montauk

JANUARY IS THE CRUELEST MONTH!

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.

 

Montauk Salt Cave

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.

 

Photo: The Clubhouse East Hampton

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!

“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

IMG_1571
HIghway Restaurant’s Chicken Pot Pie!

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?

 

Key West
Hanging out in Montauk… uh Key West!

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

!! YES!!! I USE TOO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!! BUT I’M TALKING WINE,PUPPIES AND WHAT TOWN IS FOR YOU!!!

For the party animals in us all!

It’s not the dog days of summer yet but its time for some doggone fun!   UGH.  Even I know that is a really bad pun!  First a little advertisement for a REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD CAUSE!   The Southampton Animal Shelter holds it’s Fourth Annual Unconditional Love Gala this Saturday.   The shelter was originally operated by the town but due to budget cuts, the town shut the shelter.   A group of concerned locals got together to save the shelter and formed the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation!  Ok, I’m a total sucker for animal charities.   I give to the ASPCA, ARF and I bought a ticket to this event.   I know my stigmata wounds are already acting up… I’m a saint!   It’s a great cause…. a really fun benefit and you can help out some of the cutest Hamptonites around!  You know the cute friendly ones who don’t cut you off, text and drive, brag about their decorator or flash their Panerai!  Bella and Russell can’t go but I know are giving their full support to the benefit.   Thanks to my friends Sarah Alvarez and Molly Molly for telling me about this event!  If you want to purchase tickets and help out… CLICK HERE!

So often I get asked as a real estate agent, “which town is best?”    You know, that’s a really hard question to answer.   I really think every town has some very unique benefits and it’s own pluses and minuses.     So I developed a little quiz here to help you find the town that’s right for you…. it’s fun…
it’s silly… and eerily accurate;  So here we go.

1)   On Saturday afternoons your footwear of choice during the summer is …
a) Barefoot

Where should you go???

b) Gucci or Prada
c) Teva’s
d) Custom Monogrammed slippers

2)    While driving a convertible around town, Paula Abdul comes on the radio.  Do you…
a) Remark “she was a singer? or “Who TF.”
b) Remark “I wish they were playing “Straight-up.”
c) Reduce the volume and hope nobody hears you listening.
d) You would never play the radio while your top was down!

3)    My idea of a memorable evening is…..
a) Not remembering how I got home.
b) Sitting next to Gwyneth and Jerry at The Grill.
c) Getting an invite for sailing and sunset cocktails.
d) Hosting an awesome dinner party and getting some great hostess gifts!

4)     My favorite drink before dinner is…
a) Red Bull and Vodka.
b) A nice Rose or Sancerre.
c) An awesome margarita with
d) A martini… shaken not stirred.

Wolffer Kitchen is open!

Well here are the results… if you answered “a” to more than three of the questions, you need to hang in Montauk baby.   More than 3 “b” answers you should try East Hampton to Water Mill…. “c” It’s Sag Harbor or Amagansett or Hampton Bays…. and “d” it’s Southampton or Quogue.   If you answered less than 3, leave me alone.  I don’t have all day to write this damn blog.

Finally, what’s the latest buzz in Sag Harbor?  Well the Cuddy has set sail and Wolffer Kitchen has arrived in port.   The soft opening was last night and tonight they’ll be serving food and hopefully lots of Wolffer Rose to keep that Summer Buzz going.   They’ll be unlocking the doors tonight at 5.  I’ll ty to stop by or at the very least get the early reviews to you asap.   If you’re curious about the complete menu… click here.

 

Putting some Zen in Your Yogurt…. and Surfing for Surf Stats!

 

The Hello Kitty Brothel (google the image you’ll understand) in Sag Harbor better known as Yummlicious is getting some new competition.   Located on Main Street in Sag Harbor at the former Well Nest is “Buddha Berry Frozen Yogurt.”   Billing itself as a waffle and coffee bar  the frozen dessert factory features a solid wall full of contemporary and classic flavors from cookies and cream to old fashioned Chocolate chip mint.   There is also plenty gummy bears, chocolate chips and sprinkles to pile on top and put any spoiled Hamptons child into a diabetic shock!   I mean nothing says healthy like frozen yogurt topped with gummy bears and chocolate!   But wait… or should I say weight….  the frozen yogurt is SELF SERVE and they charge you by the weight!!!   This is pure genius that so why mom and dad are busy texting the yoga instructors and trainers, little Veruka and Spalding (after he gets the foot off the boat) can go to town and force their proud parents to pay the tab.      This is like putting free crappy prizes in Frosted Flakes genius!!!     While I can’t say if the yogurts good or bad, I had no patience to have anyone weigh my cookies and cream so you’ll have to go try it yourself.    They also have a zen yogurt garden too!

Trendy surfers form Montauk!
Meanwhile,  I don’t surf and I have no intention to be shark bait anytime in the near future.  But I know plenty of folks that do and its always great running into them on the beach checking the waves. But here’s a question for my friends who enjoy dressing in Neoprene and hopping into the surf; why not just go on line and check out the conditions online Sufline.   Featuring  live web cams from Main Beach and other local surf spots, boarders (do they call themselves that?)  can also get detailed reports on wind, tides and swell conditions.   Now, isn’t that easier than driving all the way to the beach to check on the surf?     OK, now get off your computer and go hang 10.
Get down tonight!   KC and the Sunshine Band!
Ok, now call me cynical but there is an unintentially humorous interview with K.C. of the Sunshine Band fame over on Hamptons.com.    Now I’m not picking on the poor interviewer who did this one, she probably had no idea who was interviewing.   In a nutshell for those of you who don’t know, they had slew of catchy dance hits in the mid 70’s and had a song on the second album B-side of Saturday Night Fever.  The coffee through the nose moment for me when reading this was, “With so much love for music I wondered why it had been so long since his last album?”   REALLY?  Answer:  Demand… It’s not 1977!!   Now comes the part where I’m nice.   I do have KC and the Sunshine band on my 70’s play list on my I pad and I bet the show this weekend at the Ross School will be an absolute blast with some good retro disco dancing.   If you want tickets to go see one of the “most dynamic front men in music” you can get tickets and information here.    So put on your boogie shoes and get going!  Ewww…. Boogie shoes… gross!