patrick mclaughlin

If you’re bored…. why not toast the locally grown!? Plus, after 63years… Saying Goodbye to some Good Friends (ok, dog years!).

Guys, the chill is in the air the crowds are dwindling and it’s now my favorite time of the year in the Hamptons, September!  The water is warm, the pool is open and Gwyneth Paltrow is no longer in town.    The early fall is our secret… although I willing to share it with anyone who will buy a house from me…. hint!   But while I keep the secret about fall on the east end, I will tell folks about some ideas to keep themselves entertained.

This Thursday night Page Restaurant in Sag Harbor is hosting a Farm to Table dinner or as my dyslexic mind and mouth often say, “Table to Farm.”    Anyway, it’s a 7 course dinner featuring local farmer

www.page63main.com

Dave Falkowksi better known as the “mushroom man” (no you degenerate, not those kind of mushrooms) and organic wines from Channing Daughters Winery in Bridgehampton!    Speakers from both the winery and farm will be there to speak about the various courses and wines.   It’s a great way to learn a little bit about agriculture, eat some cool food and mingle with some great wines!

The cost is $65 for the dinner and $85 with wine pairing.   For more details or to make reservations go to www.page63main.com or call 631-725-1810.
The Hampton Pet Club in happier times!
Meanwhile, I’m shedding tears as I type this blog.   In fact, I just short circuited my keyboard with tears!!! Johnny 5 is not alive!!   Sad news… After close to 10 years in business and becoming a virtual member of my family the Hampton Pet Club is closing it’s doors at the end of the month.     After several attempts to keep the biscuits, baths and barking flowing Bella, Russell and Boo’s doggy day care providers have lost their lease.   According to sources the club will shutter its doors at the end of the month.   I know I’ll miss Jason Neimark and his crew; Todd, Rhonda, Caroline and the rest!    I don’t want to go into details because I don’t know them all but I can tell you, I don’t like the landlord of the said building!   Jason took what was once a lousy location and made a thriving business through his hard work and obvious affection for each and every dog!  Guys, I wish you all well and hope something happens to keep you all here, we’ll all miss seeing you!
In the meantime, if anyone knows of a good dog sitter and place for the kids …. er I mean dogs.. to hang…. Please let me know!

The Hamptons… We’re Not as Expensive as You Think!

One of the biggest complaints I hear about the Hamptons is that it’s “expensive.”   While it’s a valid complaint when you consider things like the “lobster salad” at Loaves and Fishes (Loans and Finances) with it’s hefty $80+/lb price tag, for the most part we’re not that much different than any other seasonal beach resort.   I’m here to make you feel HAPPY about living on the East End.  Things are expensive in nearly all resort towns and here are that stats to prove it.    Just know I didn’t pick any crazy overpriced outlets, this is a legit comparison.  It’s very scientific statistical analysis too and I should know, I took Stats #202 twice!

Beach Picnic w/ Lobster:
Seafood Shop – Wainscott    $45/person  –  includes lobster, some corn and a few other sides.
Clam Bake to Go – Martha’s Vineyard MA. $38/Person – includes lobster , some corn and a few other sides.
Now, that isn’t too crazy a difference is it?!  But then again, we’re not comparing this to say Seaside Heights NJ.  I mean, let’s not go overboard!
Sam’s Pizza…. pizzzzzzaaaaaaaaaa.
Pizza:
Sam’s Restaurant – East Hampton – $20.50 for a 16″ pepperoni pizza.
Panzone’s Pizza – Beach Haven, LBI – NJ – $19.90 for a 16″ peperoni pizza.
I could have done a comparison here of say Little Caesar’s… but once again pizza-pizza should be compared to pizza-pizza.   Sam’s only serves pizza.  I’m really trying to keep this comparison fair.
Oceanfront Home:
5 Bedroom Oceanfront Home with pool – Longport NJ – $6,595,000 asking price over 5000 s/f
5 Bedroom Oceanfront Home with pool – Southampton (Meadow Lane) -$28,000,000 asking price for over 5000 s/f
Killing property values???
Ok, so when it comes to everything but housing, the Hamptons are a bargain.  As long as you don’t go anywhere too nice, or too expensive and don’t need a place to live!   We’re just like everyone else!  We’re just like small town America, except we have Tiffany, a zillion Ralph Lauren stores, Saint Ambrose and Gwyneth Paltrow.    All we need now is a Wal-Mart!
Finally it’s the home stretch folks, a few days left till Tumbleweed Tuesday.  But guess what I’m already searching for 2014 seasonal rentals.  Seriously!

