Shop Smart

Where to Shop on the East End for Your Holiday Dinner

The holidays are the best time of year to show your appreciation to the local shop owners, producers, and growers. Planning a magnificent holiday feast? Shop for your pastries, party platters, birds, and even stocks locally. Not only can some of the East End’s outstanding specialty shops help lighten the load, but they also offer some of the best products around. Whether you need a little assistance pulling off your dinner masterpiece or you’re just looking to source outstanding products, look to these spots for delicious foods that will not disappoint. 

In addition to Roman-style pizzas, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and a selection of made-to-order coffees, the new-to-town Main Street Market, in Southampton, is a great place for shoppers seeing out a bottle of boutique wine, sausages or cheese for a pre-meal charcuterie platter, or any other odd or end that may help spruce up the holiday meal. The market also sells fresh focaccia — flavors may vary, but the rosemary and potato and onion are both stars — which are great as accompaniments with cheese. Serve them, too, in lieu of Parker House rolls and make your holiday table just a little more unforgettable. 

Also new to Southampton this year: Barryville General, a store that offers a little bit of everything. In addition to their selection of completely organic produce, Barryville General — an offshoot of the store that began in Barryville, New York — carries specialty products, like ghost pepper oil, from Kensington Food Co.; raw chocolate, from Rawmantic Chocolate; and prepared foods, like soups and stocks. Frequent marketers can even pick up a handy woven basket for all their trips to the local stores. 

Bridgehampton’s L&W Market remains a must-visit during the holiday food shopping season. Those looking to lighten the load can check the store’s catering menu online; L&W offers hors d’oeuvres, cheese and charcuterie platters, salads, sides for a crowd, and entrees — including roast chicken with lemon and smoked paprika, roasted lobster with tarragon butter, and red wine-braised brisket. A comprehensive pantry makes shopping a one-stop affair. Pick up a fresh baguette, homemade stock, marinated meat, and all the kimchi your heart desires. 

Alpina Swiss Bakery, in Water Mill, brings a touch of the Alps to the East End. In addition to Burli — a traditional Swiss bread — quiche, and Sacher-Torte chocolate cake, the bakery makes both Linzer and Zuger Kirsch Tarts. The former is a nine-inch raspberry tart, while the latter is a boozy tart flavored with Kirsch (so much so that you must be 21 years old to order it). 

Don’t forget the bird, of course. If it’s turkey you’re after, you can special-order yours from Mecox Bay Dairy in early fall. Birds begin at 14 to 16 pounds. The Bridgehampton-based farm is also known for their artisan line of cheeses, including the Atlantic Mist, the Farmhouse Cheddar, the Mecox Sigit, the Shawondasee, and the Young Sigit, all of which are ideal for a diverse, delicious, and locally focused cheese board. Buy them at the contact-free farm store on Mecox Road in Bridgehampton.