hamtpons.

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!

Just reduced by $200,000 Water Mill Estate!!!

 

A true waterfront paradise. This exclusive gated estate sits on almost one full acre of land next to a 1.4 acre waterfront wildflower preserve on Mill Pond. Thoreau would envy the quietude-only two other homes are next to the preserve. This gracious, gabled, traditional home is 7,900 square feet with 6 BR’s and 6 1/2 baths with radiant heated floors. Wide-plank Brazilian cherry flooring, Professional Gourmet Kitchen with custom cabinetry, 60″ Wolf range/dual-ovens/French cook top, 2 Wolf wall ovens, 2 Sub-Zero refigerators, 2 Bosch dishwahsers, 2 farm sinks, granite counter-tops and Formal Dining Room have all been done with superior finshes. There are also 4 Wood-burning Fireplaces, Family Room, 1st Floor BR, Master Bedroom Large mahogany deck facing water & pool Bose audio system. The home also features the latest home Security system, and extensive lightning rod system. A multi zoned HVAC with room-by-room controls and a central vacuum system and laundries on 1st and 2nd floor make for great comfort and convenience. The elevator cab is richly paneled in cherry and is just one of the many elegant touches inside this amazing home. Now asking $5,395,000

For complete listing information and video tour… cut and paste this link. All disclaimers are posted on the link.

http://bit.ly/i2UjhM

It’s a lot like my house but not as comfortable but the food is better!!!

So I finally hit what I have no doubt will be “THE” place this summer. The Living Room at The Maidstone. That’s the Maidstone Inn… not the the “Club” where they would never let me in…. and who are you kidding, they wouldn’t let you in the “Club” either!

Anyway, newly redone and newly fun the menu is pretty eclectic but not difficult. SI started with the winter salad of baby arugula, apples, endive, walnuts, cranberries, apple cider vinaigrette and grated blue cheese. The portion was generous and the salad was delicious ($14). Among the other appetizers are Swedish country Pate with lingonberry (why does that sound gross to me?) mustard, cornichons and radish ($12)… Peconic pride oysters (who knew Peconic oysters were gay but that’s what the menu said) on the half shell with citron mignonette.

The entrees include Sweedish lamb meatballs, Salmon, Codfish, Fettuccine with wild mushroom bolognese and pecorino. Yum, so what did I order. Chicken, I know I’m boring. Besides everything else tastes like it anyway, right? It was apparently a Heritage chicken, once again there words are not mine and that means and I quote “A happy chicken who leads a natural and relaxed like on a farm with family and friends” until he of course gets his head cut off and is tossed in a rosemary jus, with Long Island potato puree and caramelized Brussels sprout leaves ($28). In the end it wasn’t the chicken that was happy but rather it was me!

A nice room, plenty of am-beyonce which is much hipper than just ambiance. The Living Room was a comfortable and good meal with great service. Go now, you’re not going to want to in August! TRUST ME. Chef James Carpenter formally of Della Famina and one my favorites Susan Spicer’s Bayona in New Orleans gets an A for The Living Room. Anyone else agree? The Living room is located 207 MAIN ST., EAST HAMPTON 631.324.5006

Finally, the Sag Harbor express has a riveting intereview with a US Census taker in this weeks issue. www.sagharboronline.com Don’t wait for the movie kids, it’s always more exciting to read it!!!