real estate.

“Tacos Fold, Traffic Flips, and Gurney’s Gets gigi-fied: Just Another Week in the Hamptons”

El Taco Bar going back to the burgers!

Just a few short seasons ago, El Taco Bar in Sag Harbor salsa’d onto the scene with a flurry of fanfare, promising handmade tortillas, curated cocktails, and “authentic Mexican cuisine” courtesy of Chef Laurent Tourondel. But now? The only thing sizzling is the rumor mill. Despite signs on the door boldly declaring they’ll be back this spring, brown paper over the windows tells a different story—the first clue that a makeover is clearly underway. And spoiler alert: it’s not a fresh coat of lime paint. Word on the street is that El Taco is folding faster than a soft-shell tortilla and making way for an revamped —LT Burger (not sure if they’re actually keeping the name). Yep, they’re shelving the tacos and tequila and going back to burgers and fries. It’s a full circle moment, or should we say a full patty comeback. Apparently, they couldn’t taco the pressure. Forgive me while I add one final comment on this makeover, maybe add some smiles to the staff and management.

More food news: Gurney’s Montauk is shaking things up this summer with the debut of not one, but two new dining spots. Coming early summer 2025, they’ll unveil gigi’s montauk—yes, all lowercase, because it’s casual but make it fancy. Billed as their new flagship, gigi’s promises New-American fare where “coastal charm meets seasonal innovation” and menus inspired by the sea and local ingredients. Meanwhile, a more laid-back café called Dune will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner—perfect for post-beach bites or a pre-spa latte. But while Gurney’s is riding the rebranding wave, it’s hard to ignore the fact that Scarpetta, once their culinary crown jewel, has since taken up very stylish residence at the Maidstone Inn in East Hampton. Will gigi’s make the same splash? Or is it just another tide rolling in? Time—and reservations—will tell.

Get ready, Hamptons commuters—traffic on County Road 39 is about to get a major remix. Starting Monday, April 21, and running for two weeks, Southampton Town is rolling out a bold traffic experiment. From 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, key intersections between North Main Street and Sunrise Highway will be switching things up: think blinking yellows, steady greens, and absolutely no left turns. That’s right—cross traffic and left turns at Sandy Hollow, Magee, and Tuckahoe Roads are getting the red light (literally), all in the name of easing the eastbound crawl. Police will be out in full force—on the ground and in the air, thanks to drones—making sure no one pulls a sneaky U-turn. If you live on a side street, brace yourself: you’ll need to plan alternate routes and make peace with the right turn. The hope? A smoother, faster commute. The reality? We’ll see and it’s ONLY APRIL!

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.