real estate. – Page 3 – Hamptons Chatter

SOULCYCLE GETS A NEW NEIGHBOR IN WATER MILL! YOU KNOW IT’S SUMMER WHEN….

June 12, 2019

In what’s probably one of the better business moves this summer, Sag Harbor staple Provisions will be adding another location at the former site of Citerella in Water Mill shopping center.

A smart move considering every Saturday and Sunday, the area swarms with Lululemonites loitering after the SoulCycle classes next door. Which means getting a green juice or smoothie just got a lot easier!! Thank the lord…. or at least the owners of Provisions. If you’ve never been to Sag Harbor location, it’s probably one of the best natural food markets anywhere and the organic cafe is always packed!! According to highly placed sources (the guy at the cash register yesterday), the Water Mill location will be opening sometime in Mid-July. While I’m sure it will swamped like their other location, they may want to burn some sage to be safe. It couldn’t hurt to clean some of the possible bad juju that sunk Citarella (in that location), Avanti market (which I loved), West Elm and Blockbuster video (damn you streaming video!)! Anyway, you can check out their website by clicking here for more details.

Well, the calendar says it’s June and the summer season is defintiely upon us. But like the traffic jams on 27 and the blooms of the rhodaden… Roudaden….. Rhodamorgenterns… errrr… RHODODENDRON (like you know how to spell it?) there are other signs that that it’s that time of year in the Hamptons! Here are a few that I always look for…

Wolffer Vineyards becomes the Pumpkin Town of warm weather on Friday Nights! Screaming kids, parents that ignore them, jazz music and cars lining up and down the highway…. all with Summer in a Bottle… it’s beach living at it’s finest!

People are constantly asking every store, restaurant, real estate office and bank for their wifi password! Cell service sucks in the Hamptons…. we all know it. It’s even suckier in the summer! Period. Listen I get it…. it’s isolating and frustrating. But maybe this summer we can try checking our social media accounts when we get home people!? Nahhhh. I hate talking to people in person too!

There’s a stranded German luxury car on the beach! If you drive two days a week for 12 weeks a year, maybe getting a Range Rover or Merced Audibeach9 es G-Class isn’t such a great Mercedeesbeach idea (also other people need parking spaces too!) Try starting with something smaller and easier to handle and perhaps watertight like a VW bug. Just because you have 4 wheel drive doesn’t mean your car is good for beach driving, especially as the high tide is coming!

Restaurant Managers get Amnesia! If you’ve ever seen the movie “What’s Up Doc,” you’ll remember the scene where Madeline Kahn gets dragged out of a banquet by her heels when her fiance says “I’ve never seen this woman before in my life.” Well that’s how more than a few of us feel this time of year when we head out to eat on weekend night. Ummm, I’m the guy who comes in every Monday in October and April and I’m the only one in the place?! Patrick?! No!? Grrrrrr.

Anyway, enough complaining…. I’m loving the warm weather, the calls from my long lost relatives and paying double for everything! It’s summer in the Hamptons everyone!!! Party on!

ClIFFS NOTES FOR HAMPTONS DINING!

April 29, 2019April 29, 2019

Spring has sprung here in the Hamptons. The crocus have bloomed, the trees have buds and new restaurants are popping up everywhere. But before I go into what’s new, let’s talk about what is no longer around. Let’s bow our heads for a moment of silence and say something kind about a few of the shuttered establishments.

Old Stove Pub-They really knew how to kill a cow twice.

Hudson Blue Crab House – They employed a lot of people in witness protection.

EMP Summer House – I always knew who was there every minute… thanks Instagram.

Bay Burger – The Jazz nights were very jazzy.

The Princess Diner – It was better than prison food.

Now onto the brighter side of things. There are more than a few new restaurants coming to the east end this summer. One bit of news is that we’ll have not one but TWO new Mexican restaurants coming to town. One is from the folks at Nick and Toni’s and La Fondita. It’s called Coche Comedor and from what I read on Edible East End, it’s going to be amazing. You can read the details by clicking here. Although, they said they were opening in April, my “sources” tell me it’s actually opening later this week which believe it or not is MAY! I’m sure it will be great and besides I’ve always been a fan of Commodores (especially with Lionel).

The other Mexican is an upgrade from La Superica in Sag Harbor. I actually liked the food at Superica but found

The Old Honest Diner is now Coche Comedor

the party atmosphere (which often included the staff) a little frustrating and too much for even this hipster. Anyway, the folks from Sen in Sag Harbor are upping the ante, renovating and hoping to open K-Pasa by this memorial day. The Sag Harbor Express broke the big news back in February but the clever name was just announced recently. K-Pasa…. Get it!?!?! Personally I would have preferred if it were named “Tequila Mockingbirds” or “Taco bout It” or “Guacstar” or … Ok, I’ll stop. You can read more about by clicking the link to the article here.

But enough about Mexican, this is the Hamptons…. where is the seafood? Well for those who like to have their fish and filet it too there will be Ed’s Lobster Bar in Sag Harbor. Going into the slot formerly occupied by Bay Burger on Sag Harbor-Bridgehampton Turnpike. The building will be refitted to resemble a sea side cottage and feature both indoor and outdoor seating. My idea was to keep it Bay Burger but add roller skating waiters and have trays for the car window. But hey there’s a reason I’m not in the restaurant business. Apparently Ed’s is a big deal in SOHO and they’ll be bringing the same cool vibe to here in the Hamptons. If you want more details, you can read more about Ed’s in 27 East by clicking here.

