Facebook

THE NEXT WAVE THAT’S GOT A BAD BEAT AND NOT EASY TO DANCE TO!

The Next Wave

JUST A GENERIC DINING PICTURE… USED BECAUSE I LIKE THE SUNSET.

Some say service in the shops and restaurants this summer has been challenging to say the least. We agree (ROYAL we). But as Carly Simon once sang, “these are the good old days.” ANTICIPATION. Things are about to get worse. But it has nothing to do with Covid. I’m hearing from lots of local businesses that they’re sweating bullets about the end of August when a good chunk of staff will head back to schools, city and fall gigs. With staffing already a major issue in the Hamptons it’s going to take an extra dose of patience everywhere from the grocery store to the local watering hole. REMEMBER, FOLKS BE KIND – COVID HAS EVERYONE STRESSED. SO, TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND WAIT THE EXTRA MINUTE TO BE A CONSIDERATE HUMAN BEING.

Hamptons Dogs Show for Local Lions

In keeping with our reputation for being pompous and pampered, we Hamptonites need to make our dogs special, too. With this in mind, I implore all local doggo stage moms and dads to enter your pampered pooches in the 3rd Annual Hamptons Dog Show at the Amagansett Legion Hall (15 Montauk Highway) this Saturday, August 7 from noon to 3 p.m.

PREPPING FOR THE EVENING WEAR COMPETITION…BELLA AND RUSSELL

Competition will be fierce as dogs vie for awards in Most Unique Breed, Most Unique Feature, Best Trick, Dog/Owner Look-Alike and, of course, Best in Show categories. If they had a fastest eating contest, I know my Bella would crush her opponents. Come down and enjoy ice cream trucks, live music and face painting—no word on whether our pups can get a new look, but a painted face would certainly help win Most Unique Feature! Heck, if you and your dog get matching face paint, you’d be shoo-ins for Dog/Owner Look-Alike.

The show will also offer dog treats and apparel, and a cash bar (stay for one minute and it will be past noon, which we all know is a perfectly acceptable time for cocktails). Proceeds benefit The Guide Dog Foundation of Long Island and East Hampton Lions Club. Adult tickets are $10 and free for kids. However, if you want to pit your dogs against other canines in the actual contest, pre-register them for $40 at the East Hampton Lions Club Facebook page (facebook.com/easthampton.lionsclub).

It will be a fun day for a good cause.

JANUARY IS THE CRUELEST MONTH!

T.S. Eliot once said, “April is the cruelest month.”   Well, let me just say anyone who was willing to write the lyrics for that awful Andrew Lloyd Webber musical gets no respect from me!   The Hamptons in January is truly the cruelest month!  Case I point, today I went to a home inspection and there was no heat.    The homeowner had winterized the property and it was a 20 degrees INSIDE!     Yeah, Hamptons real estate is so glamorous!     My feet are still numb, but I guess it’s better than working in a coal mine or being a food critic in Des Moines.

 

Anyway, all things considered the Hamptons are not a bad place to be even when it’s 5 degrees outside.     So, here they are in no particular order a few fun INDOOR things to do when the forecast has more negatives than a yelp review for a Cracker Barrel restaurant.

 

Montauk Salt Cave

The Montauk Salt Cave – Imagine sitting comfortably in a nice heated room as you breath in Himalayan salt infused air.    It’s like going to the beach but without a village parking sticker.    According to the company website, the cave helps revitalizes ones respiratory tract with lungs and nasal passages cleared from pollens, inflammations and other pollutants.  This is particularly handy if you’ve recently been spending anytime on Main St. Amagansett.   The cave has various scheduled sessions that included everything from guided mediations to reiki healing.    Locals secret:  Take a look on Groupon where the session are often offered at a steep discount.  For more information click HERE.

 

Photo: The Clubhouse East Hampton

The Fieldhouse East Hampton – If you haven’t gone yet you should.   Located on Daniels Hole Rd. in E. Hampton, this entertainment center has something for everyone.    There’s an arcade for the kids, bowling for the families, bocci balland corn hole for the millennials and a bar/restaurant with full a menu for people like me.    They also have a mini golf course but I don’t think that’s in the cards when it’s this cold.   Long needed on the east end, the Fieldhouse is perfect for everyone.  It’s especially great for parents who want to ignore their children with a cocktail as the little ones play games, win points and hopefully buy a prize.   If you want more information check out the website HERE.  Local secret:  Check out their Facebook page for special events and discounts.

 

 

The Spa at Gurney’s – Book a massage or treatment at the Seawater Spa then for a small facilities fee of $30 take a dip in the salt water pool, sweat in the sauna or sweat it out in the Swedish steam room.   The best part of the deal is actually swimming in the pool while overlooking the sand and surf through the expansive wall of glass doors.     Follow it up with a glass of wine and lunch at Tillie’s café.   Although last time I was there I got in trouble for trying to eat my tuna salad sandwich in the pool, so I don’t advise.    For more information you can click HERE.    Local secret:  Memberships are available for access to the fitness club and spa areas.

 

The Parish Art Museum – It’s indoors.  It has art.  I never took an art history class so it’s pointless for me to elaborate.   There are no dogs playing poker, toreadors on velvet or cats hanging onto bars so I’m lost.   I will say people seem to enjoy it and find it EDUCATIONAL.   For the latest exhibitions and hours click HERE.

 

So, there you go!  I know!  You’re welcome!  You don’t have to sit on the sofa binge watching Netflix the entire month.    There are actually things you can do INDOORS that are a little out of the normal routine.    Now, excuse me while I book my flight on Southwest.

 

Mysterious Moves on 27 in East Hampton!

According to their Facebook page, Highway diner in East Hampton has indeed changed hands and the lease was sold to an “very talented group.”      There was a lot of speculation about what was to become of the most cursed location in the Hamptons since the Water Mill

The end of the Highway!

shopping center!   By the way, any news on how West Elm is actually doing?    A few weeks ago, some eagle eyed readers noticed there was an ad for waiters and waitresses needed at the diner but nothing much happened.  The “Reopening in March” sign came and went and now it’s gone and so is much of the restaurants interior.    Construction crews have been there morning till night and it looks like there are some training sessions going on for staff inside.    But here’s where the news gets a little more depressing, apparently they are going to open as a new Japanese restaurant…. yes another Asian Restaurant!    This I think may be a nail in the coffin of Zokkon which was being operated by the former chef Suki Zuki, which in spite of some really good food, the place appears to be struggling.    I just hope for their sake Highway Diner isn’t becoming a Nobu.

I drove by and asked one of the employees in the lot what’s going on and they indeed confirmed a Japanese restaurant.   If you got the real inside scoop, please let me know.  Here’s the posting on the Facebook page.

Highway Diner & Bar has been sold. Thanks to all of the guests who made the Highway a special place in our community. We will leave it to the new owners to announce their future plans but we can reveal they are a very talented group so you can expect great food in a beautiful space. Have a wonderful Summer.UPDATE:  Someone pointed out that the know-it-alls at Curbed.com already got the inside scoop on this one!  Here’s the LINK!

Now for the other mystery in East Hampton.   Why has there been an East Hampton Town Police car sitting there for the past 2 weeks.   There doesn’t appear to be anybody in the car and it sits there empty day after day keeping a very watching eye on the Highway Diner and the green tank!   I’m only waiting for someone who is texting and driving to side swipe or hit it.   Is it me or is does this seem like an accident waiting to happen?  Does anyone know why it’s there?