a fiesta right in your living room. Tacos, Chips and Guacamole and Pork Rib Carnitas are all available plus salads and sides. Click here for more or call 631-267-5709.

Finally for the more ambitious…

Bobby Vans – Bridgehampton Available daily for dinner 3:00-8:00 pm. Something called Chef Johnny’s Butcher Shop will allow you to get your dinner with all the sides from Creamed Spinach to Soup Du Jour along with an uncooked , preseasoned Filet Mignon, Beef Burger, Lamb Chop or Chicken Breast. Click here or call 631-537-0590.

Ok Everyone! Mangia!