dockside

FROM MICHELOB TO MICHELIN… PLUS JACK’S BACK AND MAVERICKS MONTAUK.

The former home of Dockside

Well, looks like Sag Harbor doesn’t have Il Mulino to look forward to – but they’re still going more for the high brow with a Michelin-starred chef. According to the NY Post and Page Six, award-winning chef Melissa O’Donnell and Kittch are bringing their sea-to-table pop-up experience to the space that was formerly Dockside in the American Legion building. While it may not be the low-key casual restaurant we were all hoping for, at least the space won’t remain empty. Let’s just hope this doesn’t end up being a case of “close, but no cigar.” After 2 other attempts to find a tenant, it seems that the third time MAY FINALLY be the charm. Sag Harbor Kitchen is coming soon.

Meanwhile, in Sag Harbor it could be a bit of a brouhaha brewing. Jack’s Coffee which actually owns 117 Main St. where Love Shack Fancy was once housed has decided to take up residence and give the village an extra jolt of caffeine. In case you’re not aware, that’s right next door to Goldberg’s Bagels which sells coffee and Sylvester and Company which sells my fave Dreamy Coffee. So look for a lot of jittery pedestrians this summer in Sag Harbor.

The New Mavericks in Montauk. www.mavericksmontauk.com

Exciting news for Montauk foodies! Mavericks, a new restaurant, is set to open its doors today, featuring local chef Jeremy Blustein at the helm. Located at the site of the former “East by Northeast” the team has spared no expense in renovating the space (it took almost 2 years), promising a top-notch dining experience. With Bluestein’s impressive background as executive resort chef at Gurney’s, it’s no wonder early reviews are calling it “phenomenal.” This is definitely a spot to check out for those looking for a taste of Montauk’s culinary scene. For those interested in learning more about Mavericks and its menu offerings, be sure to check out their website at www.mavericksmontauk.com. With the buzz surrounding the restaurant’s opening, it’s sure to be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

DOCKSIDE DRAMA AND LOOK WHO’S TALKING WALKING!

The former home of Dockside

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.”

A MEXICAN STANDOFF IN SAG HARBOR?

RUMORS AND MORE RUMORS ABOUT FOOD IN SAG HARBOR VILLAGE!

It’s no secret that Sag Harbor is a foodie town. With so many options for dining, it can be hard to decide where to go. But if you’re in the mood for Mexican food, you may soon be getting another option and “The Chatter” as I’m now calling the blog is here to spill the refried beans.


K-Pasa has been a Sag Harbor staple for the past few years. The restaurant is known for its pricey taco dishes, as well as its margaritas and pretty much the big queso in town for spicy specialties. Well now LT Burger, is apparently jumping into the tortilla biz. The Main Street burger joint recently brown papered the windows and left a note saying they’ll be back with an revised menu and new format soon. It kind of makes sense since I don’t know how the place was making it work when most tables were filled with a few adults and a zillion kids splitting a burger and fries. Anway, my sources tell me they’re going to diversify the menu and include tacos and lighter fare so burgers are nacho only choice. I don’t have any timeline for the change over but will keep you posted.

Something to taco bout!

Meanwhile, the one that has everyone talking in town is the imminent closure of Dockside Restaurant and Bar on Bay Street. According to sources, the Dockside Bar and Grill, located in the American Legion hall, will be closing its doors to the public mid-November. The restaurant has been a staple in the small town of Sag Harbor for years, and its loss will be felt by many.

The primary cause (from what I hear) of the closure is due to the restaurant losing their lease. Others have told me that they just felt it was time to retire. Adam Potter, who has his fingers in lots of businesses around town, now controls it.

Dockside wil be sailing into the Sunset soon

What we do know is that the new occupants of the space will be the folks behind Rita Cantina in Springs. They’re apparently looking to bring a casual bistro/pub menu to the Bay Street location. While this may be good news for some, it’s still bittersweet given the circumstances. I like Rita Cantina and I liked their previous restaurant Bay Kitchen so I have high hopes for the new “Dockside.”


It’s always hard to see a beloved local spot have to close its doors, but sometimes change can be for the better. We’ll have to wait and see what the new occupants of the old Dockside Bar and Grill location have in store for us. Either way, we’ll always remember the good times we had at the Dockside.

The birthplace of Hannibal Lechter? Plus, where would he go for lunch?!

 

Pass the fava beans!!! It’s Hannibel’s house!

 

We all know that Sag Harbor has been a haven for artists and writers of all types for years.  John Steinbeck, E.L. Doctrow and the late great Spaulding Gray have all found their inspiration among the waters of the fair Harbor and the stale beer of Murph’s.  Well, maybe Steinbeck never went to Murph’s but I bet he would have loved it!    But I digress… so, I learned something new the other day when talking to a friend of mine in Hamptons.  The house is located on Jermain Avenue in Sag Harbor and to be honest,  I fail to see how this sweet property could have ever been the birth place of the red wine swilling cannibal known as Hannibal Lechter.   The house is currently on the market for a little under  $1.5 million dollars and listed with Gioia DiPaolo of Douglas Elliman in Sag Harbor.    You can see the listing here…. and yes it’s walking distance to Murph’s!  That alone makes it worth more than the asking price!!  So make and offer and tell them I sent you… and who knows if you buy it, maybe you too can be inspired to write one of the most frightening best sellers of all time!!

our Sag Harbor office.

Sidewalk dining at Madison and Main

So speaking of Sag Harbor and dining but not the cannibalistic kind; the town was recently voted one of the friendliest places in the country.   But now I think it deserves another honor.  I’m declaring Sag Harbor the “Lunch Capital of the Hamptons.”   Sure, there are plenty of restaurants in the Hamptons but where can you go to have a good lunch (especially during the week)?   With the recent addition of Madison and Main, Sag Harbor is by a long shot the best place for the mid day meals.     While East Hampton has Ralph Lauren and Bridgehampton has real estate offices, the Harbor has more eating restaurants per foot than any other town.   It’s also the only one where you can dine out doors without breathing in the exhaust from Rt. 27.   Let’s think about this, you have the American Hotel (I suggest The Cobb salad), LT Burger (I recommend the fries and turkey burgers), Dockside (the tuna wrap), Madison and Main (tuna tacos), Bay Burger (the burger duh) and Page (you’re on your own) all with open air dining.     So why am I writing this?  Well because when you have your weekend guests and you want to get them out of the house for some privacy Saturday afternoon, send them to Sag.  See this blog is good for something!