tickets

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED… YET? GLADIATOR 2 KEPT ME WAITING IN THE ARENA. PLUS, A FESTIVE FEAST FOR THE EYES!



A battle for patience (yeah more than waiting for me to blog again) rivaled any gladiatorial combat as I found myself in the modern-day coliseum—a Regal Cinemas theater—awaiting Gladiator 2. I felt like a christian waiting for the lions. The show was slated to begin at 7:00, but instead of roaring into epic action, I was bombarded with boredom with an endless parade of commercials. From Pepsi to Mountain Dew, insurance policies to U.S. Navy recruitment ads (Don’t ask don’t tell), the arena was packed with sponsors vying for attention. By the time the movie finally started—well after 7:30—I felt like a weary Roman citizen waiting for the emperor’s signal to let the games begin. In the end, though, Ridley Scott’s epic was worth the wait, even if I had to endure 30 minutes of corporate sword-and-shield tactics first! Now, I know why people prefer Netflix.

Speaking of movies for cinephiles! The 17th annual Hamptons Doc Fest rolls into Sag Harbor from Dec. 5 to 11, featuring 32 films at Sag Harbor Cinema and Bay Street Theater. Kicking off opening night is Merchant Ivory, Stephen Soucy’s 2023 doc celebrating the legendary filmmaking duo behind 44 acclaimed films, gracing this year’s festival cover. The highlight? Oscar-winner Michael Moore snagging the Pennebaker Career Achievement Award on Dec. 7 at Bay Street, followed by a screening of his groundbreaking debut, Roger & Me. Tickets are on sale now— click here and don’t miss it!

Finally, looking for some holiday fun this season? Step into a winter wonderland at LongHouse Reserve after dark, where glowing sculptures and light-dappled garden paths transform the landscape into a magical experience. This holiday season, don’t miss the return of ZIMA! by The Neo-Political Cowgirls—a captivating theatrical adventure through the garden’s beautifully illuminated trails. Directed by Kate Mueth, ZIMA! (Polish for “winter”) is an immersive, 30-minute journey that brings to life folklore, dance, poetry, and music from cultures around the world. Along the way, guests will discover whimsical vignettes before heading to the cozy art market, where handmade gifts, festive treats, and live music await. After your adventure, warm up at the Holiday Artisan Market, supporting local artists and makers, with all proceeds benefiting the LongHouse Annual Appeal. A perfect blend of art, culture, and holiday cheer! There is a suggested fee of $45 per person. You can purchase your tickets by clicking here.

AFTER A POULTRY START FORMER BREADZILLA HAS CHEF PETE AMBROSE RULING THE ROOST! PLUS IT’S TIME FOR A SPRING FLING!

Big news for foodies and “dagwood” lovers! Peter Ambrose Catering is flipping the script at the site of the old Breadzilla, now affectionately dubbed “that place that used to be Breadzilla.” After the old location went to the birds with its stint as The Chicken Place, it’s getting a savory upgrade with SOFO Sandwich Company, set to open in early May. Expect a hero-ic menu featuring gourmet sandwiches like a real Cajun muffaletta, pulled chicken that’ll make you wing with delight, lobster rolls and Cubano creations so good, you’ll think you’re in Havana. Don’t miss the coffee-rubbed smoked beef and the fresh daily turkey, sure to make your taste buds flock. They’ll also have daily selections of sweets from Dorothy’s Bake Shop. Visit them after May 15th at 84 Wainscott NW Rd and see what everyone will be squawking about!

Peter Ambrose Catering seems to be everywhere these days, and this time they’re bringing the heat—even if the weather isn’t—at the Parrish Art Museum’s 2024 Spring Fling. This benefit event, set for Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 7:30 to 11 PM, celebrates the work of Simón Vega and raises funds to support the museum’s education programs, public initiatives, and Access Parrish. The $250 ticket ($200 for members) gets you in the door, but you’ll want to snag yours before May 2, 2024, because prices jump to $300 after that date. Attendees can expect a culinary feast from Peter Ambrose, paired with wine from Dry Farm Wines, beer from Kidd Squid Brewing Co., and signature cocktails from Cocktails & Dreams. With art, music, and delicious bites, the Spring Fling promises to be a night to remember—rain or shine!

Click here to get your tickets now!

IF YOU CAN’T GET TO LA FOR THE OSCARS… PLUS SOME NEW FOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE!

Sunday in the Hamptons: Join Academy voters at Canoe Place Inn and Cottages in Hampton Bays for the ultimate Oscar Viewing Party! Hosted by PBS “film critics” Bill McCuddy, Lisa Rosman, and Neil Rosen, this soirée promises an evening of Hollywood glamour and insider insights.

Let the trio handicap the outcomes, but here’s the twist: YOU can fill out a ballot and challenge them to beat your predictions! McCuddy jokes, “I’m sure they’ll beat Rosen… Watch out for surprises in your Oscar pool, like Annette Bening for Best Actress!”

McCuddy, also a GoldDerby.com writer, spills his pick for Best Actor – the talented Paul Giamatti. And when it comes to the big prize? “Oppenheimer” takes the spotlight: “An important movie that made money doesn’t take Einstein… oh wait, yes it does.”

Anyway, for $75 bucks you’ll get a great prix fixe dinner, with a choice of entrees including Grilled Salmon, Skirt Steak, Fresh Pasta and McCuddy’s stale jokes. Click here to buy tickets. Believe it or not they’re actually selling! But I’ll credit the dinner and Canoe Place Inn for the sales.

