montauk – Hamptons Chatter

CHATTING ABOUT CHEWING!

May 5, 2022May 4, 2022

Summer is almost here and for many of us on the east end that means more people, more traffic and more stores and restaurants will actually be open. It’s like the first blooming onion , I mean Crocus of spring! A welcome sign to anyone who has experienced the anguish of trying to go out for dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night.

First it’s not a restaurant but Round Swamp Farm is back in action. The East Hampton, Montauk and Bridgehampton outlets all opened this past weekend. It wasn’t a moment too soon. My winter stock of frozen Chicken Pot Pies, Lisa’s Chocolate Chip Cookies and Mexican Layer Dip is completely depleted. BTW, last year I discovered their tortilla chips, and they are the best I’ve ever had anywhere! Seriously.

Speaking of excellent tortilla chips, Rita Cantina which was a breakout hit last summer will once again be serving their tortillas, margaritas and quesadillas beginning next Wednesday the 11th. According to their RESY schedule they’ll be open Wed – Sunday’s starting at 4pm.

One of the best things about the east end is being on the water. Luckily, we have some seriously awesome joints where you can dine while enjoying the bucolic waters of the Hamptons. In East Hampton there is only one restaurant that has killer sunset views along with killer food: Bostwicks on the Harbor – opening Thursday May 5th (Thursday – Sunday 5pm). I don’t think I ever had a bad meal there but the wait (no reservations) is sometimes a bit of a hassle. But when you see the sunset and tear into that tuna tartare, you’ll be in dining nirvana.

Another killer sunset view restaurant is Beacon in Sag Harbor. The same folks who keep you fed all winter long at Fresno in EH and Bell and Anchor in Sag Harbor will be opening their warm weather venue Wednesday May 11th. The home of my favorite Tuna Tostada and Lobster Rigatoni sits overlooking Sag Harbor Cove and has some spectacular sunsets. This place is a must for anyone who enjoys a casually chic dining experience with million-dollar views.

Finally, Duryea’s Beach Club in Orient Point and The Lobster Deck in Montauk will both be back in action in a few days. The Lobster Deck is opening on Thursday May 12th and Beach club in Orient on the 18th. Featuring favorites like the colossal Duryea’s Cobb Salad, extensive raw bar and Duryea’s Lobster Roll it’s no wonder this is one of the hottest spots for celebs (Think Jay-Z & Bey) and regulars (me) in the Hamptons.

So here’s to summer and hopefully I’ll see you all soon al fresco!

THE BEST HAMPTONS PROFRESHIONALS!

May 19, 2021

Hamptons Farmers Markets Are Back!

Back in the day I would get excited about going to clubs and hearing the latest music but not anymore. Instead of getting psyched for fresh beats I now get excited by fresh BEETS! Ha. Sorry. Hamptons foodies rejoice! Farmers markets are back, or coming back, this summer. With markets up and down the South Fork, we’ll have no shortage of fresh produce and locally sourced goodies until the leaves change. I, for one, cannot wait to dig into the many organic and artisanal delights, like local honey, gourmet mushrooms, fresh pies and heaps of fruits and veggies.

SEE THE SITES AND HOUNDS OF EAST HAMPTON FARMER’S MARKET ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!

Navigating all that’s out there can be challenging, so I’ve put together this handy list of markets along the South Fork, from Montauk to Westhampton Beach.

Montauk Farmers Market
New vendors and returning favorites will convene on Village Green (743 Montauk Highway) every Thursday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. starting June 3. The day switches to Fridays on September 17 and will continue with the same hours every Friday through November 19. Covid rules remain in effect, including masks, social distancing and one-way aisles.

East Hampton Farmers Market
This local favorite returns on Fridays at its new Herrick Park location starting May 28 and will continue every Friday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., rain or shine, through December 12. The Sunday market is already underway at Herrick Park, but the final day is slated for May 30, following the return of Fridays. You’ll find something for every taste, including your dogs.

Look for: Arlotta Foods, Artisan Knives by Gary Parker, Balsam Farms, Blue Duck Bakery, The Complete Burger, The Cookery: Cyn & Trudy, East End Apiaries, Eli’s Bread, Finn’s Smoked Fish Dip, Hamptons Barkery, Hamptons Sourdough, The Hampton Grocer, The Heavenly Hive, Island End Farms, Knot of This World Pretzels, L’Acquolina Pasta, Manna Sauces, Mecox Bay Dairy, Montauk Scallop Co., Open Minded Organics, Papa Pasquale Italian Specialties, Peck’s of Maine, The Perfect Pickle, Regina’s Farmstand, Rena’s Dream Patties, Sand & Soil Farm, Sang Lee Organic Farm, Sharp Cat Knife Sharpening, Solemate Cakes, South Fork Bakery, Terra Nut, The Ferm, The Tumeric Store, Tulo’s Milk, Wickham’s Fruit Farm and Wolffer Estate Vineyards. Personal fave…. The Cookery with Cyn and Trudy! They have amazing fruit tarts, breads and pies!

