DISCOUNT DATE NIGHT WITH LONG ISLAND RESTAURANT WEEK!

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.

Chef Jean George at Topping Rose Inn. www.toppingrose.com

Water Mill:

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!

Are Short Term Rentals Harming The Hamptons… and I FINALLY got to Topping Rose!!

So the Hamptons are more crowded this year than last.  But yet, everyone from shop keepers and especially real estate agents (talking rentals) are saying that business is off.   One thing I always do when I take my stroll around town trying to look better dressed than the next guy, I always ask shop owners “how was your season?”   The response I keep hearing “not great.”    But it’s so crowded, which leaves me wondering what gives!?     Well some folks are blaming the increasing popularity of those short term rental websites for the problem.       For example, you can rent a house in Southampton from a website called Marquis for a nightly rate of $1,100 a night even though this is in violation of town code which requires a minimum of 14 days.     So, according to some there lies the problem.    You have a house which advertises an occupancy of 12 people each essentially paying $100 per person, they’re not the types who are going to be spending money about town in the shops and restaurants.     By the way, I like that the Hamptons are becoming more accessible to folks who wouldn’t normally be able to visit but by allowing overcrowding in houses it’s more like a spring break location than quiet escape from city living.    What do you think?

Finally,  I got the chance to visit the new Topping Rose by Jean Georges last night and I can say is it was worth the wait.  Although the reservation lines need some fixing… about 45 minutes of holds, hang ups and transfers… the total experience was great.   The menu is unpretentious with everything from an amazing mini pizza to a terrific kale salad and a really solid cheese burger.    Service was solid and entrees arrived within a half hour of ordering.  I had the penne with meatballs and thought they were over the top awesome.   My dinner guests ordered the burger and the salmon, each earning a thumbs up from each.   I also recommend the heirloom tomato salad which right now is on the tail of being in season so go try it now.    This is a huge step up from last year’s outing by Tom Colicchio.

MMMMMMMMMM…. DONUTS… AND TUNA TARTARE! -UPDATED!!!

In case you missed it there was a lot of buzz a few months ago as Tom Colicchio and Topping Rose House parted ways.    Much of the well deserved criticism revolved around the fact that the prices were steep and the food was just a tad too “precious.”     Well, when it was recently announced that Jean-Georges Vongerichten would be moving into that prime location, it was with a skeptical eye that many Hamptons folks awaited the arrival of it’s latest celebrity chef.     I mean, doesn’t everyone want quail and sweet breads when visiting the beach?

www.toppingrosehouse.com
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm…. donuts!

But guess what?  A good thing happened on the way to Bridgehampton.   Rather than taking a step on the fancy side, the restaurateur took a page more from his Inn at Pound Ridge menu and gave it a Hamptons spin.    Jean-Georges at the Topping Rose House is now open and ready for business.  While make no mistake the bill is going to cost you a few more dollars than an Olive Garden Prix Fixe, the prices are reasonable by local standards and the menu is actually pretty accessible.   The restaurant was open over the Memorial Day and served dishes from the new menu including; Tuna Tartare with Avacado and ginger marinade for $22, Kale Salad with Lemon and Parmesan $15, Parmesan Crusted Organic Chicken for $32 and a Cheeseburger with Frizzled Onions and House made pickles for $21.     For the vegetarian in the group, they also have a Garden Vegetable Brown Rice bowl with Salsa Verde for $26.    While I haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, if it’s anything like the Westchester outlet I have no doubt it will be packed from now until Labor Day!  For more information or reservations, you can try calling 631-537-0870 or go online by clicking here!

Meanwhile, something is apparently brewing in Sag Harbor and Homer Simpson will very happy.    I was on the street and I glazed over to find out that  Grindstone Coffee and Donuts is coming to town.   The hole deal is getting ready to set up shot at the location that was formerly occupied by Pepalajefa at 7 Main Street in Sag Harbor.   Fronted by two veteran coffee shope folks,  locals Kyle Shanahan and Anna Coffman will have brioche style donuts in such mouth watering flavors as strawberry shortcake, chocolate coconut and of course the traditional glazed!  The two are also making a point of sourcing all of the ingredients from local providers like Mecox Dairy and Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett.    In fact, they’re taking the local angle so seriously they’ve decided to start working on a beach plum filled jelly donut recipe.     But if you’re hoping these will be low calorie, fat free, taste free confections, forget it.  The plan is for real “super buttery brioche donuts”… dare I say it’s a the Hamptons answer to a cronut….. a bronut?    The shop will also have a range of gourmet coffees and teas to help unclog your arteries.       Look for Grindstone Coffee and Donuts to open sometime at the end of the month!    One final thought before I go?  Some folks say, “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”… except for donuts which say, “skinny can go “f” itself.”

WARNING TO ALL EASTER BUNNIES…. AND SMALL DOGS! HAPPY EASTER! SUGGESTIONS FOR BRUNCH!

Break out the pastels and the whites… it’s now officially ok to wear your fancy duds!  Well as of Sunday anyway.   So after the bunny has dropped the basket, where are some great places to wear your best bonnet?   Well look no further, Hamptons Chatter is here to help.  Here are my top 3 suggestions:
Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor (page63main.com, 631-725-1810)  will have an a la carte brunch menu from 11 to 4 featuring such holiday favorites as leg of lamb and Eggs Benedict.   They’ll also have plenty of champagne and mimosas to help with that headache from the all the little kiddies sugar high!
So CUTE.. and hopefully not on any menu!
Topping Rose in Bridgehampton (toppingrosehouse.com, 631-537-0870) will also have an al carte brunch menu featuring everything Brioche Donuts to Painted Hill Short Rib hash from 11:30 to 3p.   They’ll also have activities for the kids and a giant Easter Bunny around for photographs.  You’ll be able to order EXTRA champagne without drama.  Earplugs will not be provided.
Barons Cove in Sag harbor (baronscove.com, 631-725-2101) will be hosting an Easter egg hunt for the kids… so hopefully they’ll be outside.   Brunch will be served from 11 to 4p and feature all your holiday favorites including lamb, roast beef and rabbit stew.  OK, actually there is no rabbit stew…. that would be kind of cruel.   Don’t cha think!?    I mean… “Thank you Easter Bunny for the chocolate… now jump into the pot!?”

Speaking of Easter Bunnies, they need to be watching their eggs and hops these days.   While I’m not sure if it’s a real warning or where the heck it originates, there is a message circulating on the internet and Facebook about there being a larger number of Hawks this season on the east coast.   The alleged warning has been issued by “Park Rangers” and “Veterinarians” to pet owners who have dogs or cats that weigh less then 12 pounds.

WARNING: FOR OWNERS OF SMALL PETS

Apparently our small furry friends run the risk of being swooped away.   I actually had a friend who swore that happened to her pet a few years back but I question that particular incident and attribute it more to her 3 martini breakfast.    “I saw it… my dog flew away!”   Kind of scary considering it was a German Shepard. Anyway, all kidding aside I did some digging online and while the “warning” may possibly be bogus, the risk is actually quite real.    But before you panic and call your local veterinarian for advice or veteran with a gun on addressing the potential problem, just remember these birds of prey are FEDERALLY PROTECTED!      So what can you do?   Well here is are a few tips for keeping your pets safe.

-Keep them leashed and supervise when outdoors.
-Remove bird feeders.   They attract small birds and mice which in tern attract raptors.
-Put hhiny objects that move out of the yard, such as silver streamers.   They will scare off the birds.
-Build a pen with a wire mesh for your pet to play.
So keep your pets safe, have a great weekend and remember SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.  Which means traffic.   Yeah!