A Taste Of Summer

From coastal classics to bold new openings, we’re serving up the flavors, chefs, and hotspots defining the East End scene this season

Surfs up! Traffic is snarled! Beaches are heavenly! Sunsets are sensational! It’s summer in the Hamptons.

Dan’s Rosé Soirée kicks off the season on Memorial Day Weekend at the Southampton Arts Center. It will be followed by a new Fourth of July event called red wine, white wine and beer forward.

This season will see the return The Hamptons Fine Art Fair (HFAF) from July 10–13. 

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the season will be punctuated by charity fundraisers, cookouts, wine tastings, art shows, wellness programs, yoga, and summer romance but everybody has to eat. Restaurants are firing up their ranges. Bartenders are shaking up cocktails and more and more mocktails.

“The demand for summering in the Hamptons remains high, ensuring a solid business season,” says Mark Smith, owner of Honest Man Restaurants (Nick & Toni’s, Rowdy Hall, and others). 

Just being near the ocean whets the appetite for seafood, preferably eaten with spectacular sunset views. In East Hampton, casual Bostwick’s on the Harbor offers local seafood and stunning sunsets. The more upmarket SiSi Mediterranean Restaurant, accessible by boat, elevates dining in East Hampton’s Springs area. Tuna tartare, striped bass or halibut compliments a crisp white as you watch the sun sink below the horizon on Three Mile Harbor. At the adjoining EHP Resort & Marina guests are treated to complimentary rides aboard the 40-foot luxury yacht Van Dutch.

In Sag Harbor, The Beacon offers spectacular sunset views. Across the street Sag Harbor Tavern (sister to Red Hook Tavern) looks forward to knocking it out of the park in its second season with its famous $30 cheeseburger. The first Sunset Music of the Season will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday May 23 at the Wolffér Estates wine stand in Sagaponack.

There are plenty of sunset watching opportunities out in Montauk where surfing and fishing are added attractions as well as a lively party scene. International flair is on offer at Mostrador at the newish Marram resort where a chef and restaurateur behind popular restaurants in Uruguay and Argentina hold sway. 

Chef Jared McCarroll sails into his second season at Ocean Club Montauk at the Montauk Yacht Club which boasts the largest marina in the Hamptons with 200 wet slips and a new state of the art spa.

Ever popular Duryea’s added four stand-alone Sunset Cottages last season in July. Corporate chef Philippe Corbet oversees all the food operations in Montauk as well as at the Orient Point location and LuLu in Sag Harbor. The generous lobster roll will always be a best seller but there are clams and oysters and a soaring seafood tower.

Casa Serena will feed the Page Six celebs, political progeny and other party goers at the Surf Lodge where Chef Robert Sieber rides the range.  

Navy Beach is known for prime sunset views and one of the largest selections of rosé wines in the Hamptons. 

Refreshed Sole East now includes a warm and summery feel with natural shades of white and dark wood, seagrass chairs, and ambient lighting. 

The Montauk Beach House Bar & Grill now has a Greek accent with Molyvos alum Andres Zeron. 

Cocktails and conversations don’t always require a sunset view. In the village of Southampton, 75 Main (“Serving the Hamptons”) is a celebrity magnet—no water view needed.  Tony Sant Ambroeus has opened an outpost in East Hampton. Highly regarded Mexican chef Julian Medina will continue to make a splash with El Verano whose décor evokes Mexican summer vacation homes. New additions are an outdoor El Verano Taco Lot and El Farm Market selling prepared foods to go. In June chef/restaurateur Douglas Gulija, formerly of The Plaza Café, will open Feniks (the Croatian spelling of Phoenix). The Lobster Roll Restaurant (aka Lunch) touts itself as “the place where summer never ends!”

Most enduring of all in East Hampton is Nick & Toni’s  which opened in 1988. It never fails to please or to attract celebrities with its Italian-Mediterranean cuisine, much of it cooked in a wood oven. Milanese style trattoria Cittanuova attracts locals year round.

A new kid on the block, Camp Rubirosa will pop up in the former home of the Laundry on Race Lane. In June, Majestas and Altamarea Group bring Crazy Pizza to East Hampton  at 47 Montauk Highway. 

In Bridgehampton, Jean-Georges’ Topping Rose House, Pierre’s, Almond, Yama Q, and Bobby Van’s continue to attract. Last season welcomed Arthur & Sons from Michelin star chef Joe Isidori. Guests can expect classic Italian American dishes such as chicken parmigiana and shrimp scampi.

Farther east in Amagansett, the ever popular Rowdy Hall has relocated from East Hampton but retains the Rowdy burger, French onion soup, and fish and chips as well as its strong beer program. Top notch Fini Pizza was opened year before last by Sean Feeney. Il Buco is not just a place to eat but also to shop for beautiful tableware imported from Italy. Coche Comedor, presents a full Mexican menu from tuna tacos to apricot-tamarind duck. Carissa’s is THE bakery. It also has a new branch in Sag Harbor. Meeting House goes into its second season in Amagansett Square with an eclectic crowd pleasing menu. The Clam Bar re-opens with a new mobile Shuck Truck for private parties.

Houses, whether owned or rented, have always been THE place to stay but there are now a number of desirable hotel options for shorter stays

In Sag Harbor, Baron’s Cove’s 67 rooms offer harbor or village views.

In Hampton Bays, recently restored Canoe Place Inn & Cottages joins the party with its Good Ground Tavern, a new concert venue called Front Row Canoe, and  a beach butler service. 

Renovated Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Saltwater Spa is the only luxury ocean front hotel and it boasts a spectacular beach.

This season will see new restaurants Gigi’s Montauk and Gigi’s Café. Gigi’s Montauk will feature fresh coastal cuisine from executive chef Justin Lee, formerly of Mina Group. Il replaces Scarpetta Beach.

Not all of the eating takes place in restaurants. This summer season is looking busier than ever,” says Art of Eating’s Cheryl Stair who was already booking catered parties back in March, “and we’re continuing to book more and MORE.” She predicts “a lot of dinner by the bite rather than seated dinners.” The caterer has added the Montauk Manor to its roster of wedding venues.

And now pizza is having a moment on the catered party scene with the Motorino Neapolitan Pizza Trailer coming out to the Hamptons.

If there’s an overload of partying and dining, the peaceful gardens at Longhouse Reserve are a welcome respite. Other gardens worth a detour are the Madoo Conservancy and Bridge Gardens.

For a dose of culture check out a quality production at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor or the Hampton Theater Company in Quogue or visit the Parish Art Museum in Water Mill.

The Hampton Classic horse show over Labor Day weekend is the biggest social bash of all. Trust the horsey set to present the season’s grandest grand finale.

Beverly Stephen writes about design, food, travel, and lifestyle. She is co-owner of Flavor Forays, a culinary travel company.