real estate.

Almond will soon toast in a new location… and I’m no longer in 5th grade!!!!

Well I heard it through the grapevine… and not from Marvin Gaye… that Almond will be moving to a new home. Apparently owner Eric Lemonides couldn’t come to terms with the landlord of what I thought for years was a cursed property. Almond proved me wrong! It’s been a hit since day 1. I don’t have any idea where the Almond gang will be moving but the current establishment will be shuttering sometime in early December. Almond is an institution in the Hamptons and I have no doubt Eric’s loyal following out here as well as in the city will follow him! Chelsea Clinton has been reported to be a frequent visitor among a slew of other celebrities but my favorite star siting was always Peter Jennings. He was pretty much a regular there every Friday night back in the day. I guess as one door closes another opens. I only hope Almond moves closer to East Hampton, it would be easier for me! OK, one quick question, with a million vacant restaurant properties (JL East, Star Room, Poxabogue, etc.) in the Hamptons, does the landlord really think now is a good time to play hardball?

Also, a game changer for me. I finally learned how to tie a Windsor Knot! My friend Paul Zweben who is the ultimate metrosexual has long chided me for tying my knots like I was still a 5th grader in Catholic School. Well now my Hermes ties will finally look presentable!! So how did I do it? The way any adult in the 21st century learns anything. I went to YOU TUBE! Ha. Here it is!!

The Sun is Shining on the Hamptons Real Estate Market!!!

In what has to be a first… the Hamptons Designer showcase house has actually sold in a relatively short period of time! That’s right! 129 Stoney Hill rd. is reportedly in contract. The 7,000 square foot home with an additional 3000 of lower level living was listed on the market for $5,500,000. While we don’t know what the actual selling price is, $5+ million asking price in Sag Harbor and not on the water was an aggressive take. Once again the Hamptons market is defying conventional wisdom! Maybe the house was actually better done than I thought? I was there when Jill Zarin was whining her way through a tour and I had to cut it short because of my headache!

Meanwhile some home improvements in East Hampton as the historic windmill on North Main street gets a face lift. I’m not sure what it’s costing but I’m sure it isn’t cheap. Wouldn’t it be greener and more economically responsible to put up solar panels instead?! I mean how much power does that thing generate anyway!?

Finally, once again the Sag Harbor Rag-a-muffin parade has come and gone. So what was the verdict! Try $250 worth of candy “packed.” Anyway, a good time was had by all and I’m a little poorer!

Sothfork Kitchen is open and it was worth the wait!

So after months of false starts and opening dates that have come and gone, Southfork Kitchen in Bridgehampton is finally open. The big question is now, was it worth the wait?! The answer is a definitive yes. Southfork Kitchen is billed as a sustainable “farm-to-table” restaurant with seafood and local produce, and boasting it’s very own on-site gardens.

Chef Joe Isidori has has created a menu that is both innovative and delicious. Some of the featured appetizers on the menu include 8 o’clock Ranch Pork Belly with breakfast radish, sea salt and Yazu, Southfork Kitchen Clam Chowder with soy cured bacon and vegtables and a amazing Garden salad with homemade buttermilk dressing and ewe’s blue cheese.

Entrees include Icelandic Artic Char with white organic miso and tonato fondue, Milowski Farm Hertiage Turkey Saltimbocca with egg, orgainic spinach and guanciale. I’m not a food writer here so I’m just copying what the menu says. So don’t ask me what guacnciale is!? I actually ordered the Chicken… yes, chicken.. but I have to say it was really quite good. Ok, I’ll be more adventurous next time.

The wines were local as well featuring Channing Daughters and Wolffer vineyards for example. All in all it was a great evening, with a few little kinks in the service but it IS A NEW PLACE! Owner and blogger Bruce Buschel has created a warm and friendly enviornment where his greetings of many of the diners will no doubt make Southfork Kitchen the hardest reservation in the summer of ‘011! Wow, I was nice… no complaints.. but I have to say SFK earned it. Good luck guys!

Southfork Kitchen is open at 203 Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY 11932

Call (631) 537-4700 for hours.

Me, SJP and 13 nice things about the Hamptons!!

Last night I was at the NY Sheraton for the annual Empire State Pride Agenda, fall dinner. It was actually a really great event for a great cause. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was there as was Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Governor David Patterson. The event was hosted by Andy Cohen of Bravo and Sarah Jessica Parker. Now, I’ve known Andy for years and he introduced me to Ms. Parker or as he calls her SJP. I have to say, she was more attractive in person than in any of her movies or on the TV show. She was also absolutely charming. So now, if you read this blog you know I wasn’t crazy about “Sex and the City 2” the movie. Well, I take it back. I’m going to only say nice things about the Movie and SJP! She’s my new BFF.

So that had me thinking. Now that I’ve turned over a new leaf of saying only nice things about S&TC2, maybe I should say nice things about some other places and people I’ve often slighted. So, since today is Friday the 13Th I’m going to add some positive energy to the day and say 13 nice things. Here it goes….

#1 Bay Burger in Sag Harbor … nice thing… they have a very smooth parking lot!

OK, how did I do? I’ll keep going….

#2 The smell of the East Hampton Gym and the stale smelling towels keep me alert when working out!

#3 Bagel Buoy in Sag Harbor… the bagels are very round!

#4 Joan Jedell’s Hamptons hot sheet is great for starting bonfires!

#5 The traffic on 27 isn’t really that bad on Sunday mornings in January!

#6 The Golden Pear’s $10 gazpacho makes me spend $10 less on wine!

#7 That agent that looks like Ms. Piggy is much better looking than their boyfriend!

Gosh this is hard… I’m thinking… I’m thinking… hummmmmm….

#8 The produce in Walbaum’s isn’t as rancid as it looks!

#9 Riverhead is a great place if you like fast food!

#10 Murphs in Sag Harbor has a floor that’s very difficult to slip on!

#11 I don’t have to ever worry about sleeping too late, now that I have my Beagle Russell!

#12 ATT’s lousy reception keeps me from spending too much time talking to long winded real estate agents!

and…. drum roll….. #13 the orange parking ticket on my window looks so great with all of the Fall colors!!!

Whoa! Oh before I forget. I have to post this video. If you haven’t seen it yet you should. What do you think happens to a McDonalds Happy Meal after 6 months. Take a look. Bay Burger may not seem so bad now!