Boo

Something to chew on for Sag Harbor and East Hampton Rugby is in overtime

Bella!

Hi everyone, it feels good to be back.    I took a few months off (as I often do from this blog) and I promise I’ll be more consistent this time (I promised that before too).  So much has been going on but if I seem a bit blurry eyed, it’s mostly due to my puppy Bella.  Yes, I have a new dog since the passing of Boo.  But I have to say, that while she does look a lot like her older sister, she’s her own girl.  She’s full of spunk and quite the terror on my other dog poor Russell.  In fact, when we asked Russell what we should name her, he suggested Bu-jo (think Boo with Cujo).   So, if I’m a bit rambling here it’s because of my need for sleep.   I’ve been doing too many 2 am bathroom breaks.  Here she is!  Yeah, it’s actually easier when they’re cute!

 

A new tenant!

Well you might have already heard but the “Paradise Cafe” in Sag Harbor shuttered it’s doors a few months ago.   Apparently, negotiations to renew the lease went nowhere.    Luckily,  you can still enjoy Chef and owner Robert Durkin’s cuisine at “Robert’s”in Water Mill.   Well last night I ran into restaurateur Michael Gluckman who told me he’s going into the space that was Paradise right in the heart of Sag Harbor.    While I’m disappointed to see Paradise go, I’m happy to know  there will be something good going in it’s place.   Michael has always had solid restaurants that were reasonably priced with a great menu and good food.   I found his “Lodge” to be one East Hampton’s best watering holes with a diverse and satisfying menu, he tells me he’s hoping to do something similar here.

In the meantime, I’m hoping Paradise returns to Sag Harbor soon, I miss the Bolognese pasta, the best I’ve ever had and the Roast Chicken with Rosemary was sublime… wait I can’t say sublime, that sounds pretentious… It was AWESOME.   Better.   Anyway, maybe Paradise can go into the spot that was Phao in Sag Harbor,  because apparently twice wasn’t the charm and according to sources, they’re going the way of the 8-track tape.
Soon to be a collectors item!
OK, enough talking about food.  I’m getting hungry and I have to work out first.   If I don’t I won’t be able to fit into my Ralph Lauren Rugby shirts, which will soon be collectors items.    Yep, it’s true the Rugby brand will soon be no more.   I’m not sure why because the store in downtown Manhattan and the one in East Hampton were always packed.  But fear not lovers of the Earl of East Hampton (Ralph Lauren-he virtually owns EH  retail) my poorly placed sources have hinted that it will soon be a RL Home store.   I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Finally, I hope I made up for a long, long, long absence from the blogosphere.   If I haven’t here’s one last bit of good advice, at STAPLES they’re selling cases of Pelligrino water for $4 a case!  Yes, $4 a case.  It’s an amazing deal.

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!

Call it the Baby Jessica event of the Hamptons… or the Chilean Dog Minor of East Hampton!! TV Movie is soon to follow!!

Who said there is no excitement in the Hamptons in the winter. Take the following case of the mischievous Beagle mix known as Russell. This morning as I was finishing my final cup of coffee before heading out the door and emergency arose. NO, it had nothing to do with Ann Currie saying something inane again on the Today show. It involved a loud bark coming from the back yard.

As I went outside, I saw my trusty and well behaved girl Boo digging away at the side of the pool house! What was she doing?? Wait there’s another bark coming from… GASP…. underneath the pool house!!! Oh my god, I had visions of Jo Beth Williams somehow working her way into a TV version of what could be a truly tragic event!!! “BABY JESSICA 2; RUSSELL’S TRAPPED!” The air was filled with tension and suspense. But as often is the case in times of tragedy, the spirit of man causes him to rise to the occasion. WE ARE ALL HEROES DEEP DOWN INSIDE (cue David Bowie song)!

Luckily my trusty house manager Daniel Strohmeir was there with crow bar in hand. If you know me well, you know why I often owe mine, Boo, Peter and Russell’s very survival to Daniel. This morning all of our lives came crashing together in what could have been a tragedy!! In all seriousness for a second, I got scared when the little guy stopped barking for a few minutes. I actually got a shiver thinking what if somehow Russell really got himself hurt down… choking or suffocating! Yikes, maybe I should have called the fire department. I mean they rescue cats out of trees right?!

No, never call the fire department or the police in the Hamptons unless it’s an absolute emergency. Because knowing my luck Russell would pop out the minute I did and I would end up being disgraced in the community fire/police blotter as the neurotic crack pot who called over his dog chasing a rabbit under a pool house. Read the Hamptons police blotters and you learn so much about the community. My favorite of late was the gentleman crackpot on Georgica beach who called 911 after a dog owner forgot to pick up some poop! It’s a true story and no it wasn’t me. I was on a cruise and have proof to back my claims. Now back to the rabbit chasing Russell. Did I say he was chasing a rabbit before?! Well that’s my theory anyway.
Anyway, after about 90 minutes of tension, tears and fears. Russell was liberated thanks to a quickly kicked and pulled hole in the floor. Russell didn’t say much about his ordeal after the liberation. But I have noticed he’s all of a sudden taken an interest in the New York City Marathon website. Is his surfing of said website an indication he’s planning to run like a certain Chilean Miner next fall! ONLY TIME WILL TELL!! By the way, I think I want Doug Savant to play me in the TV version, don’t you think that’s good casting?! (photo of a concerned Boo, eager to help-she did actually start digging a hole and ripping shingles off the house)

Finally some quick Almond update gossip. Rumors are floating that Eric Lemonides will take almond into… ta dah… BOBBY VANS. While I really doubt that scenerio big time. My bets are going to COPA around the corner. The School Street restaurant has been kind of quiet lately. It’s just my theory anyway!

The most awesome looking tree in the Hamptons!


I’ve been living out east now full time for about 8 years. One of the sights I see during the month of October on my way to the office is this tree. It’s located on Brick Kiln Road, right off of Scuttle Hole. Now, I know it seems silly but this tree just has me in awe! It’s the color. It’s the shape. I mean if you were to draw a picture of the idea tree in the fall, THIS WOULD BE THE TREE! I know I’m going on and on over something rather mundane but look carefully. I’m right! Isn’t this tree amazing!

Just a little note to friends of mine who sware the Sag Harbor Halloween Parade and Pumpkin trail are this Saturday… You’re wrong. The “Rag A Muffin” parade starts at 11 o’clock followed by thousands of little sugar jacked beggers following the “Pumpkin Trail” at stores and businesses all over town requesting free candy. Just a little note, there is an epidemic of obesity in America, so this year I’m giving out carrot sticks. They’re delicious, healthy and the kids love them!!! Happy Halloween All!

By the way, the costumes that you don’t want to be wearing this year include… LADY GA GA, ANYBODY FROM “AVATAR”, STEPHEN SLATER OF JET BLUE FAME OR A CHILEAN MINER! All of these are hackneyed and overdone. Think of something original… be more like my dog Boo. Superdog! Im so shocked she’s never bitten me!