peter ambrose

AFTER A POULTRY START FORMER BREADZILLA HAS CHEF PETE AMBROSE RULING THE ROOST! PLUS IT’S TIME FOR A SPRING FLING!

Big news for foodies and “dagwood” lovers! Peter Ambrose Catering is flipping the script at the site of the old Breadzilla, now affectionately dubbed “that place that used to be Breadzilla.” After the old location went to the birds with its stint as The Chicken Place, it’s getting a savory upgrade with SOFO Sandwich Company, set to open in early May. Expect a hero-ic menu featuring gourmet sandwiches like a real Cajun muffaletta, pulled chicken that’ll make you wing with delight, lobster rolls and Cubano creations so good, you’ll think you’re in Havana. Don’t miss the coffee-rubbed smoked beef and the fresh daily turkey, sure to make your taste buds flock. They’ll also have daily selections of sweets from Dorothy’s Bake Shop. Visit them after May 15th at 84 Wainscott NW Rd and see what everyone will be squawking about!

Peter Ambrose Catering seems to be everywhere these days, and this time they’re bringing the heat—even if the weather isn’t—at the Parrish Art Museum’s 2024 Spring Fling. This benefit event, set for Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 7:30 to 11 PM, celebrates the work of Simón Vega and raises funds to support the museum’s education programs, public initiatives, and Access Parrish. The $250 ticket ($200 for members) gets you in the door, but you’ll want to snag yours before May 2, 2024, because prices jump to $300 after that date. Attendees can expect a culinary feast from Peter Ambrose, paired with wine from Dry Farm Wines, beer from Kidd Squid Brewing Co., and signature cocktails from Cocktails & Dreams. With art, music, and delicious bites, the Spring Fling promises to be a night to remember—rain or shine!

Click here to get your tickets now!

HAMPTONS DINING IN THE TIME OF CORONOVIRUS!!

If you’re like me social distancing is starting to take a toll.   I’ve been cleaning my house and now I swear I’ve turned into a Hamptons gay Erma Bombeck or Prymate Conehead.  I hate housework, I hate cooking and I have nothing against a glass of wine at 12:01 pm.  In fact, I’m ready to throw in the towel with all of this domestic shit but I know that only means I’ll end of washing it.

But before I sound like I’m totally hausfrau, I want you to know I have a new attitude.  Kinda like Patti Labelle but with less dramatic hair.    I’m not cooking.  That’s right I’m not eating out but thanks to a few local folks who are braving the world to open their kitchens I can enjoy my meals again.    Seriously, this is great and I give these folks credit.   We all need to support local businesses in these troubling times.   So, get online or pick up the phone and order food to go from one these amazing places.  Besides you really don’t want another Stouffer’s lasagna anyway.

Roasted Cauliflower at Lulu

Lulu Kitchen and Bar – Sag Harbor – Available Wednesday to Sunday 3-8pm.   Make sure you try the Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Beef Bourguignon and the amazingly great freshly baked baguettes.   Click here for details or call 631-725-0900.

Page at 63 Main – Sag Harbor – Available Thursday to Tuesday 4:30-7:30 pm.   The dishes to order are the 5 Cheese Mac-n-Cheese and the Braised Beef Short Ribs.    I only wish the Coconut Cake was on the current menu!!!!    Click here for more information or call 631-725-1810

Fresno’s Salmon Tartare

Fresno Restaurant – East Hampton – Available Thursday through Monday 5:00-7:30pm with last orders taken at 7.    Make sure you try the Roasted Chicken Breast with Haricot Vert and Mashed… my go to feel good dish.  Also, I love the Pan Seared Salmon (also the Tartare) with cous-cous and buerre blanc.    Oh and make sure you get a side of the fries.  THEY MAKE SOME OF THE BEST FRENCH FRIES IN THE HAMPTONS.  Yes, there are some fries that are better than others!   Click here for details or call 631-324-8700

East Hampton Grill – East Hampton – Take out hours vary but open for lunch and dinner.   The Heavenly Biscuits, The Crispy Chicken Po-Boy and BBQ Ribs all travel well and are three of the most popular items on their menu.    Beer and wine are also available to go.  Click here for details or call 631-329-6666.

Peter Ambrose’s dinner of the day!

Events by Peter Ambrose – Sag Harbor – If you want something a little different try this service that offers different family style meals every day.   They’ll deliver right to your doorstep for $25.00 per person with a minimum of 2 + tax and delivery.   Some of Pete’s upcoming dishes are Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Mushroom Sauce and Roasted Turkey Breast with Dijon Aioli and pan gravy.   Click here for complete menu and more details or call 641-334-3090.

A Toast for Tacos…. Plus, Hamptons Hostility 2014!

