old stove pub

WHAT’S IN…. WHAT’S OUT… SUMMER ’16 IN THE HAMPTONS! PLUS MIXING,MINGLING AND MORE AT THE OLD STOVE PUB!

Trends may come and go but when it comes to the Hamptons, trends come and go like tissue paper.   So, while it wasn’t that long ago Rick Astley and torn sweatshirts were all the rage here on the east end… shut up, it really was hip not that long ago.   There are new trends that have invaded homes from Westhampton to Montauk this year and lucky for you, I’m here to tell you all about them.     Because as everyone knows… I define what’s cool!   Cool like listening to Barry Manilow at a TGI Friday’s.

In:  Buddhaberry, Sag Harbor – GENIUS!   Self serve frozen yogurt where children young and old can fill up their cups to the rim and pay by the weight!   Yes,  it’s also really good and healthier than ice cream as long as you don’t pile on the Reese’s and gummy bears.    It’s also a scene on weekend nights with more mingling than Tindr.
Out:   Speedway, Wainscott –  Yes, they have Ben and Jerry’s but the melted and refrozen texure just isn’t quite as appealing as it was when Rick Astley ruled the airwaves!
HOT!  Especially the Brazil thing.. but not Zika Brazil!
In:  Havaianas –  Cheap fashionable footwear that says, “Hey, I don’t need no stinkin’ Gucci loafers to look cool.”
Out:  Crocs –   Do I really need to spell it out?   They jumped the shark when you could spot them easily at the Mall of America.
Vineyardvines.com

 

 In:  Vineyard Vines –  Great polo shirts, shorts, t-shirts and more with snappy yet preppy designs that aren’t a ton of money.    There is also a great outlet store at Tanger in Riverhead for those of you who are even cheaper than I am.
Out:  US. Polo Association Polo Shirts  – Ummmmmmmm, We know they’re not Ralph Lauren, so why are you trying to fool us?
 
In:  Bagels from Goldberg’s in Wainscott – Fresh bagels with friendly service and no weird lectures about the state of immigration at the register.   I love this place!
Out:  Thomas’ Bagels from Walbaums in East Hampon – you would have thought I was drowning kittens in the salt water pool when I brought these home a few weeks ago.   I apologize everyone!  It will never happen again!
Old stove pub…

It’s ain’t the Swamp but…..

drinks in the yard!!!
Finally something that hopefully will be very “In” for this summer….  Saturday cocktails at the Old Stove Pub iin Sagaonponack.   Every Saturday from 5-7pm, they’ll be opening their doors to east end members of the LGBT community for a Saturday mixer.  Discount drinks and free passed appetizers will be offered in addition to a chance for great mixing and mingling.   There’s also plenty of parking available and you’ll have the chance to see if anyone with a sense of fashion still wears Crocs.   If they do, I predict they will be shunned!  The Old Stove Pub is located at 3516 Montauk Highway, opposite Town Line Rd.     631-537-3300
See you at Old Stove Pub… Saturdays 5-7pm.

Ralph plays a new game of Polo… Old Stove gets a few searing reviews… plus snapshots from Parish Spring Fling!

Ralph Hampton! Polo’s new street Position
In spite of the Arctic blasts we are currently experiencing, summer prepping is in the air.    One of the more notable changes happening right now is the overhaul of the old Ralph Lauren Rugby store.  If you thought for a second the King of East Hampton would be relinquishing any of his main street real estate, you would be wrong!    It turns out the site will not become a home furnishing store as long suspected but rather a Polo store.    The designer is keeping his location across the street where he’ll continue to sell his higher end wears such as “Purple Label.”   Look for the new POLO store to open by the end of this week!
So just in case you forgot just HOW many stores Ralph owns in town, let’s count these together; the original store, the children’s store, the vintage store and now the polo store… oh and let’s throw in his daughter Dylan’s Candy shop and according to some rumors he actually owns the historic village hall?!?!?    One man single handily keeping the Hamptons economy strong.  The only problem I have with all of this is that it’s not me.  The least he could do is give the whole town a friends and family discount!
Meanwhile,  I’m always looking for a great new place to chow down on the
East End.   Well, recently I said to some friends, “how about the Old Stove Pub in Wainscott?”   Well, after four personal and blistering critiques, my friend Simon said to check out the Yelp reviews for the restaurant.  Normally I have to go to the police blotter in Dan’s to get such entertainment.   So what is the consensus?  I’m now highlighting some of my favorite comments for you.  Now, mind you I’ve not yet been to the new Old Stove Pub and I’m hoping to try it myself sometime before the summer.   Here’s hoping I have a better experience and they get it together.   Now for those too lazy to read their own reviews of the restaurant, the cliff notes version.
“The good-the host was friendly and the spanakopita was fantastic…. The bad they killed the cow twice!”  Krystyna H
“Just close Old Stove Pub, it would make a cute antique shop.”  Scott S.
“I wish there was a choice of zero stars… the veggie side dishes were covered in parsley, after our dinner mate had clearly told the server that we had a major parsley allergy at the table.   Fun times!”   Lisa H.
“How can you serve a salad that is still frozen the center?  It took 2 hours before our food was served.”  Allan G.
“Just before our food arrived they served us one piece of random something in a dish that looked like a pig ear.”   Hampton E.

