main street – Hamptons Chatter

AMAGANSETT GETS ROWDY.. AND MORE BEACH PERMITS?!

May 16, 2023

I knew this days ago but didn’t blog. Shame on me. But it was confirmed by the East Hampton Star yesterday. 177 Main Street Amagansett will welcome Rowdy Hall as its new resident. With the building’s sale last year to a investment group, securing the space for just shy of $5 million, anticipation and speculation about a new tenant has been rampant. Now comes word, the Nick and Toni’s sister restaurant plans to make its move after Labor Day, taking over the spot most recently occupied by Main Street Tavern. However, fear not, for Rowdy Hall will continue to serving some of the best burgers in town at its current location throughout the summer. Here’s hoping the same group puts there other eatery La Fondita in its place for a sit down restaurant…. hint, hint, hint guys.

There’s nothing quite like a day spent lounging on the beach with your toes in the sand and soaking up the sun rays. However, getting to the beach can be stressful, especially if you missed out on the East Hampton Village Non-Resident beach permits. But don’t panic, there is now another option, 2023 Half-Season Non-Resident Beach Parking Permits.

Half-Season Non-Resident 2023 Beach Parking Permits are a fantastic option for anyone who might have missed out on purchasing a full-season parking pass. Yes, we are talking Hamptons prices but it’s still cheaper than getting a parking ticket…. or is it? These permits will only be sold online and will not be available for sale by mail or in person. They will be available for purchase for $500 per half-season, with the first half running from May 15th to July 31st of 2023, and the second half running from August 1st to September 15th of 2023. You can click here to get all the details.

LIFE IS A CABERNET! PLUS BEFORE THE CROWDS, 5 IDEAS FOR ENJOYING THE HAMPTONS.

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023

WILL THE NEXT RESTAURANT ENTER AND SIGN IN PLEASE!

Sag Harbor get ready to raise your glass! Although, I have no doubt it will be a costly one. Vin Sur Vingt, one of the best wine and cheese bars in NYC according to CBS News Online (which is kind of like Bon Appetite but it’s online and it’s from CBS News) is coming soon to 29 Main Street. With several NYC outlets and one in D.C., the wine bar is said to be opening sometime this spring. After some minor renovations the merlot and chablis will be flowing at the former site of Montauk Lobster Company, Wolffer Kitchen, and a few others I can’t even remember. After perusing their website we can expect an experience a tad different from Murph’s as their menu features light dishes like charcuterie boards, pizzas, tartines and other bistro-inspired bites. The Hamptons has been missing out on a traditional wine bar so fingers crossed that Vin Sur Vingt has the right tannins. If it’s a hit, we can skip tipping the box of wine and Ritz Crackers for a nice night out.

So here we are it’s April and it’s only a matter of weeks before we will be at full tilt here on the East End. That means the warm breezes, brilliant sun and bumper to bumper traffic will all soon be the norm. But before things get too crazy, now is the perfect time to enjoy the Hamptons and a few of the best things that life or at least Long Island has to offer.

Spa Day at Gurneys – it’s like a mini vacation. Have a work out followed by a massage, sauna, swim and a lunch overlooking the water. What could be better? Go Monday through Thursday and even save a few bucks. If you want more information; click here.

Try Some New Food – Two new eateries opened since last summer and both will no doubt have a hefty waiting list this summer. My favorite of the two is Leon 1909 on Shelter Island. A cool setting, top notch service, interesting menu and most importantly some really good food. The other is The Good Ground Tavern at Canoe Place Inn of Hampton Bays. A major renovation of the once hopping hot spot has created a stunning yet casual experience. The service is great as are the appetizers. The main courses were a little sub-par (we had the chicken and the poached black bass) but it was overall an enjoyable evening. I expect both joints to be packed by Memorial Day.

Trivia Night at Town Line – Gather your smartest friends and head to Townline BBQ every Thursday night at 7p in Wainscott, although I suggest getting there much earlier. There, you can put your knowledge to the test with 6 rounds of trivia based on various themes – from current events, pop culture and even song clips! A $10 entry fee per person gets pooled together so that 1st place will take home 60% of it, 2nd place 30%, 3rd 10%. Plus there’s an added bonus: whoever wins big throughout the season-long competition walks away with The Golden Pig trophy at Memorial Day weekend! Apparently smart folks take the summer off as that is the final weekend till fall.

Live Music and Wine Tasting at Wolffer Vineyards – Come out and experience a cozy night of music and wine at the beautiful Wölffer Estate Vineyard tasting room! Every Friday starting at 4:30 you’ll be able to listen to talented local musicians as you sip on their new releases for this winter. Indulge in seasonal pairings, delicious wines & ciders, speciality cocktails – all while relaxing with friends around candlelight tables. Reserve your spot now before it’s too late! Click here for more details about each week’s musical performance lineup.