For those who know me, thanks for your well wishes.   Sorry the blog takes a back seat to life but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.    So now that let’s get back to the “Chatter.”

Well traffic is terrible, temperatures and tempers are rising and the Hamptons is now entering into what I affectionally call “Seasonus Horribus.”  But while some folks find this time of year a bit challenging others relish in the chaos.      Yes, there are folks who miss the city and are pining away… and not the kind with sap… for a little hostility and confrontation.   Yes, it’s the 2014 edition of Hamptons Hostility!!!   The top 5 places where you can be as nasty as you want to be and where a middle finger is just another way of saying hello!  So here in my humble opinion, are the top five nastiest locations for this year….

1) 7-11 Manorville –  While technically not in the Hamptons, it’s definitely a ritual stop for more than a few city dwellers on their way out east.   My experience involved the doubling of coffee cups and the managers instance that I pay and additional $0.50!  “But sir, the sleeve doesn’t prevent the cup from getting crushed in the cars cup holder.”   So, while the manager didn’t care for my explanation and threw me more attitude than Lizzy Grubman in a parking lot (you would have thought I dropped a 2 gallon Big Gulp on the floor) I left both cups on his counter.   Fifty cents for an extra cup, really?!  That is extortion in my opinion and not nice.   I’m now doing my stops at the Cumberland Farms.

2) The intersection of CR39A and Rt 27! – The place where allowing a car to merge in front of you is as welcome as a root canal or IRS audit!  It’s also totally racist where German sedans have no tolerance for American hybrids or trucks (and vice versa).    I could tell you the way to avoid this area but why would I want to ruin my good thing!!!

Yes, I know this is the one in Riverhead!

3) CVS Pharmacy (Southampton & East Hampton) – It’s the Motor Vehicles of pharmacies!   While I have no complaints about the general staff, you know the human cashiers etc.   The pharmacy has long lines and an indifferent staff that really gets annoyed with questions.   But if that wasn’t enough,  try to deal with their automated phone system!   Lord help you if you need an Epi pen in a hurry!

4) Cavinola’s Cheese Shop (Sag Harbor)- Yes, apparently Ina Garten thinks this shop is the big cheese..  but I think it’s more tres fromage! The selection is actually extensive and good but please don’t dare question the prices.  When I made the mistake of grimacing at one particular price, I got an annoyed response of “then don’t buy it.”   Wow, that was nice!  So guess what… I didn’t …..and that cheese stood alone!   I then took a quick trip to Schivoni’s who also has a great selection for a fraction of the price!    I mean, I shop at Round Swamp Farm so I’m not afraid of prices but at least be friendly!  What do I need to bring a camera crew!?

 

5) Nick & Toni’s (the bar) – This is not about the restaurant or the employees.  It’s about the patrons who sit at the bar.   If you spend any time in the Hamptons there are going to be nights when nobody is around and you want to go out and mingle and have some dinner.  Well if you’re sitting at the bar at N&T’s bring a book.     The atmosphere there is so chilly you’ll feel like a Kardashian walking into the  Maidstone Club.  But hey, sometimes you wanna go where (signing the “Cheers” theme) “nobody wants to know your name.

Honorable Mention:  Rushmeyer’s in Montauk.   The perfect place to hang if you’re going out on daddy’s credit card.     It’s like “Logan’s Run” meets the Hamptons.

I’ve been whining with my Sancerre for years now about the state of Mexican cuisine here in the Hamptons.      While we still don’t have a decent sit down restaurant (yes, I revisited Blue Parrot one more time, it was awful and expensive -$20 burrito with what I’m pretty sure was microwaved chicken) that serves a full south of the border menu we do have another entry into the good… actually really good food to go category.   Formerly of the Wainscott Seafood shop, chef Peter Ambrose has taken his successful Endless Summer brand and opened a new taco shop at the home of the former “Food and Co.”
“Pete’s Endless Summer Taco Shop” is a welcome addition to east end cuisine.    The menu which features his famous fish tacos, along with such delicacies as braised duck, nori brined applewood barbecue chicken (which blew me away… really good) and vegan selections is fairly basic but full of gourmet varieties of the Mexican treats.    There are no fajitas or burritos on the menus but there’s plenty here to choose from and at a really reasonable prices, especially for the Hamptons.     Prices start at $5 per taco or 3 for $13-$16 and make this easy to go down.   Fries, salads, fresh guacamole and home made grilled tomato salsa are also available.    If you want more information go to www.peterambrose.com or call them at 631-527-5515.    Pete’s Endless Taco Shop is located at 283 Pantigo Road, East Hampton.   Also make sure to try the deserts from Jennifer Corzzo… delicious!

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!!!!!!