TUTO ITALIANO

Who’s the real big cheese???

OK, so my abs aren’t exactly washboards but I have a good excuse. I am addicted to cheese! Hey, there are worse addictions, right?! RIGHT? Anyway, so when I’m not hanging at Lucy’s Whey in East Hampton (I would go to the one in Sag Harbor but I find them nasty and wayyyyyyy overpriced) which is THE BEST CHEESE SHOP on the east end, I’m hitting Citarella’s Tutto Italiano on 27 for what has to be the best mozzarella ever!!! It’s freshly made by Luigi every Thursday through Sunday. If you’re thinking fresh mozzarella big deal, don’t judge until you’ve tried. It is really amazing!!! Don’t waste your cheese on a pizza or something like that … it’s meant to be eaten with a fresh tomato or just by itself.

Speaking of pizza don’t bother with the pizza at Tutto Italiano, I was once a huge fan of theirs but they’ve gone wayyy downhill. Also, the guy who makes them is one of the nastiest people I’ve ever come across. He’s always nasty!! He’s the Soup Nazi of pizza, only his pizzas aren’t’ that good!!! So, real quick… who does have good pizza in the Hamptons? It’s a tie for a quick slice, Conca Dora in Sag Harbor is the best along with La Parmagina in Southampton. The best restaurant pizza is Sam’s in East Hampton. A thin crispy crust and just the perfect combination of cheese and sauce. That’s just my two cents. The most disappointing pizza is the new Mezzaluna in Amagansett. It wasn’t bad.. but for about $20 for a small personal pizza and a 45 minute wait (after being quoted 15 minutes) it should be great! So that’s my two cents for today.

If you have an opinion, let me know. I keep meeting people who say they read my blog and miss it. Well I’m back but I don’t know you’re reading unless you comment!!! Thanks!!!

Week 2 of summer 2009….

Artist John Kneapler and Sotheby’s (the real Sotheby’s not the franchised real estate company) Benjamin Dollar

It was a busy day yesterday for me. My small outdoor cookout somehow ended up with 12 people for a sit down dinner. I just don’t know how things like this happen. In this summer… casual cookouts… OUT .. sit down dinners.. but more on that in a minute.

I began the evening in Sag Harbor. My friend John Kneapler had his opening night reception for his collection “Hampton Beaches” at THE GALLERY, 125 Main St., Sag Harbor. Congrats John on a great show!!! I won’t dare make any
comments about your work… although I was really impressed. My idea of art still consists of the B+W framed photos at Pottery Barn Outlet. So, what I will do is a little critique on the food and wine from last night. The cheese was sublime and the chardonnay had a buttery, earthy and rich taste, not your typical sweet California Chardonnay. It had more of an organic flavor and a fuller texture.

In the meantime.. go see John’s work it’s really quite special. His show runs at THE GALLERY til July 5th. http://www.thegallerysagharbor.com/

Well the trends for the summer of ’09 are already establishing themselves… I hope to update you more and more as the summer progresses.

-IN
Shopping at Tommy Hilfiger in EH!

-OUT
Buying at Tommy Hilfiger in EH!

-IN
Citarella’s in Bridgehampton

-OUT
King Kullen

– IN
Enjoying LIFE!

– OUT
Crossing the streets in East Hampton Village without looking!

-In
Peanut Butter (Natural)

-Out
Jams and Jelly – hello?! The Carbs!

-In
Madonna spottings and paparazzi attacks

-Out
Madonna’s music

– In
Georgica Saturday Night

– Out
The Hess Station Wainscott Saturday Night

-IN
BCBG Max Azria & J Crew

-OUT
Elie Tahari and Theory

-IN
Tuto Italiano’s Pizza

-OUT
Frozen Tombstone from Walbaum’s

-IN
The new spin bikes at Zone Hampton

-OUT
Riding a bike on the shoulder of 27 not realizing the drivers are busy texting on their phones!!

So there you have the current trends… More to come and this week.. the latest on RUGOSA, BLUE PARROTT AND SOME GOOD REAL ESTATE DEALS!