Hamptons

It’s a strange, strange, strange world out there!!! Especially the Hamptons!

First off, let me say to everyone “Happy New Year!” Let’s hope that 2010 is the year everyone is hoping it will be and better than 2009!

Today, I was reading the online edition of the Real Deal Magazine which posed the question to some real estate agents in New York City, “what’s the strangest experience you ever had at an open house?” While more than a few involved walking in on an unsuspecting couple in bed either sleeping, reading the newspaper in the nude or procreating there were a few I found a little hard to believe. So with this in mind I’m giving you the link to the real deal article and reflecting on some of the more unusual experiences I had conducting an open house. BECAUSE IT ACTUALLY GETS WEIRDER IN THE HAMPTONS!

http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/25669/elert?utm_campaign=The+Real+Deal+News+-+Residential+Real+Estate&utm_content=The+Real+Deal+News+-+Residential+Real+Estate&utm_medium=email&utm_source=MadMimi&utm_term=%0D%0AAgents+see+the+strangest+things+at+open+houses%0D%0A

I think the oddest and perhaps most unnerving was conducting and open house for a couple who were in the midst of a divorce. I came to the open house about 10 minutes early, set up my sign-in sheets and signs and sat waiting to do my best imitation of Alec Baldwin in GLENGARY GLENN ROSS … although I think it was a little closer to Annette Benning in American Beauty. Well as my first few prospects came in to preview the home, the soon to be ex-wife arrived and started yelling “F” bombs at the soon to be ex-husband. It turns out that couple were not speaking and while the husband was aware of the open house, he never told the wife. Hmmmmmmmmm. LOVELY! Suffice to say, nobody bought the house that day and all but one overly nosey viewer split as soon as the screaming started.

Some other quick odd OPEN HOUSES; the neighbor who came to look at their neighbors house because they hated each other and wanted to see the inside… and the weirdest… the girlfriend who came to the open house to see if there were photographs of her in the house when she wasn’t around.

Finally if you ever come to an open house I’m selling don’t be nosey. One of these days I’m loading the medicine cabinet with ping pong balls.

Happy New Year!!! Greatings from Buenos Aires and Punta Del Este, Uraguay

So, I’m out of the Hamptons for a few days and I’m now officially in the Hamptons of South America; Punta Del Este in Uraguay. Yes, they have great restaurants, tons of shopping Tiffany’s – they had an awesome opening party two nights ago and it’s a beautiful store, Prada, Gucci, etc.

If you stay away from those stores it’s actually quite inexpensive. How to describe the area? Well it’s beautiful with pristin beaches and has a very European flair. Check out the photo to the left. That’s the hotel where I’m blogging now. It’s a little rustic but is located in one of the most spetacular locations in the area; Punta Ballena.

My only bad news, never rent a car from a local service. The cars are lemons. Otherwise, if you drive it’s actually quite easy. I’ll post another update in a day or two. I hope everyone is having a great holiday!!!

We’re not in Bridgehampton anymore!!!

Just checking in for a flight out of the country. I got here way early due to the heightened security alert due to a certain incident that happend in Detroit. Well there I was wandering past the Wok and Roll and the Del Taco when low and behold I see it’s “Bobby Van’s.” Yes, the watering hole and hangout for AA dropouts from all over the Hamptons. It’s an abbreviated menu but the food is pretty good. It’s located in the American Airlines terminal. Notice the dark wood interior… much different than the Sabarro pizza in Islip Airport. Consider it your last taste of the Hamptons before that out of town flight

A Muse for cooking and culinary arts!

So, the weather outside is frightful… and starting a fire don’t seem delightful. With no particular place to go… head to Muse in Water Mill. Why you ask? Well because the food is pretty good and they occasionally offer one of the most fun evenings in the Hamptons… a cooking class.

Last Tuesday night I headed over to the restaurant which is located in the Citarella/Blockbuster shopping center for an evening cooking class. Now, you have to understand I was more nervous than a poodle at a Chinese restaurant but I went anyway to learn a thing or two. The topic for the evening was appetizers for your holiday party. I was hoping that I could eventually serve more than frozen pigs in a blanket at my next soiree!

The class was run by the owner and chef of MUSE, Matthew Guiffrida. The cost was about $45per person and for the small sum we were fed, entertained and had more than a couple glasses of vino. Matthew is not only a GREAT entertainer but has enough personality AND knowledge to keep 40+ adults quiet and entertained for over two hours. Considering when I cook the only way I know something is done is when the smoke detector goes off, the class was really educational.

The one dish I remember best and liked the most were his Risotto balls. They were absolutely awesome. My only criticism; the food came too slow and the wine came too quickly. Otherwise, it was probably one of the most fun evenings I can remember in the Hamptons in a long time. For more information, call the restaurant for the time and date of the next class. Muse Restaurant and Aqua Bar, 760 Montauk Highway Water Mill. Phone: 631-726-2606