real estate.

PROPOSED NEW RULES COULD KILL YOUR PROPERTY VALUES… PLUS, IT’S TIME TO DINE OUTSIDE!

Oh, the drama! All that’s missing is Susan Lucci! East Hampton Town is buzzing with controversy over proposed zoning changes that could shake up property values and development norms. Picture this: the maximum size of swanky single-family homes might get sliced in half, and finished basements and attached garages could be counted in floor area calculations. But hold onto your hats, because this isn’t just about square footage—it’s about power struggles and neighborhood dynamics. While some are cheering for more modest homes and better community standards, others are fretting over the potential impact on property prices and the ability to expand. It’s a real-life soap opera playing out in town halls and public meetings, complete with builders, real estate agents, and lawyers duking it out over the future of East Hampton’s skyline. So grab your popcorn and settle in, because this brouhaha is far from over!

If you want more information about what’s going on and how it could impact you, come to my second Hamptons Homeowners Forum this coming Wednesday at LTV Studios in Wainscott at 6pm. Click here for more details and to reserve your space!

As the Hamptons unfurls its sun-soaked banners, signaling the arrival of the al fresco dining season, it’s like watching a grand theatrical production where the stars of the show aren’t just the chefs but also the seagulls eyeing your seafood platter. Bostwick’s on the Harbor has flung open its doors, beckoning patrons with promises of fresh seafood and sunset views. Rita Cantina in Springs is now ready to spice up your evenings with margaritas and tacos, while Duryea’s in Montauk tantalizes taste buds with the promise of lobster salads galore. But hold onto your sunhats, folks, for Duryea’s in Orient is joining the culinary extravaganza next Thursday, ensuring that no corner of the Hamptons is left untouched by the gastronomic frenzy. And as if that weren’t enough, Beacon in Sag Harbor is gearing up for a grand entrance on the 15th of May, adding another jewel to the crown of Hamptons sunset dining. Finally, with Moby’s set to open its doors on May 22nd, it’s clear that the Hamptons’ dining scene is not just heating up—it’s sizzling and a sign that bumper to bumper traffic is just a breath away.

AMAGANSETT GETS ROWDY.. AND MORE BEACH PERMITS?!


I knew this days ago but didn’t blog. Shame on me. But it was confirmed by the East Hampton Star yesterday. 177 Main Street Amagansett will welcome Rowdy Hall as its new resident. With the building’s sale last year to a investment group, securing the space for just shy of $5 million, anticipation and speculation about a new tenant has been rampant. Now comes word, the Nick and Toni’s sister restaurant plans to make its move after Labor Day, taking over the spot most recently occupied by Main Street Tavern. However, fear not, for Rowdy Hall will continue to serving some of the best burgers in town at its current location throughout the summer. Here’s hoping the same group puts there other eatery La Fondita in its place for a sit down restaurant…. hint, hint, hint guys.

Gettin’ Rowdy!

There’s nothing quite like a day spent lounging on the beach with your toes in the sand and soaking up the sun rays. However, getting to the beach can be stressful, especially if you missed out on the East Hampton Village Non-Resident beach permits. But don’t panic, there is now another option, 2023 Half-Season Non-Resident Beach Parking Permits.

Half-Season Non-Resident 2023 Beach Parking Permits are a fantastic option for anyone who might have missed out on purchasing a full-season parking pass. Yes, we are talking Hamptons prices but it’s still cheaper than getting a parking ticket…. or is it? These permits will only be sold online and will not be available for sale by mail or in person. They will be available for purchase for $500 per half-season, with the first half running from May 15th to July 31st of 2023, and the second half running from August 1st to September 15th of 2023. You can click here to get all the details.

NOT FOR PENNE PINCHERS AND AN OBITUARY ON MAIN STREET.

The New Saint Ambrose…. I mean Sant Ambroeus.

Sant Ambroeus, a popular Italian restaurant chain (with 11 locations it’s a chain – like Olive jardin but with no bread sticks) recently opened their second Hamptons location in East Hampton. The new location is situated at 66 Newtown Lane in the building that was recently sold for a whopping $28 million. I haven’t had a chance to eat there yet, but a few friends did this past weekend and I’ve been hearing all about it. Here’s what people are saying.

On the one hand, people are raving about the cuisine. They say the food is fantastic and the restaurant is quite the scene. On the other hand, they’re not so thrilled about the price tag. “Expensive” is the word I’m hearing most often. A Caesar salad will set you back $28, while a veal chop will cost you a cool $57. Even the clam chowder is a pricey $49. So yes, the food is really good… but it doesn’t come cheap. So think of it this way, it’s the Ticketmaster of Italian food where there’s a service charge to go and be seen.

Even though I didn’t eat in the EH location, I did manage to sneak a peek inside. The interior was redone by the same team that worked on Surf Lodge and Ruschmeyer’s, but it still looks quite similar to the old Babette’s. So, if you liked Babette’s, you’ll probably feel right at home at Sant Ambroeus.

We hardly knew ye’ – Main Street Tavern

Meanwhile, It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Main Street Tavern Amagansett. The restaurant, which opened with a lot of fanfare in July of 2020, was not able to quite catch on and win over the hearts of locals IMHO. It’s unfortunate, but I guess the team behind 11 Madison Park and the always crowded Highway Restaurant were unable to replicate their success with this venture. The building is now up for sale for $5 million. Maybe it will become Indian Wells Tavern again. That would be awesome.

THE ULTIMUTT EVENT THIS WEEKEND!

Walk Your Dogs for a Great Cause in Sag Harbor

For those who don’t know me personally, I’m a major dog lover, and I’m a massive fan of all our local shelters and rescue groups, which gave me my jack russell terrier/beagle mix, Russell, and Bella, my incredibly loud and bark-a-rific malamute/black Lab/Australian cattle dog mix. There are a million rescue organizations to love out there and I love them all (why wouldn’t I?), whether it’s ARF, Last Chance Animal Rescue, Gimmie Shelter, Best Friends—you name it. I’ve also grown very fond of NYC’s No Dogs Left Behind, aka NDLB, which is hosting their inaugural Walk for Awareness Dog-a-Thon starting at 10 a.m. this Saturday, June 19 at Havens Beach (1 Havens Lane) in Sag Harbor. I urge any dog lover or owner who’s able to take part in NDLB’s latest, and local, effort to raise awareness about the reckless slaughtering of dogs in Asia. It must not continue!

SIMBA… Now flying first class and eating at the finest restaurants in Tribeca!

You can register for this one-mile walk starting at 9 a.m. the day of the Dog-a-Thon, or, if you happen to see this today, June 17, register online at nodogsleftbehind.com/dog-a-thon/, where you can also find out how to be a virtual participant. The $50 registration fee goes to the very best of causes, and it will get you admission, an event T-shirt, water and doggie poop bags for your four-legged friends. Tables will also be set up with coffee, pastries, doggie treats and water, raffle baskets, NDLB merch, and even dogs to adopt.

One of my fellow Elliman brokers and friend, Jason Walker from our NYC office, is a very active supporter of NDLB—he’s also the one my Hamptons houseguest that refuses to leave (and I have to turn off the wi-fi), but he’s literally a saint for the world’s canines in need. You may have read (click here) about Jason’s amazing work rescuing large numbers of dogs from China’s barbaric Yulin Lychee and Dog Meat festival, where they are literally butchered and eaten. Among them was his beloved Simba who is now his partner in crime and flies with him everywhere and eats at better restaurants than most of us.

Please join Jason and me, and so many more good-hearted dog supporters, on Saturday. Bella, Russell and I look forward to seeing you!