Rumors about who will be taking over the old Dockside restaurant in Sag Harbor have been swirling ever since the beloved establishment shuttered its doors in November. After announcing plans of being taken over by the folks behind Rita Cantina, word on the street is that the deal has fallen through. While nothing has been confirmed, a reliable source has told me that NYC eatery Il Mulino is set to take its place. Yes, ANOTHER high-end Italian eatery in the village. If you remember Il Mulino already dipped their toes in Hampton waters when they opened at a location in Wainscott which lasted two seasons. Let’s hope they get it right this time. BUT ONCE AGAIN THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN CONFIRMED BUT THIS SOURCE WAS RIGHT LAST TIME.
Get ready, folks! Changes are coming to Country Road 39 this fall, as a 1.9-mile stretch of fresh sidewalk construction is set to begin. While there may be some major grumbling among locals who are concerned about potential traffic disruptions on this main artery in and out of the Hamptons, fear not… or so say the planners. They have stated they thoughtfully scheduled the construction to commence only after peak commuter times, ensuring minimal impact on your daily travels. Plus, the schedule has been crafted to take into account seasonal traffic variations. Yet, why do so many have visions of backed up traffic? Some officials are hoping we all embrace and trust them that the upgrade will lead to smoother and safer journeys along this vital thoroughfare. Uh-huh. Meanwhile North Haven Mayor Chris Fiore wrote in a recent letter to the editors at Southampton Press, “These roadworks and the lack of consideration for the general public — specifically tradespeople who commute here, working people who can’t afford to live here and thousands of others — signal the epitome of deaf bureaucracy.”
It’s that time of year again! Time to break out your fall clothes and make a reservation. So toss away that “I hate to cook” apron because Long Island Restaurant Week started this past Sunday, November 6th and ends on Sunday, November 13th and it’s bigger than ever.
In 2020, Long Island Restaurant Week was expanded with the goal of supporting restaurants during a time when customers were struggling to eat lunch due in part from the COVID-19 crisis. These changes included price adjustments and adding additional options for varying budgets so folks could enjoy meals out without feeling too guilty! The prices range from $27, $37, or $44 for a three-course dinner prix fixe, depending on the restaurant, with many $22 two-course lunch selections available, too. Check out the list below to see who is taking part here in the Hamptons.
East Hampton:
Cove Hollow Tavern – If you’re looking for a casual yet sophisticated dining experience, look no further than Cove Hollow Tavern. The menu features American classics with a twist, like the Harissa’s Lamb Burger, Mushroom Bolognese Pasta and the best french fries on the east end. And of course, no meal is complete without one of their generous cocktails. Cove Hollow is offering a 3 course dinner for $37. For more information: www.covehollowtavern.com
Long Island Restaurant Week is back!
Sag Harbor:
Page at 63 Main – Looking for a romantic dinner spot? Page at 63 Main is perfect for date night. The menu features locally sourced ingredients and seasonal specialties. Some of our favorites include the Herb Roasted Half Chicken and Skin Charred Salmon. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but be sure to save room for dessert! The Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Mixed Berry Compoteis to die for. Page is offering a 3 course dinner prix fixe for $44. For more information: www.page63main.com
Bridgehampton:
Elaia Estiatorio – Greece is the word at this Bridgehampton hot spot. Mediteranian specialties are abundant on the menu with enough choices to make everyone happy in a casual and fun atmosphere. Start with a Whipped Feta Dip or Braised Lamb Meatballs. Follow up with a Chicken Souvlaki or Lavraki (Bronzino) with your choice of side- the Handcut Parsley Fries are pretty good too. Wrap it up with what else, a big hunk of Baklava. Elaia is offering three courses for $44. For more information: www.elaiaestiatorio.com
Jean Georges at Topping Rose Inn – Start with the amazing Kale Caesar Salad or Tuna Tartare. This casual, elegant restaurant celebrates the seasons and offers farm-to table cuisine using ingredients sourced from local fisherman & farmers! For Fall Long Island Restaurant Week they will be offering a $44 three course dinner prix fixe with Salmon, Roast Chicken and vegeterian pasta that are all worth taking advantage of before Sunday. For the the menu click here.
