Hamptons Holiday Dining: A Gourmet Experience

Dining in the Hamptons is a culinary delight, especially during the holidays. With the abundance of local produce, fresh seafood, and fine wines, dining out in the Hamptons is a gourmet experience. Here is a sampling of some of the best restaurants open year-round in the Hamptons.

Overlooking Shinnecock Bay, Edgewater Restaurant is located at 295 East Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays. Owned by chef John Venesina, it opened in 1999. Featuring Italian cuisine in a casual environment, their specialties are Linguinette Clam Sauce, Veal Saltimboca, Braised Beef Short Ribs, and Double-Cut Lamb Chops. They serve local bay scallops and shuck local bay clams daily. They feature live music every Friday night. On New Year’s Eve enjoy the DJ and special prix fixe menu with a champagne toast. Ranked #1 for Restaurants in Hampton Bays by TripAdvisor and voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” for “Best Italian Cuisine.” Open year-round, except February. www.edgewaterrestaurant.com

The Plaza Café, located at 61 Hill Street in Southampton, is owned by chef Doug Gulija since 1997. Known for seafood, their signature dish is Lobster and Shrimp Shepherd’s Pie. Also try their Pumpkin-Lobster Bisque. Their dining room has a cozy ambiance with a full bar and wood-burning fireplace. Enjoy their “Feast of Seven Fishes” on Christmas Eve with seven unique fish preparations. For New Year’s Eve, they will offer two prix fixe menus. Also serving brunch on New Year’s Day. Newsday named it “Best Seafood Restaurant on Long Island” in 2013. Also rated one of the 10 Best Restaurants in the Hamptons by Zagat in 2013. www.plazacafe.us

75 Main Restaurant and Lounge, located at 75 Main Street in Southampton, is owned by Zach Erdem and opened in 2009. Featuring American/Italian cuisine in a friendly dining room and bar area, usually filled with celebrities in the summer. Specialties include Halibut, Filet Mignon, Porterhouse, and Prime Rib by chef Mark Militello. They have a DJ on Friday and Saturday nights, and will be serving a special prix fixe menu on Christmas Eve. For New Year’s Eve, enjoy a prix fixe menu, champagne toast, and party with a live band and three DJs. Voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” in seven categories, including, “Best Chef, Mark Militello.” www.75main.com

Almond Bridgehampton opened in 2001 and relocated to One Ocean Road in Bridgehampton in 2011. Co-owned by chef Jason Weiner and Eric Lemonides, it features American/French “Farm to Table” cuisine in a decorative dining room with a bar. Using locally sourced ingredients, their specialties include Steamed Mussels and Roast Chicken. Their Christmas Eve Dinner features a “Big Pig Roast.” Enjoy their New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance Party. Voted Dan’s Papers 2013 “BEST OF THE BEST” for “Best French Cuisine.” Newsday named it “One of the 10 Best New American Restaurants on Long Island” in 2013. www.almondrestaurant.com 

Topping Rose House is located at One Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton, in a Greek Revival-style mansion built for Judge Abraham Topping Rose in 1842. Opened in 2012 by Bill Campbell and Simon Critchell, the Chef/Operator is Tom Colicchio and Ty Kotz is the Chef de Cuisine. They feature American “Farm to Table” fare in a warm dining room with a bar and two fireplaces. Enjoy their Peconic Bay scallops with cardoons. Their Christmas Eve menu presents “Fritto Misto,” or fried local fish and seafood. Their Christmas Day menu features Prime Rib and their New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu includes Caviar, Lobster, and Beef Short Ribs, with a celebratory toast. Also serving a New Year’s Day brunch. Won “Culinary Gems” category in Fodor’s 100 Hotel Awards in 2013. Newsday named it “Best International Restaurant on Long Island” in 2013. www.toppingrosehouse.com

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Nick & Toni’s, located at 136 North Main Street in East Hampton is co-owned by Toni Ross and Mark Smith. They feature a Mediterranean Italian cuisine in a chic ambiance with three dining rooms and a bar area. Specialties by chef Joseph Realmuto include Wood Oven Roasted Chicken, Wood Oven Roasted Whole Fish, and Penne alla Vecchia Bettola. Enjoy their à la carte holiday specials on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve along with a special Sparkling Cocktail. Won Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” in 2007. Newsday named it “One of the 10 Best Italian Restaurants on Long Island” in 2013. www.nickandtonis.com

The Salted Fig is a Southampton based food business that was started in 2013 by Megan Miller and Zuzia Wierczorek. They specialize in catering, private cooking classes, as well as meal delivery options for lunch and dinner. The two owners both grew up in Southampton and after spending time away, with Megan in California, and Zuzia in Colorado, they reconnected upon returning to their hometown over their passion for cooking and love of food. They decided to start their own business venture recognizing the need to provide better options for the health conscious consumer, with an emphasis on using organic and locally sourced ingredients. [email protected], 631-897-1433 or 631-455-3250.

Dining in the Hamptons is an epicurean experience, especially during the holidays. Enjoy the fabulous cuisine at the many fine restaurants throughout the Hamptons.

Ruth Thomas, a freelance writer on the East End enjoys history, music, literature, art, nature, the beach, and her cute dachshund, Clancy. She can be contacted at [email protected]