Fruit Tart from THE COOKERY WITH CYN AND TRUDY!

Sag Harbor Farmers Market

Kicking off next Saturday, May 22 and continuing every Saturday on the corner of Bay and Burke streets from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. through Halloween, the Sag Harbor Farmers Market has all the requisite fresh foods, produce and local products from a long list of vendors. You might even spot a celebrity or two.

Amagansett Farmers Market / Amber Waves Farm and CSA
Operating on land conserved by the Peconic Land Trust in 2008, Amber Waves Farm focuses on their effort to unite food and community “with the mission to provide rich educational opportunities in agriculture for aspiring growers, thoughtful cooks and eaters of all ages.” Visit seven days per week to find fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits and herbs, among other goodies, from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. at 367 Main Street. And ask about their CSA program if you want to go full-on crunchy granola.

Westhampton Beach Farmers Market
Open Saturdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Village Green (Main Street and Beach Lane), the Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s market hosts over 60 vendors, growers and producers offering locally grown, caught made items such as breads, fruits and vegetables, herbs, honey, local wine, pickles, mushrooms, Greek yogurt, shellfish, ravioli, fudge, cheese, cakes and pies, eggs, fish, flowers, sauces, spice rubs, chicken, gourmet items and much more.

Go to one or go to them all! This is Hamptons living done right.

JANUARY IS THE CRUELEST MONTH!

January 22, 2019January 22, 2019

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.

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.

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.

IN PURSUIT OF POT PIES!

November 6, 2017

“The falling leaves, drift by my window. The falling leaves of red and gold. I see my a/c, it’s still cranking. It’s Autumn time in New York.” You may say you’re frightened by climate change but secretly you know you love these 75 degree days in November. But in spite of the w

arm temperatures other signs of fall have definitely arrived. The apple picking, the dog walks on the beach and of course for foodies like me (in the sense that I don’t hold my nose up at movie theatre nachos) prix fixes and new fall menus.

One of my favorite foods of fall is a good chicken pot pie. This has been something I discovered later in life since my early exposure consisted of a Swanson’s TV dinner. In fact, there are a more than a few things hated as a kid that I now love. For example, I hated steak for quite a long time due to my mother’s unsurpassed skill in killing a cow twice. But like everything these days from macaroni to pasta, iceberg to arugula, donut to cronut everything seems to have a more epicurean slant. Now, chicken pot pies are enjoying their moment in the spotlight and the competition for your fork is heating up. I guess it’s also a case of everything old is new again.

The showdown occurs every Monday as Cove Hollow Tavern and Highway Restaurant are going head to head in a show down of puffed pastry poultry. Both are homemade and both are about 100 steps above those frozen ones from your childhood. Being a fan of both establishments, I can say you won’t be disappointed in either but the winner and still champion is….. the one at Highway. Why? It’s more. While both are tasty, Highway Restaurant’s is chock full of white meat chicken, more flaky crust and it’s a meal and a half. Yes, I’ve taken mine home to go and finished it the next day for lunch. Cove Hollow Tavern’s is more like a soup with a top of buttery pastry on top. CHT pot pie is less a meal and more a nice appetizer. Either way, I suggest you try both and judge for yourself. Now if only both locations would figure a way to put these in a preformed aluminum tray with a side apple cobbler. Now that would be nostalgic!

Meanwhile, I love getting my google alerts. Some of the key words I get are “real estate, my name, Sag Harbor and Hamptons.” It’s great, if you don’t do this you should. I get the latest on market trends, business comings and goings and the latest felony charge for my namesake somewhere in the midwest. Recently I got an alert that Vogue magazine has an article about some island in New Zealand that’s their (ha, I didn’t write there) answer to the Hamptons. Its called Waiheke Island and I guess now we can say we’re “Long Island’s answer to Waiheke.” So this had me thinking, what other parallels can me made about the East End? Here are a few of my observations.

Bridgehampton Commons – The Rodeo Drive of the Hamptons – It’s all about the shopping. Face it, where else can you actually walk for 100 yards and not hit a real estate office or bank?

Flanders – The Secaucus of the Hamptons – lots of waterfront property and a heck of a lot cheaper than if you drive 10 more minutes.

Montauk – The Key West of the Hamptons – It’s the “end” and home to some of the besthangouts around.

Rt. 27 – The 405 Freeway of the Hamptons – You hate driving on this road but do you have another choice?

Finally, Greenport – It’s the Brooklyn of the Hamptons. Hip, cool and too late to get a steal.