SAG HARBOR

Round like a circle in a spiral.. the windmill of Sag Harbor!

After some recent windy weather, the windmill blades have come apart on the Sag Harbor landmark. Just as East Hampton is revealing their new 2.0 windmill on Pantigo Rd.

The Sag village is spending $8700 for the current repairs but that’s not enough to cover the current needs let alone the floors that were damaged in recent flood. According to some the total repairs will over $10,000 to get the landmark into better shape. Meanwhile, the village which is a little strapped for cash is open to fundraising ideas to help save the windmill.

There is talk for a “Save the Windmill” fundraiser modeled after the restoration of the movie theatre neon sign. Like the whale and the movie sign, plenty of local residents feel the windmill is the symbol of Sag Harbor.

If anyone has ideas on how to help save the SAG HARBOR WINDMILL, don’t hesitate to contact the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. You can do your part in helping Sag Harbor continue to be the cool place that Curbed readers think is one of “the” best spots in the Hamptons!

Sag Harbor has a new culinary Muse!

I thought I was done for the year but like Al Pacino in GODFATHER III, “they keep bringing me back!” I’m not sure who the “they” are but I guess it’s the fact this week has been so darn busy on the East End. It’s like July trying to find a parking space in any of the villages. So now back to the news… good news folks… the former JLX Bistro/Pommes Cafe

(I had to use JLX because I don’t think anyone knew the Pommes Cafe) will soon be taken over by the folks behind MUSE in Water Mill. Chef Chef Matthew Guiffrida will be bringing his unique and diverse menu to one of the best locations in Sag Harbor. Let’s just hope he brings his amazing fondue… YES FONDUE… from MUSE to the new location. Yeah, I know fondue is not something that will help me win any “hard body” contest!

Located on the end of Main St., the space has gone through several incarnations over the past few years. But I think it has more to do with bad management than it being a bad location. Besides, if anyone can make this work I’m convinced Guiffrida can do it. I’ve always loved MUSE but since I live in East Hampton, found the trek to Water Mill a little much especially in the summer. So, I’m thrilled he’s taking over this space in Sag Harbor. In fact, I asked Matthew if he’ll be doing any of his cooking classes in Sag Harbor and he said, yes! He also told me his menu will be similar to that of MUSE but with a few more pasta and seafood dishes added.

Speaking of the man behind the stove, Matthew Guiffrida if any one of my friends who still works in television reads this blog, take note! Who was one of the first people to give Bobby Flay a gig on TV?! You’re right, it was ME! Well let me tell you Guiffrida should be your next food segment booking. I went to his cooking class and not only was it an amazing night of food and wine… LOTS OF WINE ACTUALLY… but Matthew is charming, funny and fast. He should be doing television! Matthew good luck with the new place and make sure we get invited to that opening hopefully this March!

Now for a little bit of bad news. It seems the restaurant that was the BEACH HOUSE is no longer. What started out in my opinion one of the best new restaurants of Summer 2011 has become a victim of the off season blues. According to owner Michael Gluckman, he may be back in another

incarnation soon. I’m hoping so and I’m also hoping the new restaurant serves what I thought was some of the best TUNA TAR TARE around. Ok, hopefully I’m done… and done with blogging about food. I’m going back to the gym this afternoon and hopefully I’ll blog more about working out in 2012!!! Wish me luck!

Sometimes it feels a little backwards… but thank goodness for these 5 in 2011!

I was thinking back to last year and some of the happenings in the Hamptons, and I found myself dividing them into some of the best and worst moves on the east end (no, this has nothing to do with dancing). It was interesting to think about it…and as I did a recent incident kept coming to mind. While in Manhattan last week I met a former East End resident who referred to living out here like living in “Hooterville.” While I laughed, I have to disagree, there are enough good things going on out here to make us feel more like “Petticoat Junction!”

#5 – HARBORFROST – Kudos to Sag Harbor resident Benito Villa for picking up the stick so many have dropped before and putting together something to brighten the dull month of February in the Hamptons! From ice sculpting to fireworks and the Polar Bear Plunge, Sag Harbor was the place to be for that chilly wet weekend. Shops and restaurants were packed and it gave us all a little fun to go outdoors during those dark days of winter. If only they turned that PB Plunge into a hard bodies PB plunge, now that would be a ton more fun to watch. Yes, I know I couldn’t be included in that!