A Brouhaha at the Beaches in Amagansett and a Cure for Round Swamp Farm’s Cinnamon Buns… well sort of!

VERBOTTEN!

Those oft over-the top folks in “Amagainsit” are at it again.  Fearing that the guest of a guest, share house, booze-swilling Saturday afternoon fedora crowd would drift east from Indian Wells due to parking lot restrictions and an increased police presence, the Beach Hampton homeowners association sent out an early summer warning to members.

That beach access would be restricted to members in good standing with the Dunes home owner’s association (i.e. residents and their tenants ).
OK. We’re good so far.  While we won’t consult our Hamptons Chatter legal department just yet about their legal right to restrict access they have begun stationing “monitors” at various beach access points.  (although when we googled “lawsuit beach public access” it appears the folks in Amagansett are walking a very shaky and fine line).

This summer, clipboard carrying Studio 54 type bouncers have been checking to make sure not only if beach goers are from the right part of town, they’re also making sure everyone is ponied up with his or her Homeowners Association Dues.    But what if you landlord has paid the dues… you want to go to beach but the bouncer says “no you didn’t.”   Well that’s exactly what has been happening.  Apparently this is becoming more and more of a problem with rental tenants lugging their wares to the beach only to be turned back!!! I don’t know the whole deal here but I’m just predicting this is going to blow up before the end of the summer.

Meanwhile here in the Hamptons we’ve got more than our fair share of famous culinary and home making genius’.      There’s of course Martha Stewart…. there’s Ina Garten (who I like even though she and Jeffrey have yet to invite me  over) … and now there’s ANKE.   In keeping with the  summer of healthy eating I want to tell you Anke’s Fit Bakery and her stuff is awesome.   I’ve also been discussing this around town, and I’m hearing similar stories from other agents whose summer tenants are being subjected to random shakedowns in The Dunes.    Perhaps this is just all a bunch of misunderstandings but bouncers on the beach?!!!   Stay tuned.

 

 

Shunning refined flour for her baked goods, Anke uses spelt flour, whole oats and other organic ingredients because, “Ingestion of refined flours elevates the potential for heart disease, stroke, cancer and obesity.  The health risks can be reduced by using whole grain flours instead of refined flours.”  My personal favorite is Anke’s Chocolate Loaf cake make with coco and a bunch of good stuff.   But you would never know it, I would swear it’s Entenmann’s!    Marie Claire, Tracy Anderson, the East Hampton Star and a bunch of other publications will attest to the fact I speak the truth.   So check out the website or go visit Anke at the Sag Harbor Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.  You and your gut wont’ regret it!!!  Now, back to the treadmill!

Skip Spin Class and Instead Hit the Pavement for a Good Cause!!!!

It’s the worlds largest free fitness class.  Well sort of…  I’m just encouraging everyone to take part in a great event that’s a great work out,  raises money for a great cause and will make you feel great.   This is the alternative to running to an overcrowded fitness class or gym that’s all about YOU.  Now, don’t you feel guilty?  Good you should.   So, I’m going to tell you how to feel better about yourself again.  

Ellen’s run will be celebrating it’s 18th year of leading the fight against breast cancer on the East End with it’s annual race/walk on starting at 9 a.m. on Sunday, August 18th.    So rather than just being all about YOU again…. help raise money for the Ellen Hermanson Breast Foundation.   Started by Julie Ratner in honor of her sister Ellen who lost her battle with the disease, the foundation has become one of the most prominent and pro-active organizations for women’s health in the Hamptons.   Recently I sat down with Julie to discuss the start of Ellen’s Run and the work of the Foundation.  

If embedded code isn’t working try this link!