real estate.

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! 

MORE GRUB TO GO!

So, I just have to add a few more restaurants to this list. I’m seriously sick of sitting home but these folks are making it a little easier.

CURBSIDE…. easy to go at Cove Hollow Tavern!

Cove Hollow Tavern – East Hampton Available Thursday to Monday 5:00-8:00 pm. Make sure you try one of the Rice Bowls (chicken, tofu or firecracker shrimp) or their famous Linguini with Mushroom Bolognese. Along with Fresno, they also have some of THE BEST French Fries. Click here for more details or call 631-527-7131 x 4.

Nick & Toni’s – East Hampton Available Wednesday to Sunday 5:00-9:00pm. While the Zucchini Chips are not on the menu, the Caesar Salad, Roasted Chicken with Pancetta and Yukon Roasted Potatoes and the Roasted Market Catch are ready to go. Click here for details or call 631-324-3550.

The Best Pot Pie EVER!

Highway Restaurant and Bar – Wainscott Available Thursday to Monday 5-8pm. They’re cooking the CHICKEN POT PIE to go! They’re also serving what they call LARGE FORMAT TAKE AWAY. There’s more on the menu but if you don’t get the CHICKEN POT PIE (I always get it when available with a Caesar Salad)… Your loss. Click here for details or call 631-527-5372

Coche Comedor – Amagansett Available Wednesday to Sunday 4:00 pm-8:00 pm. With a hybrid menu from Coche and La Fondita you can host a fiesta right in your living room. Tacos, Chips and Guacamole and Pork Rib Carnitas are all available plus salads and sides. Click here for more or call 631-267-5709.

Finally for the more ambitious…

Bobby Vans – Bridgehampton Available daily for dinner 3:00-8:00 pm. Something called Chef Johnny’s Butcher Shop will allow you to get your dinner with all the sides from Creamed Spinach to Soup Du Jour along with an uncooked , preseasoned Filet Mignon, Beef Burger, Lamb Chop or Chicken Breast. Click here or call 631-537-0590.

Ok Everyone! Mangia!