Rumor has it…. some new restaurants are coming to town and a few have sailed into the sunset. So here are a few tidbits of what’s new in the Hamptons for this Summer. I don’t have a ton of details so here are the bullet points. Also, remember these are rumors and this is a blog not the NY Times (type o’s, spelling and grammatical errors and all) I have a full time job and do this on the side.

The old Dockside in Sag Harbor which became something fancy last year is going more middle of the road with the folks from Red Hook Tavern in Brooklyn setting up shop. But don’t expect more middle of the road pricing. It’s the Hamptons.

The former home of Dockside… Red Hook Tavern?

The old Laundry, Race Lane, Buttero, Lodge, Doppo, Leif Hope’s site in East Hampton has a new tenant or two. The folks who ran a successful series of city pop up restaurants at Rosie’s in Amagansett last summer are brining the same idea to East Hampton this summer. Stay tuned for more details.

The formal home of Cyril’s will soon have the the folks from Maverick’s in Montauk setting up shop.

Grindstone Donuts in Sag Harbor will soon be selling burgers to go while there East Hampton store on Gingerbread Lane should be opening soon.

Finally, Fini Pizza in Amagansett is opening up again next week.

RECON FROM HARBOR MARKET AND THE BEST OF OVERPRICED HAMPTONS!

The New Harbor Market!

Hi all, just remember Hamptons Chatter is not a daily, a weekly or any other type of regular anything.  I also refuse to take any sort of literary Metamucil!   I only speak when I feel inspired to speak, when the muses have touched me or when something around town really pisses me off.    So guess what? The muses haven’t touched me but I am a little…. wait no negativity here either.   I need to breathe.   Hmm.   OK now for the not angry edition of Hamptons Chatter or as Curbed.com editors have been known to call this “HC.”    I can live with that… HC!

Well, I finally had the chance to go the new Harbor Market and Kitchen in Sag Harbor to see if all the fuss and arguing was worth it.  Well, here I am to tell you it was much ado about nothing!   The place looks fantastic, beautiful barn doors, cedar shingles and the whole exterior of the place is totally in keeping in with the neighborhood aesthetic.     The food by the way, is also pretty good especially the pizzas but only order when you’re not in a hurry.   As for the much feared industrial sounds coming from the roof and the awful unattractive roof…. well it’s pretty damn quiet and its way more attractive than that house on 114 that looks like it’s being built for the Munsters or the hideous colors radiating from Yummilicious!   Not that I don’t love Yummilicious.

I don’t know the owners of the market but I can tell you they’ve had their hands full battling to open the market… remember this is the same street where panties were twisted over a huge pair of legs…. but there efforts have paid off.    The interior is beautiful and the sandwiches, salads and the macaroni and cheese are pretty good too!    So go, check it out and decide for yourself…. and decide if the world really changed that much on Henry Street!?

But you know different things find different things offensive.     What do I find offensive??????   Some of the prices we are forced to pay here around town in the Hamptons!  Here is my brief list of some of the worst offenders.  Now remember, I don’t mind paying big bucks for the guacamole at Round Swamp Farm because it’s amazing.   What I do resent is mediocre products at premium prices. But remember, this is not an angry blog.  I’m staying positive.   So here are some of the most positively overpriced items I can think of on the East End…. 2015 Edition!

No supersizing here – Sanscerre that is Sen-sationally expensive!!

Sen Restaurant – This Sag Harbor establishment is always packed and I get it.   The food is good but a dinner for two with a few glasses of wine and some sushi shouldn’t cost nearly $300 bucks!    Well, part of it might have been the very stingy pours of Sancerre wine, I’m convinced that I the owner or manager was inspecting before going to the waiting tables.  REALLY? It’s a $14 dollar glass of wine… you’re not going to lose money if they give some lucky diner an extra ouce!    It will be a long time before I go to Sen again, instead I’ll head to Zokkon in East Hampton which is a fraction of the cost and just as good.   It’s also never packed there…. but it should be… great food and friendly prices!

Any Taxi in the Hamptons – I recently went from the Hampton Jitney to BMW in Southampton.   How far was that?  What 300 yards?!  It cost me nearly $20 dollars because it was a flat rate. Apparently that is for all cabs across the board… or so I’m told   Now before you all go saying I’m lazy and should have walked, I had a ton of luggage.   But really… $20?!  I could have taken a cab from the Upper East Side to Midtown for less.   But hey, it’s the Hamptons where some take the motto “if you have to ask the price then you shouldn’t be here!”

Babette’s East Hampton –  How much would you pay for a Western Omelette?     How about $18.95 at this Village eatery.   There really isn’t much to say here… I mean it’s an omelette!    Instead of getting eggs here, how about getting the same dish at Princess Diner for $9.95.   By the way, what’s with the .95 cents, is it some sort of weird egg law or tax?   For crying out loud people, say what it is for real;  $10 and $19.

East Hampton and Southampton Parking Tickets – Go to the beach without a permit or park on one of the lanes and you’re going to get slapped with a $150 parking ticket.   Yup, that’s like getting two California Rolls and a glass of wine at a certain restaurant!  By the way, don’t try messing with any of the brownies – the kids that write the tickets… nothing to do with Tate’s or Round Swamp Brownies…. wait I’m hungry!   OH, don’t mess with the kids writing tickets in any of the villages, they may be taking their SAT’s in the fall but these kids do not fool around!

Well, I’m back to pure happy thoughts now!    So I’m done writing.