Calissa – If you’re in the mood for Greek food, Calissa is another option. The beautiful space is perfect for a romantic dinner. We recommend ordering the Tomato Soup with feta croutons or the Stuffed Calimari to start, followed by the Lobster Risotto for your main course. And don’t forget to order a bottle of wine from their extensive list! Calissa is offering a 3 course dinner for $42. For more information: www.calissahamptons.com
Southampton:
Southampton Publick House – Southampton Publick House is a local favorite for good reason. The menu features traditional pub fare with a twist, like Fish & Chips with Malt Vinegar and BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. And of course, no meal here would be complete without one of their award-winning beers! Publick House is offering a 2 course lunch for $22 and 3 course dinner for $37 For more information – www.publick.com
Union Sushi & Steak- Union Sushi & Steak is the perfect place to go if you can’t decide what you’re in the mood for. With a menu that features both steak and sushi, there’s something for most everyone. We recommend starting with the Tuna Tartare appetizer and then moving on to either the filet mignon or the duck risotto for your main course. Union Sushi and Steak is offering a 3 course menu for $44. For more details visit- www.dineatunion.com
Saaz Indian Restaurant- Saaz Indian Restaurant is THE place to go on Long Island if you’re in the mood for Indian food. The menu features all of your favorite dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala and Hakka Noodles as well as several vegan options. For more information about their restaurant week specials visit: http://www..saazny..com
No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it during Long Island Restaurant Week! With so many great options to choose from, it’s impossible to go wrong! So make a reservation at your favorite spot or try somewhere new and enjoy a delicious three-course meal today!
RUMORS AND MORE RUMORS ABOUT FOOD IN SAG HARBOR VILLAGE!
It’s no secret that Sag Harbor is a foodie town. With so many options for dining, it can be hard to decide where to go. But if you’re in the mood for Mexican food, you may soon be getting another option and “The Chatter” as I’m now calling the blog is here to spill the refried beans.
K-Pasa has been a Sag Harbor staple for the past few years. The restaurant is known for its pricey taco dishes, as well as its margaritas and pretty much the big queso in town for spicy specialties. Well now LT Burger, is apparently jumping into the tortilla biz. The Main Street burger joint recently brown papered the windows and left a note saying they’ll be back with an revised menu and new format soon. It kind of makes sense since I don’t know how the place was making it work when most tables were filled with a few adults and a zillion kids splitting a burger and fries. Anway, my sources tell me they’re going to diversify the menu and include tacos and lighter fare so burgers are nacho only choice. I don’t have any timeline for the change over but will keep you posted.
Something to taco bout!
Meanwhile, the one that has everyone talking in town is the imminent closure of Dockside Restaurant and Bar on Bay Street. According to sources, the Dockside Bar and Grill, located in the American Legion hall, will be closing its doors to the public mid-November. The restaurant has been a staple in the small town of Sag Harbor for years, and its loss will be felt by many.
The primary cause (from what I hear) of the closure is due to the restaurant losing their lease. Others have told me that they just felt it was time to retire. Adam Potter, who has his fingers in lots of businesses around town, now controls it. There has been much speculation as to why Potter would want to see the Dockside go, but the bottom line is the comparisons to THE Mr. Potter from It’s a Wonderful Life will certainly continue. If you read the Nextdoor Neighbor app you’ll know what I mean.
Dockside wil be sailing into the Sunset soon
What we do know is that the new occupants of the space will be the folks behind Rita Cantina in Springs. They’re apparently looking to bring a casual bistro/pub menu to the Bay Street location. While this may be good news for some, it’s still bittersweet given the circumstances. I like Rita Cantina and I liked their previous restaurant Bay Kitchen so I have high hopes for the new “Dockside.”
It’s always hard to see a beloved local spot have to close its doors, but sometimes change can be for the better. We’ll have to wait and see what the new occupants of the old Dockside Bar and Grill location have in store for us. Either way, we’ll always remember the good times we had at the Dockside.
Boardwalk. Go to jail. Do not pass go. These are all synonymous with the game of Monopoly, which has been collecting dust in family closets for generations. But now there’s a new version of the game that is ready to eat up shelf space and raise a few eyebrows at the same time: Hamptons Monopoly. You probably saw it displayed as you entered the local CVS or vareity store. This version of the game, which is set in The Hamptons, features a number of changes to the traditional game board, including different properties and different prices. While some people love the new twists on the classic game, others like me feel that it could just as well be set in Ronkonkoma. Meaning, this board game was developed by some intern at Hasbro who was researching articles in Long Island Pennysaver.
First off, Boardwalk and Park Place have been replaced with the Montauk Light House and Shelter Island. While not exactly Baltic Avenue, one would think Boardwalk would be Sag Harbor Main Street or Southampton Bath and Tennis. Instead of going to Jail maybe they should just put you in line at Citarealla. As for the game game pieces, the car looks kind of like a Ford Pinto (have they been to the Hamptons?). Why didn’t they at least have something more hip like a Moke! But before you think they totally missed the mark, the retail price for the Hamptons version is $39.99 while the regular sells for $16.34 on Amazon.com. I think I’ll stick to solitaire on my phone.
The Lobster has left !
Another restaurant falls victim to the tough Hamptons restaurant scene. The Montauk Lobster House, nestled between Sen and the American Hotel on Main Street Sag Harbor, has closed its doors. The restaurant’s location and proximity to other successful businesses should have made it a huge success, but apparently not. Maybe it was the dumb name considering it’s in Sag Harbor. Or maybe it was just bad luck. Either way, there’s no news yet about what’s going into the space which was also formerly occupied by Wolffer Kitchen. We can only hope that the new business will have better luck than the Montauk Lobster House.
