real estate.

Breaking News!!!! Della Femina sells to Hillstone Restaurant Group!

In news that is going to have all of the Hamptons a buzz… Jerry Della Femina has allegedly sold his East Hampton restaurant to the Hillstone Restaurant Group. In case you don’t know the group it’s the company behind the hugely successful HOUSTON’S restaurant group. The company recently changed their name to Hillstone’s in the Manhattan locations. I’m not sure what the name will be here in the Hamptons, but I assure you the food will be awesome. I have long been a fan of Houston’s/Hillstone in the city. Their salads, their steaks, their everything is fresh, a great portion size and at a great price. If I were The Palm, I would be very nervous right now. This will be the biggest restaurant on the east end this summer…. MARK MY WORDS! Look for an opening in early to mid May!

No more EH Village beach passes…. and a new fitness studio (sort of) in Sag Harbor!

It’s official, East Hampton Village has officially ran out of 2011 Non-resident beach passes. So if you don’t already have one, it’s Indian Wells for you. But before you head out there make sure you at least have a town pass. There are plenty of those.

Well it’s beginning to look a lot like spring time in the Hamptons. The crocus’ are starting to pop up, some trees are budding and the stores and restaurants are getting prepped for the influx of summer visitors.

One of the more interesting renovations or expansions going on right now is wellNEST (yes, it’s supposed to be spelled that way!) in Sag Harbor. In case you are not familiar with the shop, it was started by Richard Ash, MD, dedicated to organic and sustainable well being, from vitamins to juices and even eyewear. It’s philosophy is all about better living inside and out. Well now they’re opening a WellNEST fitness studio. Set for a May 1 launch and hoping to give Lululemon a run for their money, the studio will feature BHAKTI YOGA, a spiritual approach to the exercise that will also incorporate natural oils and aromatheropy (if my research is correct). Anyway, if you want more information give WellNest at call at 631-899-4600.

Oh and speaking of telephone numbers, Sag Harbor is apparently out of 725 exchanges. So, now 725 is the new 212! Be afraid of a slew of foreign and alien 3 digit extensions heading to a neighborhood near you!

Finally, they’re getting ready for business at the old Farmhouse/Laundry restaurant. Apparently the former bartender and manager of Nichols, Colin Keilor is getting ready to launch a new restaurant at the East Hampton location . From what I hear, they’re looking at a Memorial Day opening. I don’t know what the name of the place will be but I wish them the best of luck getting it together. I always loved the space at the Farmhouse/Laundry/Purple Cow but having been in there a few months ago, I can tell you the place was looking a little beat and needed a ton of work.

I’m telling you there’s less than 100 Beach permits left for East Hampton Village!!! Plus some links to help you get your feet wet and sandy!

It looks nice this picture… doesn’t it??! Well if you don’t hurry, forget it!! If you weren’t already aware, full-season resident and non-resident permits are available now! Non-resident permits are limited in number and are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. And as of today, there are only about 60 permits left (according to the woman at Village Hall I spoke with)>

Permits are available in person at Village Hall from 9-4pm! It’s too late to do this by mail in my opinion. Both residents and non-residents must provide; a copy of a valid vehicle registration , drivers license, street address and owner of the property as listed on their tax bill as well as proof of residency
Non-residents must also provide a check or money order in the amount of $325 per vehicle, payable to “Village of East Hampton” . Here is the link if you need more information:

http://www.easthamptonvillage.org/permits.htm

Meanwhile, for Southampton village, East Hampton town and Southampton town; permits are not limited so you can rest a little easier. But here are the links you may need for information on all of this!

www.town.east-hampton.ny.us

Beach permits for EH Town cost is about $350.00 for non-residents $25 for resident, yeah, it used to be free.

Now for Southampton information:

www.southamptonvillage.org

SH Village is free for village residents, $200 for town residents and $350 for non residents.

www.southamptontown.org

SH Town $30 for residents and $225 for non residents.

Most beaches have day passes available, check out the websites to find out which beaches have that option.

Now, finally every year I get a new bunch of folks who are coming out to rent in the Hamptons for the first time. So, here it is. Some of the stuff you need to read before you go to the Hamptons. When you rent a house, most payments are half at the signing of the lease and the rest a week or so BEFORE you move in. Don’t worry about the commission, the landlord pays that. So, in turn don’t forget your agent is working for the landlord.

As for the expenses, the following are all usually paid for by the tenant unless you have a really generous landlord. Phone, cable TV, electric, gas, lawn care, pool maintenance, maid service/cleaning, trash pick up (or you can go to the dump)and cleaning supplies. This is a general rule of thumb. Are there some landlords who will pay for all this? Sure, the same landlords who leave mints on your pillow are the same ones who pay for all of this. If you don’t want to deal with all of this, there are some great B+B’s out east… just google! I’m glad to be back!!

Restaurant Shuffle

I’m sorry I’ve been MIA the past few weeks. I was traveling and things got busy. But I’m back and I’m ready to roll!!! Speaking of roll and or rolls… sushi rolls that is!

Bamboo is gone and Shiki has arrived. Sushi is great, prices are about the same but the interior is a little sleeker and clean. They don’t have a liquor license just yet so BYOB, but that should be fixed soon and once it is Thursday Free Sushi Night will return! Posted via email from pjmhamptons’s posterous

Also if you’re curious about Shiki, they’re a restaurant from “up island” as we like to say. One is in Babylon and the other in Smithtown. It’s gotten pretty good reviews in Zagat’s and the food has been called ““fresh”, “tasty”, “expertly prepared” sushi and “outrageous rolls” as well as “unusual hot dishes” in “large portions”, its “reliability” and “great deals” continue to lure “locals.”

I thought my two dinners there were pretty terrific. So rest easy East Hampton, you don’t have to go too far for good sushi. I’ll see you again at Shiki! Here’s the web site for the restaurant:

http://shiki-longisland.com/