patrick mclaughlin

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

East Hampton puts a colorful best food forward… taco scouting… and some Saturday Night Spring Fever!

It’s been a book store, a toy store and in my head a to-go panini cafe for Sam’s Restaurant!   But alas my dream was not to be and instead we got a colorful new woman’s apparel shop.. Signs are up and construction is under way for a new shop from Jack Rogers USA.   Now I don’t know much about them.  If it isn’t leather or a sneaker, it’s a $10 flip flop on my feet during the summer.    So I did my homework and here’s what I found out about what is billed as colorful footwear at a good price.

According to their website, American in spirit, Jack Rogers was born out of resort style but has evolved into a lifestyle collection of year round pieces.  From the Navajo’s iconic whipstitching and rondelle motif to our full collection of footwear handbags and fashions, out designs exude a confident , born with it sense of style.  They’re the pieces that take you form an afternoon bike ride to evening cocktails and the ones you never forget to pack , where ever your headed.  A pop of color, an unexpected detail, a feeling of coming home… no matter where you are that’s Jack Roger’s.”   AHHHHHHH I feel warm and fuzzy already!  Welcome to the Hamptons Jack Rogers!   I just hope I don’t step on your clients well fashioned toes this summer.  That was a literal not a figurative comment!

Meanwhile, I had a few friends over for dinner last night.  So, I headed to Peter Ambrose’s Hampton Seafood Company in East Hampton.  It wasn’t my first time there but it was an eye opener for me.  I didn’t know this but they have a great to go menu!  I was also thrilled to see they have FISH TACOS on the menu!   Not only were they great, thew were on sale for their “happy hour” menu at a reduced price from 4:30 pm to closing!!! The guys told me the tacos were a Thursday night special so get your butt over there next Thursday and try them!!    If you want you can check out their daily specials on their facebook page.  The location is right on the corner of Railroad Avenue and Race Lane in East Hampton, across from the train station (duh, Railroad Avenue).    Open from 10:30 to 6:30  631-324-9244.

Finally (do I say that every posting?)  if your looking for something to do this Saturday night, I suggest the Parish Art Museum’s Spring Fling!  I’ll be there… but you should go anyway, just ignore me!    At this point, tickets are $225 and less for members but don’t sweat it, it’s all for a good cause!  They’ll have drinks, hors d’oeuvres from Art of Eating and music form Todd Barie Music.  So support culture on the East End, come bid on the great auction items and buy your tickets right here!!!!!!

My head is spinning from this one… and getting your caffeine fix just got easier!!!

They say perception is often more important than reality.   I have to say in the Hamptons this is truer than you know.   I mean I work in real estate for crying out loud!   But truth be told, even the keenest eye (I’m including myself in that one) can be fooled.  Take a look at the video below.  It’s a classic example of something called the McGuirk Effect.    Really it’s cool, trust me and watch this video.  Since it’s named after a street in East Hampton village, I feel it’s totally appropriate for this blog.

Meanwhile, something appears to be brewing in Southampton.  The Hamptons Brewing Company is expanding their empire to a new location (the old Mini Cooper showroom) next to Southampton BMW.   The upside, a new location with great coffee and sinful scones.   Yes, the scones are really that good!    Now, I’ve been told that it’s going to be more of a “coffee experience” location.  Hmmmmm a coffee experience… a java journey… a jaunt with Joe!  I know I’ll stop it now!

The way my source described the new location, gave me visions of The Central Perk coming to the
Hamptons!!  Wow, I can’t wait to hang out with Rachel and Chandler!!!  The only downside.. there won’t be a full kitchen like they have in Water Mill.   I have to admit, it’s a recent discovery for me to go to the Hampton Coffee Company for lunch but I had a great experience and a fantastic breakfast burrito there.     But hey, you can’t have everything, right?!

Put down the cookie! There’s 40 some odd days till Memorial Day!

You bought the beach pass, you have the Vilebrequin, the Herve Legere and the Birkin.    It’s official you’re ready to hit the beach, as long as you don’t have to pass a mirror first.  Yeah, all of those holiday cookies, turkey, ham, brisket and chocolates have finally taken their toll.    Well have no fear, I’ve done the research for you and if you’re willing to put on your sneakers you’ll be looking like Keira Knightly after a juice cleanse in no time!

It wasn’t that long ago when a new spin studio that I can’t remember it’s name (unless I read one of my old postings) opened and disappeared faster than the free food at a real estate brokers open house.   This time around Westhampton Beach’s CrossFit Hamptons is going into the location.    I stopped by the other day and apparently  classes are already underway.  If you want more details on times and class schedules you can visit their website.   www.cfhamptons.com   If you mention P-11 for some reason they’ll even give you a free week.

Also, some of your old favorites are back and ready for the Summer of ’13.    I’m getting tired so I’m just going to give you the lowdown on some of the more popular places to work up a sweat on the east end.  In no particular order…..
1) SOULCYCLE – 68 Newtown Lane, East Hampton.   The funky spin classes that you can hear on the street are back again for another season.   www.soul-cycle.com
Best Reason to Go – It’s one heck of a workout and the instructors are more like coaches than drill seargents.
Reason Not to Go – Cult like following.  Friends of mine talk about SoulCyle like it’s the Scientology of fitness and that just scares me.
2) FLYWHEEL – 65 Montauk Highway, East Hampton next to the bowling alley.  Also in the Summers at Sag Harbor Gym, 1 Bay Street Sag Harbor.   This is the place with “stadium” bikes where they post your workout on a monitor for all to see.  So if you’re looking for mellow workout this isn’t where you want to go. www.flywheelsports.com
Best Reason to Go – A great work out and some good celebrity spotting at virtually every class.
Reason Not to Go – They post your work out on a monitor and that’s not fun when you’re trying to sweat out the alcohol from the night before!
3) B East – 199 Main Street, Amagansett.   Call it spinning with a twist or an angle.  B East features “core bikes” which actually turn and twist to give you more of a workout.   I have to admit, they’re a little scary at first for the uncoordinated like moi but if you just relax you’ll eventually get the hang of it.   www.eastfit.com
Best Reason to Go –  A more casual and fun atmosphere.  Not everyone there is in Lululemon!
Reason Not to Go – It’s next to Mary’s “friggin” Marvelous!  A workout doesn’t count if you have the amazing tuna salad followed by a coconut cupcake chaser after the class.  Screw the class I’m hungry!
4) Barry’s Bootcamp – 352 Montauk Highway, Wainscott. Now I’ve never been but they have locations everywhere from London to LA.  According to their website “Since 1998, Barry’s Bootcamp has revolutionized group fitness by delivering “The Best Workout in the World” to a legendary following, including many celebrities.”   Their gyms also feature “night club lighting, urban décor.”  Hmmmmmm… I’m not so sure about that last part.    www.barrysbootcamp.com
Best Reason to Go –   Easy parking in the Wainscott shopping center.
Reason Not to Go – It’s a boot camp!!!
Finally, everyone has been talking about those two Wall Street guys that were stupid enough to leave notes trying to cut out the broker after being shown properties out east.   Do you really think this is the first time this has happened?