“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.
So the Hamptons are more crowded this year than last. But yet, everyone from shop keepers and especially real estate agents (talking rentals) are saying that business is off. One thing I always do when I take my stroll around town trying to look better dressed than the next guy, I always ask shop owners “how was your season?” The response I keep hearing “not great.” But it’s so crowded, which leaves me wondering what gives!? Well some folks are blaming the increasing popularity of those short term rental websites for the problem. For example, you can
Finally, I got the chance to visit the new Topping Rose by Jean Georges last night and I can say is it was worth the wait. Although the reservation lines need some fixing… about 45 minutes of holds, hang ups and transfers… the total experience was great. The menu is unpretentious with everything from an amazing mini pizza to a terrific kale salad and a really solid cheese burger. Service was solid and entrees arrived within a half hour of ordering. I had the penne with meatballs and thought they were over the top awesome. My dinner guests ordered the burger and the salmon, each earning a thumbs up from each. I also recommend the heirloom tomato salad which right now is on the tail of being in season so go try it now. This is a huge step up from last year’s outing by Tom Colicchio.
