COVE HOLLOW TAVERN – Hamptons Chatter

DISCOUNT DATE NIGHT WITH LONG ISLAND RESTAURANT WEEK!

November 7, 2022

It’s that time of year again! Time to break out your fall clothes and make a reservation. So toss away that “I hate to cook” apron because Long Island Restaurant Week started this past Sunday, November 6th and ends on Sunday, November 13th and it’s bigger than ever.

In 2020, Long Island Restaurant Week was expanded with the goal of supporting restaurants during a time when customers were struggling to eat lunch due in part from the COVID-19 crisis. These changes included price adjustments and adding additional options for varying budgets so folks could enjoy meals out without feeling too guilty! The prices range from $27, $37, or $44 for a three-course dinner prix fixe, depending on the restaurant, with many $22 two-course lunch selections available, too. Check out the list below to see who is taking part here in the Hamptons.

East Hampton:

Cove Hollow Tavern – If you’re looking for a casual yet sophisticated dining experience, look no further than Cove Hollow Tavern. The menu features American classics with a twist, like the Harissa’s Lamb Burger, Mushroom Bolognese Pasta and the best french fries on the east end. And of course, no meal is complete without one of their generous cocktails. Cove Hollow is offering a 3 course dinner for $37. For more information: www.covehollowtavern.com

Sag Harbor:

Page at 63 Main – Looking for a romantic dinner spot? Page at 63 Main is perfect for date night. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and seasonal specialties. Some of our favorites include the Herb Roasted Half Chicken and Skin Charred Salmon. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but be sure to save room for dessert! The Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compoteis to die for. Page is offering a 3 course dinner prix fixe for $44. For more information: www.page63main.com

Bridgehampton:

Elaia Estiatorio – Greece is the word at this Bridgehampton hot spot. Mediteranian specialties are abundant on the menu with enough choices to make everyone happy in a casual and fun atmosphere. Start with a Whipped Feta Dip or Braised Lamb Meatballs. Follow up with a Chicken Souvlaki or Lavraki (Bronzino) with your choice of side- the Handcut Parsley Fries are pretty good too. Wrap it up with what else, a big hunk of Baklava. Elaia is offering three courses for $44. For more information: www.elaiaestiatorio.com

Jean Georges at Topping Rose Inn – Start with the amazing Kale Caesar Salad or Tuna Tartare. This casual, elegant restaurant celebrates the seasons and offers farm-to table cuisine using ingredients sourced from local fisherman & farmers! For Fall Long Island Restaurant Week they will be offering a $44 three course dinner prix fixe with Salmon, Roast Chicken and vegeterian pasta that are all worth taking advantage of before Sunday. For the the menu click here.

Chef Jean George at Topping Rose Inn. www.toppingrose.com

Water Mill:

Calissa – If you’re in the mood for Greek food, Calissa is another option. The beautiful space is perfect for a romantic dinner. We recommend ordering the Tomato Soup with feta croutons or the Stuffed Calimari to start, followed by the Lobster Risotto for your main course. And don’t forget to order a bottle of wine from their extensive list! Calissa is offering a 3 course dinner for $42.
For more information: www.calissahamptons.com

Southampton:

Southampton Publick House – Southampton Publick House is a local favorite for good reason. The menu features traditional pub fare with a twist, like Fish & Chips with Malt Vinegar and BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. And of course, no meal here would be complete without one of their award-winning beers! Publick House is offering a 2 course lunch for $22 and 3 course dinner for $37 For more information – www.publick.com

Union Sushi & Steak- Union Sushi & Steak is the perfect place to go if you can’t decide what you’re in the mood for. With a menu that features both steak and sushi, there’s something for most everyone. We recommend starting with the Tuna Tartare appetizer and then moving on to either the filet mignon or the duck risotto for your main course. Union Sushi and Steak is offering a 3 course menu for $44. For more details visit- www.dineatunion.com

Saaz Indian Restaurant- Saaz Indian Restaurant is THE place to go on Long Island if you’re in the mood for Indian food. The menu features all of your favorite dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala and Hakka Noodles as well as several vegan options. For more information about their restaurant week specials visit: http://www..saazny..com

No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it during Long Island Restaurant Week! With so many great options to choose from, it’s impossible to go wrong! So make a reservation at your favorite spot or try somewhere new and enjoy a delicious three-course meal today!

Ohhh La La… THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE HAMPTONS!

July 13, 2021

Bon Fromage! It’s Bastille Day later this week—you know, the holiday that is kind of like the Fourth of July but they celebrate it in France, and most Americans don’t even know about it? So, what better way is there to celebrate the execution of Louis and Marie than delving into some of the best French cuisine in the Hamptons!

But I’m not talking about Croque Madames or even macaroons. I’m talking about FRENCH FRIES! And don’t you dare call them chips or, even worse, FREEDOM FRIES!

So here in no particular order are my favorite places to super-size that side on the East End! Bon appetit, y’all!

