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| Something Brewing.. time to change the label! |
I can barley stand it! It has some folks hops-ing mad! Apparently the spuds will no longer be flowing on Bowden Square. In spite of an announcement back in October that the Southampton Publick House would be staying put at the current location, word has gotten out that folks will soon have to fasten their beer goggles in a new location. Since 1996 the brewery and restaurant have been a staple around town but it seems the new building owners have other plans. According to some local insiders, the location will soon be home to a “high end Mexican Restaurant.” Now if you’ve ever read this blog before… that’s a huge deal for me yet I hate to see an old favorite move to somewhere new. While the Publick house will go on… like Celine Dion’s heart…. it will according to insiders have to be in a new location. Sometimes a little change will do you good.
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| Oh is that the blood rushing to your head? |
Now for a little advice. If you want to send any real estate agent’s boiling blood further to their head just say the following sentence, “BUT Zillow said my house is worth X!” It’s the bane of many a real estate agent and brokers existence. In fact, The Los Angles Times recently tackled the issue of “Zestimantes” (Zillow’s estimate) and how many claim they’re wildly inaccurate. In fact, I have to say part of the big problem with Zillow’s “formula” is that it can’t really take into account factors like condition and location (waterfront, south of the highway, village). So how inaccurate are these “Zestimates?” Well the CEO of Zillow was recently quoted as saying they’re “a good starting point” and have a “median error rate of about 8%.” Obviously this error rate varies in different markets and Zillow even says so at the bottom of the Zestimates page. While I couldn’t locate the margin in our area, I can tell you that my own personal home fluctuated by about 
$5,000,000 in a period of 6 months. Now, I know you think Hamptons Chatter just rakes in the money but the initial high estimate they gave my home was crazy. I’d move out in hours if I could get that number tomorrow! Yep, I would guess their error rate in the Hamptons is a heck of a lot more than a 8%. It’s a big miss in the Hamptons… like an Ishtar big miss! A “Missestimate” if you will. So the take away from all of this… talk to an agent or do your homework (Zillow.com is a great source for closed prices) and don’t try let some silicon valley geek tell you what your home is worth. Besides, how could you put a price on that “Sistine Chapel” painting on your master bedroom ceiling?
I’ve been whining with my Sancerre for years now about the state of Mexican cuisine here in the Hamptons. While we still don’t have a decent sit down restaurant (yes, I revisited Blue Parrot one more time, it was awful and expensive -$20 burrito with what I’m pretty sure was microwaved chicken) that serves a full south of the border menu we do have another entry into the good… actually really good food to go category. Formerly of the Wainscott Seafood shop, chef Peter Ambrose has taken his successful Endless Summer brand and opened a new taco shop at the home of the former “Food and Co.”
“Pete’s Endless Summer Taco Shop” is a welcome addition to east end cuisine. The menu which features his famous fish tacos, along with such delicacies as braised duck, nori brined applewood barbecue chicken (which blew me away… really good) and vegan selections is fairly basic but full of gourmet varieties of the Mexican treats. There are no fajitas or burritos on the menus but there’s plenty here to choose from and at a really reasonable prices, especially for the Hamptons. Prices start at $5 per taco or 3 for $13-$16 and make this easy to go down. Fries, salads, fresh guacamole and home made grilled tomato salsa are also available. If you want more information go to www.peterambrose.com or call them at 631-527-5515. Pete’s Endless Taco Shop is located at 283 Pantigo Road, East Hampton. Also make sure to try the deserts from Jennifer Corzzo… delicious!
Speaking of Mexican… Sabrosa Grill is opening in Water Mill next to the Hess Station. Let the battle of the burritos begin. While I don’t think Sabrosa will require you to microwave your own
Well some good news for those who love a good steak or a great juicy burger. Sag Harbor’s venerable favorite Cromer’s Meat Market is setting up shop in the Hamptons Market on Race Lane. In case you’re not aware, they also provide meats to more than a dozen restaurants on the East End. So you know they’re pretty good. Signs in the market indicate it will be opening today (March 21st). If you remember, there hasn’t been a butcher there since before the market suffered from a fire and forced renovation about a year ago. A nice ode to spring unless of course you’re a cow!
Meanwhile, sometimes a name change is just a name change The former Agave in Bridgehampton… which is not to be confused with the old Agave in Sag Harbor or the current Agave in Westhampton… has changed its name to Mercado. According to their 
If you’re a person who loves new places and things, you’ve more than likely visited Trip Advisor. You know the place where every day folks let you know what they think of this hotel or that restaurant. For example, if you want a good chuckle read the reviews on Blue Parrot. Well I recently logged onto the site and I noticed something a little odd. The “East End Eating Disorder Center” is apparently seeking reviews on the site. While, I’m not so sure if this is a good idea, I can assure you there will be no middle ground. My guess is most of the reviews are either the portions are too large or in fact too small. Now, I’m not making fun of eating disorders but you have to admit, this is weird. Besides if people are eating too much it’s just as easy to take them to Blue Parrot.