Summer Kicks off in the Hamptons

The summer of 2017 is heating up in the Hamptons with several trendy new restaurants opening up. In Sag Harbor, a new bistro features woodburning cuisine. In East Hampton, feast at a French Tavern, or try southern Italian cooking. Relish the menu at a summer pop-up restaurant, whose main restaurant in New York City received the No. 1 spot on the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurant list. In the Springs, find comfort in an American pub-style Tavern. In Amagansett, discover another new eatery owned by a famous South Fork vineyard. There will be plenty of appetizing new fare to indulge in on the East End this summer.

Marc Rowan, the billionaire co-founder of Apollo Global Management, whose new hospitality group, Montauk Asset Holdings (MAH) bought Duryea’s Lobster Deck in 2014 and Arbor last spring in Montauk, just opened Lulu Kitchen & Bar at 126 Main Street in Sag Harbor this April. The bistro features “woodburning cuisine,” prepared by French-trained Chef Philippe Corbet. The restaurant has casual dining in the front with a view of the bustling main street through its French doors, table clothed dining in the back, and an outdoor deck. An open kitchen showcases the woodburning grill and oven with a homemade bread station and open garde manger station for preparing cold items. The menu specializes in local fare, including seafood platters with Montauk Pearl oysters, topneck clams, tuna tartare, and duck leg confit with frisee salad. A delectable selection of wood fired pizzas will top off the menu. Managing Director, Steven Jauffrineau says, “We are thrilled to join the Sag Harbor community and are excited to offer seasonal dishes from our custom woodburning grill and oven.” Open year-round.

Terry Harwood and his wife Lisa Murphy, owners of Vine Street Café on Shelter Island for over a decade, are opening up another restaurant in East Hampton called Cove Hollow Tavern at 85 Montauk Highway in June. The new restaurant will feature French inspired dishes prepared by Chef Terry Harwood in a French Tavern ambience favoring local ingredients and local wines. The 40-seat restaurant also has a bar area. The dark wood décor reflects a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Terry and Lisa say, “We’re focusing on Surf and Earth at the new restaurant with a French Tavern menu that features sustainable seafood, local produce, and responsibly raised meats.” Open year-round.

Larry and Maria Baum with Chef Maurizio Marfoglia, co-owners of Dopo La Spiaggia in Sag Harbor that opened last summer, opened their second restaurant at 31 Race Lane in East Hampton, six months ago. The 136-seat eatery is larger than the Sag Harbor locale featuring an indoor fireplace and outdoor seating area and bar. The new Dopo La Spiaggia, Italian for “After the Beach” features Chef Maurizio Marfoglia’s southern Italian style cooking using locally sourced ingredients for his signature dishes. Many of the popular dishes offered in Sag Harbor such as the Crudo (scallop crudo, caviar, sea beans, and lemon) and the Branzino (poached sea bass, tomatoes, spinach, and white wine) are also featured on the East Hampton menu. “Now both in Sag Harbor and East Hampton we’ve got the very essence of Italy, with an extremely high level of locally-sourced food and a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere for people to enjoy,” say Maria and Larry Baum. Open year-round.

Swiss Chef Daniel Humm and his business partner and restaurateur Will Guidara, co-owners of Eleven Madison Park in New York City for 11 years, named this year’s No. 1 spot on the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurant list, will be opening up a summer pop-up restaurant called EMP Summer House at 341 Pantigo Road in East Hampton in late June. Predominately reservations based, a locally sourced seafood-centric à la carte menu will be offered including pastas, steaks, flatbreads, and more. The restaurant will have both indoor and outdoor seating available. The pop-up restaurant will be out East this summer only while Eleven Madison Park is being renovated in NYC. Daniel and Will remark, “We wanted EMP Summer House to be the type of restaurant we would want to visit in the summer – with a laid back atmosphere featuring delicious food and drinks served with gracious hospitality.” Open June 24 through Labor Day.

Restaurateurs Dan and Charlene DeSmet just opened The Springs Tavern this March at 15 Fort Pond Blvd. in East Hampton. The Tavern has history in the walls – artists Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock were regulars back in the day. Formerly Wolfie’s Tavern, which closed in 2016, Springs Tavern will continue the tradition of a comfortable tavern atmosphere. Featuring good food with a full broadcast of sporting events on the many televisions throughout the space. Chef Michael Ruggiero has prepared an American pub-style menu using local ingredients for seasonal soups, salads, and fresh fish. Also popular are burgers, fish tacos, and Tavern wings. Local artists’ work and historic prints adorn the walls. Dan and Charlene say, “We are so happy to see families returning to this historic venue after so many years. This location has served the community in multiple rolls over the past 80+ years. We are hoping to provide the Springs and East Hampton with a true neighborhood experience.” Open year-round.

Marc and Joey Wölffer, co-owners of Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, founded by their late father, Christian Wölffer, opened their first restaurant Wölffer Kitchen Sag Harbor in 2015. This May they launched a second restaurant, Wölffer Kitchen Amagansett at 4 Amagansett Square. Brian Cheewing is the chef at both locations. Offering “Coastal American” cuisine, Wölffer Kitchen Amagansett’s focus is on local, fresh, seasonal, and ultimately wine-friendly food. Alden Fenwick, Sag Harbor-based designer, created a colorful and lively space in the Amagansett eatery, embracing the outdoors and the winery’s trademark modern graphics, with oversight from Joey Wölffer. “Launching a second restaurant is a natural next step,” says Marc Wölffer. “As our brand continues to grow, we wanted to embrace the community further out on the East End, while at the same time, offer a more casual dining experience. We love the Amagansett Square location because of its family-friendly and community spirit.” Open year-round.

As summer gets into full swing, enjoy the many cool new dining spots in the Hamptons. Whether coastal American, southern Italian, French inspired, or an American pub, restaurants in the Hamptons are trending towards using mainly locally sourced ingredients from the farms, vineyards, and sea. While savoring the new gourmet tastes of the Hamptons, experience the world-class beaches, chic villages, and fashionable shops that make the Hamptons a spectacular summer oasis.