Crispy, Crunchy and Crazy good! Cove Hollow Tavern

1. Cove Hollow Tavern (East Hampton) – Cripsy, crinkle-cut with a hint of bbq seasoning, these fries put the bomb in bon jour! Served with a side of extra caloric aioli, there’s no way to eat just one. Best served with a cool glass of Sancerre, but what isn’t? At $10 for a side, these are a steal.

2. Almond (Bridgehampton) – Yes, they have more generic plain fries (for the purist), but how dare you when you can have Cheese Fries Americaine with smoked cheddar and chilis! If you’re not in the mood for fromage, you can always go with Bernaise Fries, Gravy Fries or Korean Fries with sesame seeds, kimchi and sriracha mayo. Prices start and $10 and go to $13. No, you may not order these as an entrée… or can you?

3. Dockside (Sag Harbor) – Crunchy is the first word that comes to mind whenever I sink my teeth into these special spuds. Delicately batter dipped (I think, or twice fried) and topped with bay seasoning, these are a perfect side with more than just burgers! Personally, I find these are a perfect balance to the healthy nature of the Seared Tuna Wrap. $7 per side.

4. Fresno (East Hampton) – Delicately fried, fresh-cut potatoes with a hint of salt and a big side of Heinz 57. We’re not talking about anything too complex or fancy—just golden, salty, traditional fries done right. At $8 for a side, it’s a must-share at any dinner.

BIT OF BRUSSELLS IN SAG HARBOR…. LULU KITCHEN’S FRIES! GO AHEAD YOU ANTWERP!

5. Lulu (Sag Harbor) – These are no dud spuds! Lulu’s crispy and delicate treats are a greater potater! They are authentic Belgian fries that are crisp without being crunchy and without feeling like mushy steak fries! $14 per order.

When I started this blog, I had no idea that today is National #frenchfriesday! In fact, The New York Post just wrote about Serendipity’s $300-a-serving fries. I don’t know how it happened, but for once the Hamptons isn’t the most expensive game in town.

BTW, DID I MISS SOME GOOD FRIES ? LEAVE ME A NOTE AND LET ME KNOW YOUR FAVORITES!

IN PURSUIT OF POT PIES!

November 6, 2017

“The falling leaves, drift by my window. The falling leaves of red and gold. I see my a/c, it’s still cranking. It’s Autumn time in New York.” You may say you’re frightened by climate change but secretly you know you love these 75 degree days in November. But in spite of the w

arm temperatures other signs of fall have definitely arrived. The apple picking, the dog walks on the beach and of course for foodies like me (in the sense that I don’t hold my nose up at movie theatre nachos) prix fixes and new fall menus.

One of my favorite foods of fall is a good chicken pot pie. This has been something I discovered later in life since my early exposure consisted of a Swanson’s TV dinner. In fact, there are a more than a few things hated as a kid that I now love. For example, I hated steak for quite a long time due to my mother’s unsurpassed skill in killing a cow twice. But like everything these days from macaroni to pasta, iceberg to arugula, donut to cronut everything seems to have a more epicurean slant. Now, chicken pot pies are enjoying their moment in the spotlight and the competition for your fork is heating up. I guess it’s also a case of everything old is new again.

The showdown occurs every Monday as Cove Hollow Tavern and Highway Restaurant are going head to head in a show down of puffed pastry poultry. Both are homemade and both are about 100 steps above those frozen ones from your childhood. Being a fan of both establishments, I can say you won’t be disappointed in either but the winner and still champion is….. the one at Highway. Why? It’s more. While both are tasty, Highway Restaurant’s is chock full of white meat chicken, more flaky crust and it’s a meal and a half. Yes, I’ve taken mine home to go and finished it the next day for lunch. Cove Hollow Tavern’s is more like a soup with a top of buttery pastry on top. CHT pot pie is less a meal and more a nice appetizer. Either way, I suggest you try both and judge for yourself. Now if only both locations would figure a way to put these in a preformed aluminum tray with a side apple cobbler. Now that would be nostalgic!

Meanwhile, I love getting my google alerts. Some of the key words I get are “real estate, my name, Sag Harbor and Hamptons.” It’s great, if you don’t do this you should. I get the latest on market trends, business comings and goings and the latest felony charge for my namesake somewhere in the midwest. Recently I got an alert that Vogue magazine has an article about some island in New Zealand that’s their (ha, I didn’t write there) answer to the Hamptons. Its called Waiheke Island and I guess now we can say we’re “Long Island’s answer to Waiheke.” So this had me thinking, what other parallels can me made about the East End? Here are a few of my observations.

Bridgehampton Commons – The Rodeo Drive of the Hamptons – It’s all about the shopping. Face it, where else can you actually walk for 100 yards and not hit a real estate office or bank?

Flanders – The Secaucus of the Hamptons – lots of waterfront property and a heck of a lot cheaper than if you drive 10 more minutes.

Montauk – The Key West of the Hamptons – It’s the “end” and home to some of the besthangouts around.

Rt. 27 – The 405 Freeway of the Hamptons – You hate driving on this road but do you have another choice?

Finally, Greenport – It’s the Brooklyn of the Hamptons. Hip, cool and too late to get a steal.