Dinner With A View

From Amalfi dreams in Hampton Bays to waterfront feasts in Montauk, these destination restaurants pair bold coastal flavors with golden hour views you won’t forget.

Sweeping sunset views translate to the toughest  dinner reservations. There’s something about those vibrant orange skies that makes diners feel like they’re on vacation whether right here in the Hamptons or even in some more remote exotic locations. Restaurants play along with coastal décor and mostly Mediterranean menus promising the freshest fish and seafood. Start with some local ice cold oysters and a glass of rose!

Amalfi Coastal Kitchen & Cocktails sails into its second season in Hampton Bays inviting guests to fantasize they’re on this storied Italian coast. Owner Salvator Biundo is from Sicily but says his favorite part of Italy is the Amalfi Coast.  Sipping an Aperol Spritz as you would in Positano transfixed by a stunning sunset over Shinnecock Bay, it’s easy to buy into the fantasy. You’ll be helped along by the freshest seafood, pasta such as crab malfadini or  chicken Milanese. The white tablecloth dining room is light and bright. Outdoors, an expansive lawn is outfitted with picnic tables. A more casual family friendly menu is offered and there is freedom for the kids to run around and maybe even build a sand castle. 

Stylish open-air SiSi Mediterranean Restaurant, where it’s possible to arrive by yacht, elevates dining in the Springs section of East Hampton. Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, the EHP Resort & Marina waterfront restaurant dips into the cuisines of Italy, Spain, Greece, and Morocco with its signature paella, grilled octopus and mezze platters. A new menu will now also feature sushi and sashimi, as well as experiential dishes like the 36 oz Swinging Wagyu Tomahawk Steak carved tableside, salt crusted Branzino, and gelato tower. Fashionable guests with a crisp white or a craft cocktail in hand enjoy the epic sunsets over Three Mile Harbor. Weekend brunches and DJ nights are popular.

Wayan & Ma*De from Ochi and Cedric Vongerichten (yes, he is Jean-Georges’ son) will bring exotic Indonesian-French fare popularized in their Manhattan locations to the EHP Resort & Marina property for the summer season. They replace Sunset Harbor Bistro but not the magnificent sunset views over Three Mile Harbor. The restaurants are an homage to Ochi’s Indonesian roots. Sunset bites from 4 to 6 p.m. include  oysters with chili-Lime mignonette, popcorn shrimp with sambal oelek, and warm Balinese lobster roll. For dinner: tuna tartare with green chili sambal and avocado, crab fried rice with kerupuk and cilantro, and whole black sea bass with sambal tomato.

Chef Jared McCarroll rides the range at Ocean Club at the Montauk Yacht Club which officially reopened this season after a multi-million dollar renovation. McCarrol reimagined an East Coast version of his now  closed Ocean Club St. Barth’s. The 4,500 square foot space boasts the largest open kitchen in the Hamptons. Seafood stars on the menu: scallop crudo, sea bass tartare, lobster pasta, halibut with a yogurt emulsion and scallops served over a corn medley with onion, bacon and jalapeno. That’s not to say you can’t have a steak. All this with expansive views over the largest marina in the Hamptons with 232 boat slips.

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