#4 LT Burger – Finally a good burger joint with great shakes and no attitude opens in the Hamptons. Restaurateur and chef Laurent Tourondel, who is behind some of the most successful steak joints in the country went out on his own and opened this new Sag Harbor favorite. It proves once again, if you know what you’re doing in the Hamptons they will come and find you! Hint to that other burger place, maybe you should have actually had restaurant experience!

#3 K-Mart’s MYGOFER.COM – While I never in my life ever thought I would be such a fan of K-Mart, I have to say their GOFER.COM is a god send on those busy summer weekends. It’s a simple as going to their website and ordering what you need online. Then VIOLA! It arrives at your doorstep, presto agitato! So to me, KMART does not suck! Take that Mr. Rain Man!

#2 East Hampton Patch – www.easthampton.patch.com – Editor Taylor Vecsey has put together a smart, well organized and informative website for the Hamptons! It’s one of the few I regularly read and my favorite website…. well next to this clever blog of course!

#1 The East Hampton Grill – What LT Burger understood and made them successful, the EH Grill/Hillstone group brought to a whole other level. If you serve people good food, with great service in a comfortable setting, they will wait and deal with pushy crowds to eat there! Since the day they opened and even now in December, it’s the hardest reservation to get in the Hamptons. But unlike some other “hamptons hot spots,” you don’t have to grease the staff to get a table or friendly service. My only complaint is they don’t have the company signature dish of Spinach Dip at this location. Although that may now be a good thing, I want to be able to wear a Speedo at this year’s HarborFrost Polar Bear Plunge!

OK those are my top 5 for the Hamptons this 2011! Tomorrow it’s the five biggest mistakes from the past year! Yeah, I know this blog should be one of them

How to de-haunt your house… some restaurant obits.. and Bieberfever to hit the Hamptons?

I don’t know what to say, I’m so annoyed at myself for neglecting my little blog. At one point I was getting about 300 to 400 hits a day but alas, I took a few weeks off due to a cold, exhaustion and creative drain. You don’t think this blog just writes itself do you??! So how can I make it up to you? I’m not sure but here it goes.

Sad news… very sad news….one of East Hamptons favorite spots Turtle Crossing is no more! But more on that in a minute… also sad… La Fondita, the best Mexican food in the Hamptons will soon be closed for the season. What’s worse is they won’t be selling their amazing tortilla soup and tacos at Town Line BBQ this winter!! Two years ago it was great to go to town line and have your choice from either menu. I’m sad. I will say that Estia in Sag Harbor actually has some pretty good Mexican options on their menu if you’re going into withdrawal. The tacos and the home made chips and guacamole could hold their own at any cantina in the city!

Now, Back to restaurants closing, according to their facebook page “Turtle Crossing” in East Hampton has shuttered their doors for good. Sad news! They’ve entered the zone of restaurants past along with … here’s a shocker… RUGOSA! What there wasn’t a demand for “roast pheasant in plumb sauce” in the Hamptons!?” We all knew Rugosa’s location there is a little jinxed or at least haunted. And speaking of…

So, this may be a day late and a dollar short but a website called www.creditsesame.com is offering some tips on how to keep your house from being haunted! What are some of their ideas? Nail a horseshoe over the front door! WHAT?!!! HAVE THESE PEOPLE EVER SEEN A ROADRUNNER CARTOON!? Horsehoes are deadly! How about a nice MEZEZUAH instead? Yep, that’s one of their suggestions too. Along with painting the porch “Haint” blue, because it resembles water and ghosts are apparently afraid of water. Hmmmm… ok.

Also, make sure your stairs don’t have a number that is divisible by 3! This is of course the Filipino tradition of “Oro, Platta, Mata.” Of course we knew about that already. Divide by three? I’d be better at calculating 3% or 6% for that matter (realtor humor)! Anyway, if you want to read more… go the website and check it out and click in the blogs section. By the way, I hear Murph’s in Sag Harbor is allegedly haunted. I don’t think they need to paint the porch blue if they want to get rid of the ghouls in that place, they just need to raise the prices!!!

Finally, is it true or not? A broker friend of mine allegedy got a call from some guy who says he works for Justin Bieber. Apparently the Biebster is looking to find a house in the Hamptons. Fashon trend alert, tupperware bowl cuts for everyone!!! Oh the humanity!