Go RIde a Bike – With summer on the horizon, it’s time to get out and explore the beauty of The Hamptons! A few years ago Curbed.com did us all a huge favor by putting together five stunning bike tours for the area – so why not hop on your two-wheeler before Mr & Mrs Magoo take over our roads. Enjoy some fresh air and amazing scenery as you make your way through these picturesque routes – click here to see where they recommend taking in all this lushness that makes living (and biking!) in The Hamptons unforgettable. Click here for the details.

Games Hamptons People Play

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022

Boardwalk. Go to jail. Do not pass go. These are all synonymous with the game of Monopoly, which has been collecting dust in family closets for generations. But now there’s a new version of the game that is ready to eat up shelf space and raise a few eyebrows at the same time: Hamptons Monopoly. You probably saw it displayed as you entered the local CVS or vareity store. This version of the game, which is set in The Hamptons, features a number of changes to the traditional game board, including different properties and different prices. While some people love the new twists on the classic game, others like me feel that it could just as well be set in Ronkonkoma. Meaning, this board game was developed by some intern at Hasbro who was researching articles in Long Island Pennysaver.

First off, Boardwalk and Park Place have been replaced with the Montauk Light House and Shelter Island. While not exactly Baltic Avenue, one would think Boardwalk would be Sag Harbor Main Street or Southampton Bath and Tennis. Instead of going to Jail maybe they should just put you in line at Citarealla. As for the game game pieces, the car looks kind of like a Ford Pinto (have they been to the Hamptons?). Why didn’t they at least have something more hip like a Moke! But before you think they totally missed the mark, the retail price for the Hamptons version is $39.99 while the regular sells for $16.34 on Amazon.com. I think I’ll stick to solitaire on my phone.

Another restaurant falls victim to the tough Hamptons restaurant scene. The Montauk Lobster House, nestled between Sen and the American Hotel on Main Street Sag Harbor, has closed its doors. The restaurant’s location and proximity to other successful businesses should have made it a huge success, but apparently not. Maybe it was the dumb name considering it’s in Sag Harbor. Or maybe it was just bad luck. Either way, there’s no news yet about what’s going into the space which was also formerly occupied by Wolffer Kitchen. We can only hope that the new business will have better luck than the Montauk Lobster House.

Sag Harbor Love Shack to Become Coffee Klatch at Latham House…and ATTENTI Shoe Lovers!

April 20, 2021

I caught wind of some good gossip out of Sag Harbor: UNCONFIRMED RUMOR HAS IT… The famed 1790-built Peleg Latham House, listed by Brown Harris Stevens for $5,999,000 and current home of pink and wispy women’s clothing store LoveShackFancy, just sold to Jack Mazzola, owner of Jack’s Stir Brew Coffee. I wonder if the B-52s get a cut? After all, Fred Schneider is no stranger to these parts.

Unfortunately for Mazzola, I’m also hearing LoveShackFancy—”She’s a dreamer, a lover, elegantly ethereal, and romantic at heart…”—might not want to give up their lease. And why would they? Located at 117 Main Street, Latham House is one of Sag Harbor’s most historic and iconic buildings.

From Brown Harris Stevenhttps://www.bhsusa.com/hamptons/village-of-sag-harbor/117-main-street/house/861623

The three-level, 3,162-square-foot federal-style home offers more than 1,150 square feet of prime retail space and a Main Street-accessible residence with exposed wood beams, seven custom brick fireplaces and beautifully aged hardwood floors. And while it’s old, Latham House isn’t short of luxury and pomp, including a spacious living room, formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, full bath, laundry and butler’s pantry on the first floor. Jack will have to supply his own butler, but it’s nice to know Jeeves would be well supplied. This place exemplifies old-world charm, with history oozing from every exposed brick and venerable wood beam.

Outside, the backyard features a spacious brick patio, gunite pool, private garden and manicured landscaping.

The BHS listing started at $7,999,000 in January 2020, dropped to $6,995,000 last July and finally landed at an irresistible $5,999,000 in February.

Italian Fashion Comes to EH, Twice

Speaking of new business, two of Italy’s most recognizable fashion brands, Gucci and Tod’s, now have spots in East Hampton Village.

Passersby in EH will have seen the pink flowers and Gucci logos filling the windows at 17 Newtown Lane, which used to house Club Monaco. Renovations are underway behind those covered windows, and soon the flower motif will give way to displays by one of the fashion world’s most seminal designers. Watch gucci.com for updates, including the opening date.

Meanwhile, just down the block at 47 Newtown Lane, Tod’s is open for business selling shoes, belts and other fine Italian leather goods in the former home of Tory Burch.

Everyone is waiting for what’s going to be a gangbuster summer, and with Europe still off limits it’s sort of a foregone conclusion. Hamptons shopping is back, baby.