Wow, I haven’t seen these kind of reviews since Sylvester Stallone did King Lear on Broadway.  Anyway, there’s still time to fix this before the season starts guys.   I’ll see you soon but remember, I didn’t write these reviews!!Meanwhile, the Parish Art Museum held their sold out annual Spring Fling this Saturday.  So I took my camera and snapped a few of the merry makers at the event!

 

Debra Halpert, Christine Curiale

 

Kelly O’Halloran

 

Tommy Hill and Ruth Katz
Ken Wyse, Mary Slattery, Andy Volet, John Leonard
Jim Saladino and Elaine Hammond

 

David Gilmartin, Robin Long

I love “30 Rock” and Alec Baldwin too…. 10 friendliest in the Hamptons!!! Plus Almond has new location!

I’ve been meaning to write this blog for about two weeks. I was reading the NY Post last week (no I don’t pay for it)!and once again harping on Alec Baldwin for claiming residency in the Hamptons. I don’t know why the press has this tendency to be so harsh on him but I can tell you for sure, Alec Baldwin lives in the Hamptons… and yes YEAR ROUND.

You always see him around and he’s very supportive of all things Hamptons. From Guild Hall to Bay Street Theatre to the Hamptons International Film Festival. He dines at the restaurants on Wednesday nights in February when it’s usually two other people in the place. He’s often quiet but never rude and always a gentleman.

I also have a soft spot for him, not just because I love “30 Rock” but also because he did something really kind for a friend of mine’s mother. My college roommate had the misfortune of being onboard the crash of Swiss Air 111. Shortly after the accident his mom was in NY organizing some things when she ran into Mr. Baldwin. He spent almost a half hour chatting her up, making her day and completely unaware of the circumstances. Cheers! You’re a cool guy Alec. There are other celebrities who deserve to be picked on… he’s not one of them.

So this had me thinking. I’ve met a lot of celebrities in my TV days and ton here out in the Hamptons. There were some I liked and some I thought were complete jerks (#1 Mira Sorvino). But the question we’re addressing.. who are the cool and nice celebs in the Hamptons?! Here’s my top 10!

#1 Alec Baldwin… See above!
#2 Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick… SJP because she thought she remembered me and Peter… we never met before. And Matthew Broderick because I saw him smiling to a group on the street one day who kept calling him “Ferris Bullauh!”
#3 Julie Andrews… never met her but she’s Mary Poppins! She has to be nice!
#4 Lorraine Bracco… cool lady, makes great wine and pitches in to help the domestic violence center THE RETREAT!
#5 Matt Lauer… see previous blog about him taking the Polar Plunge!
#6 Jon Bon Jovi…. he goes to spin class and doesn’t grunt and act pompous like a certain annoying, grunting, skinny academy award winner!
#7 Ina Garten…. the coconut cupcakes! Is she nice?! I have no clue.. but did I mention the coconut cupcakes?!
#8 Paul McCartney…. I never met him but always hear good stories about him from all the folks in town. He used to frequent Nichols in East Hampton, although I never saw him there. But I will tell you, I wouldn’t go to Nichols if I were Paul McCartney.
#9 Kelsey Grammer … nice to all at the various charity events. Was seen partying with my mother in law Mimi at the Bay Street Gala a few years ago!
#10 George Stephanopoulos…. why is he here?! Well I saw Good Morning America this morning and I feel bad for him. Add Robin Roberts to the list too. They’re both too talented for such Today show rehash. Also sympathy for having to look at Sam Champion’s International Male outfits at company functions!

Not so nice!? The domestic goddess, the writer of that book where Michael J. Fox starred in the movie… The guy from Watergate and the grammy winner.

FINALLY!!! I have information that Almond formerly of Bridgehampton has a new location! They’ll be going into the old OLD STOVE PUB in Wainscott. My source is highly reliable but it’s not Eric Lemonides the owner. But I trust this source enough to say, drinks are on me if that’s not where it’s going. Apparently after a bid for the very quiet Copa went south.. the new loacation has been found! See you there soon!!!

Tomorrow advice on Valentines Day!