East Hampton

Konfessions from K-Mart but don’t laugh…. Overstock.com is selling Hamptons estates!!!

So, I remember when I was a kid seeing the movie “Rain Man.” The two most memorable lines were “20 minutes to Wapner” and “K-Mart” sucks. But hell, what does Tom Cruise know anyway, remember according to Wickipedia he thinks “that a human is an immortal alien spiritual being, termed a thetan, that is trapped on planet Earth in a physical body.” Hmmmmm. Anyway, I can tell you K-Mart does NOT SUCK! You would think that there would be cobwebs in the aisles of the “Big K” in the Hamptons. Well if you thought that you would be wrong! Check out the parking lot sometime, it’s filled with Mercedees, BMWs, Jaguars and even the occasional Rolls! Well, if that hasn’t gotten you over your phobia of blue light specials, there’s another way to get your Martha Stewart sheets and towels. Kmart has launched a new service in the Hamptons called mygofer.com. From laptops to laundry detergent and even those Lands End oxfords (they’re wrinkle free and last forever start at $29.95) can be delivered same day to your door!

Along with that, who said the wealthy don’t want a deal?! Well if you take a look at overstock.com, some of the toniest locations in the Hamptons are apparently being marketed as “blue light specials.” Now I know that the more exposure the better when selling real estate but I wonder if advertising a $20,000,000 house on the same site that most go to buy discount Dockers shirts is hitting the right demographic? Just a thought.

Who has the best pizza in the Hamptons????

Ok, everyone. I know which I prefer but this is your chance to vote! For the next 30 days I’ll be tabulating votes on who has the best pizza in the Hamptons. Look to the right at the little widget and you can cast your vote. If I missed any shops, let me know I’ll add them to the list. Remember, you have to have a gmail or google account to vote. Sorry, I don’t know how to do it any other way. I mean, this is important information for anyone new or visiting the Hamptons. Do your part!!

More goings on around town!! Food news, furniture news…etc

Remember Tommy Hilfigger opened a flagship store in East Hampton? Well yes it’s gone already. Now I don’t want to mock Tommy (he is a very successful guy) but perhaps this isn’t really his market. I mean it seems to me Ralph Lauren has a lock on the EH public and in fact there are rumors he’s even designing new uniforms for the police and fire department. Ok, the last part is a joke but I can actually see it happening. Anyway, Tommy H is gone and going into his place in case you don’t already know is RESTORATION HARDWARE. I love love love love Restoration Hardware and the biggest reason is because they don’t really sell hardware! I’ve never seen a single hack saw in the place but the furniture, the finishings and everything else rock. It’s opening right on Main St. and the sign in the window says it’s opening in April. Stay tuned.

Now for the food news; Race Lane is back open after a brief hiatus and menu overhaul. The burger is still there, the Branzino is still there and so is the Half Chicken. Also now on the men is an amazing crab cake appetizer, suffed zucchini flower with ricotta, mint and tomato emulsion and a crab cake that is virtually all crab! There ‘s a lot more on the menu at RL (no, not Ralph Lauren- – Race Lane) and the service and atmosphere are top notch. We’re glad to see them back in action.

Meanwhile, Yes I was W-R-O-N-G! Almond didn’t go into the Old Stove Pub as I prophisized but I was told it really was close. In case you didn’t know, they’re going to the old ONE OCEAN, which I remember better as the old JG Mellon’s. I actually worked at JG Mellon’s on the UWS when I first moved to NYC. I’m not sure why they never made it out here. I’m wishing Eric L. and Laura and the entrie crew of Almond luck at their new local. I’ll see you guys soon!

I’m telling you there’s less than 100 Beach permits left for East Hampton Village!!! Plus some links to help you get your feet wet and sandy!

It looks nice this picture… doesn’t it??! Well if you don’t hurry, forget it!! If you weren’t already aware, full-season resident and non-resident permits are available now! Non-resident permits are limited in number and are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. And as of today, there are only about 60 permits left (according to the woman at Village Hall I spoke with)>

Permits are available in person at Village Hall from 9-4pm! It’s too late to do this by mail in my opinion. Both residents and non-residents must provide; a copy of a valid vehicle registration , drivers license, street address and owner of the property as listed on their tax bill as well as proof of residency
Non-residents must also provide a check or money order in the amount of $325 per vehicle, payable to “Village of East Hampton” . Here is the link if you need more information:

http://www.easthamptonvillage.org/permits.htm

Meanwhile, for Southampton village, East Hampton town and Southampton town; permits are not limited so you can rest a little easier. But here are the links you may need for information on all of this!

www.town.east-hampton.ny.us

Beach permits for EH Town cost is about $350.00 for non-residents $25 for resident, yeah, it used to be free.

Now for Southampton information:

www.southamptonvillage.org

SH Village is free for village residents, $200 for town residents and $350 for non residents.

www.southamptontown.org

SH Town $30 for residents and $225 for non residents.

Most beaches have day passes available, check out the websites to find out which beaches have that option.

Now, finally every year I get a new bunch of folks who are coming out to rent in the Hamptons for the first time. So, here it is. Some of the stuff you need to read before you go to the Hamptons. When you rent a house, most payments are half at the signing of the lease and the rest a week or so BEFORE you move in. Don’t worry about the commission, the landlord pays that. So, in turn don’t forget your agent is working for the landlord.

As for the expenses, the following are all usually paid for by the tenant unless you have a really generous landlord. Phone, cable TV, electric, gas, lawn care, pool maintenance, maid service/cleaning, trash pick up (or you can go to the dump)and cleaning supplies. This is a general rule of thumb. Are there some landlords who will pay for all this? Sure, the same landlords who leave mints on your pillow are the same ones who pay for all of this. If you don’t want to deal with all of this, there are some great B+B’s out east… just google! I’m glad to be back!!