Finally, some major switcharooing in East Hampton. Hold your hats for this one…. The folks behind Bay Kitchen in East Hampton which used to be Bostwick’s are heading to the site of the former Princess Diner in Southampton. The new establishment will be

Silver Linings — The Princess has left the diner!

called Silver Lining Diner. The menu will be a bit more upscale than your average diner and you can read more about it here. Ok, are you following me? So, now the place that was Bay Kitchen for the past few years and The Boat House before that will become Bostwick’s once again! Meanwhile, Bostwick’s which is currently on Rt. 27 at the former Snow Flake will stay put and remain Bostwick’s Chowder House. So you’ll have two Bostwick’s to choose from this summer.

Oh and one last thing, if you’ve driven by the site of the former Agave, Mercado and Hudson Blue Crab House you may have noticed there has been some renovating going on. Rumor has it they’ll soon be reopening as the Gawanus Canal Lobster Company! Just kidding, I’m not actually sure what’s going on but I heard a new restaurant will be going in the spot, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also, Michael’s restaurant in Springs is relocating to the site of their other location known as The Blend on Three Mile Harbor Rd, East Hampton.

That’s all folks.

ITCHING FOR MORE LOCAL PRODUCTS? FORGET THE FLEA MARKET! 3 LOCAL GOTTA BUYS!

March 18, 2019

It’s not as glamorous as it sounds but I was recently driving back from Philadelphia to the Hamptons. I know, I know… the Outerbridge Crossing is New Jersey’s answer to the Pacific Coast Highway. But alas, I’m straying off point. While taking said drive I stopped at the Long Island Visitors Center in Dix Hills which in case you didn’t know is the first non-disgusting place to stop after Trenton. It’s also the home of a little store called “A Taste of NY.” The store features all locally made foods and products from area farm, vineyards and bakeries. This had me thinking, while we all know about the bigger local products like Tate’s Cookies and Wolffer wines. There are some other great local products that you might have missed. Lucky for you, I’m here to share a few of my favorites.

Vine Street Cafe’s Mushroom Bolognese Sauce – A hearty alternative for your vegan dinner guests, this stuff is just as good as visiting the restaurant. Seriously, this is not like buying Emeri’s stuff which is more like Ragu with a different label! I’ve always loved this dish at the restaurant and this is pretty close to dining out. While VSC has other sauces including a basic tomato and vegetable to go, this one is IMHO the winner. It doesn’t taste like a real bolognese (sausage, veal, etc.) but it is rich, hearty and doesn’t make you feel like you’re missing anything. It’s thick rich and awesomely flavorful. The sauce retails for about $12.00 and you can buy it at Vine Street on Shelter Island, Cove Hollow Tavern in East Hampton, Harbor Market in Sag Harbor or order it online by clicking here.

Nounos Greek Yogurt – Real greek yogurt made right here in Southampton! Don’t let the fancy packaging intimidate you, this is like a trip to Mykonos without the hangover or Lindsay Lohan. This stuff is incredibly rich, flavorful and it’s low-fat! Nounos according to their website is all natural, hormone and anti-biotic free. If you’re going to try one, I suggest the blueberry blend or mixed berry. You might have seen Nounos around town in places like the Golden Pear but probably didn’t know it’s local. Well it is and it’s good and you need to try it. A 5+ ounce container retails for about $4.00. If you don’t see it around town you can visit their website to find local sellers.

Hamptons Salt Company Black Truffle – When I was growing up my Lithuanian Grandmother used to love to cook for me. I always wonder if she actually liked me based on her stew. She would cook for my family more than I cared to admit and food had two flavors, salted or really salted. Anyway, real chefs know the

seasoning is as important as

the actual cooking and there is nothing more crucial than the salt. I discovered this stuff at Red Horse Market in East Hampton and it was love first shake. My personal favorite recipe is slightly blanched brussel sprouts covered with a light olive oil and the Hamptons Salt Company Black Truffle seasoning. Awesomeness! They also have a variety of salts including rosemary,

ghost pepper and even lime. Prices range from about $10 for a basic sea salt to $29 for the truffle. If you want more information or where you can buy HSC click here.

So now you know why I haven’t blogged in a long time. I’ve been cooking…. and eating. Now time to hop on the Peloton and burn off all the extra calories. Hopefully I’ll be back again soon.

MIDWINTER BLUES?!

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

I know we’re all counting the days till spring. But if you can’t shake the cold in your bones you might as well celebrate it. That’s why Sag Harbor’s annual “Harbor Frost” is a welcome event during these cold weather doldrums. Some of the events include a culinary stroll, art exhibits, live music, fireworks and of course the annual “Frosty Plunge.” This is not to be confused with a “polar bear plunge” which happened earlier this year. One involves sun starved adults and teens jumping into frigid waters for two seconds so they can take selfies and tell their friends. The other involves sun starved adults and teens jumping into frigid waters for two seconds so they can take selfies and tell their friends. If you want more details on Harbor Frost click here. If your curious about how much Hampton folk love their cold water plunges, take a look at the video below from the East Hampton New Year’s Polar Plunge.

So, if you’re like me … winter is the perfect time for binge watching and seeing all the movies you never had a chance to catch at the theatre. But if you’ve been suckered like me into upgrading

to the new “Altice” cable system, you’ve been cursing and screaming more than binging and drooling. The new “higher tech” system that was formerly known as Optimum sounds great. Each box is a router which you can pause and rewind shows. There’s also more storage on the DVR that actually can be controlled with voice recognition. It all sounds great! If it works! It doesn’t. The boxes are constantly frozen, the DVR rarely works and the whole “router” thing is a complete joke! I’m not saying it’s a complete flop but I’m tempted to go to one cable box and do the rest via Amazon Firestick or Google Chrome. The ironic thing is I also had a chance to chat with a few of their own employees on the street and even they said the new system is filled with bugs.

So, the moral of today’s blog is go outside, get off your sofa and be social! Besides, yourTV doesn’t work anyway.