Eat Your Heart Out

A new season is here, and that means new places to eat.

Summer is back on the East End, and with it all the news of openings, re-openings, and refreshers for the season. Although we don’t yet know about all the pop-ups and new hot spots that this season will bring, we do know about a few emerging new — and re-framed — spots in the Hamptons that you’ll want to make sure you get to this season. It’s time to get eating on the East End, and there are some exciting things brewing. 

New to the Hamptons this year: the award-winning Motorino Pizzeria Napoletana, which is expanding out East with a custom-built, wood-fired pizza trailer that will be available for on-demand pizza parties. The pizza company was founded in 2008 by Chef Mathieu Palombino in New York City and has since brought its Neapolitan pies around the world, to places like Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, Dubai, and Kuala Lampur. 

Pizzas are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and signature menus include pizzas like the classic Margherita; the Soppressata Piccante, with fior di latte mozzarella, spicy soppressata, Calabrian chili, and fresh oregano; a Brussels sprout pizza; and a Cherrystone clam pizza, made with fresh-shucked local clams and oreganata butter. Guests can also order antipasti (heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella; Yukon gold potato salad with celery and capers; pork meatballs braised in tomato sauce; fried calamari), a prosciutto station, and an Italian gelato cart featuring six artisanal gelato and sorbetto flavors — along with homemade tiramisu. 

It’s not entirely new, but it’s still creating buzz. In the fall, Rowdy Hall, the East Hampton veteran, relocated to Main Street in Amagansett. Owned and operated by the Honest Man Hospitality team, who also owns and operates Nick & Toni’s, Coche Comedor, La Fondita, and Townline BBQ, Rowdy Hall continues to serve some of the classics that made it a popular destination for 26 years in its previous location. 

But new items have also arrived on the menu, and the spring and summer menus will evolve, too. Rowdy 2.0 now features dishes like roasted codfish brandade with beurre blanc and wilted greens, a duck and smoked pork cassoulet with white beans and Halsey apples, and a cider-brined Berkshire pork chop with red cabbage and mustard sauce. The restaurant has also added a “boards” section, featuring a selection of charcuterie items that can be customized for snacking. 

In the fall, Hampton Eats, the Hamptons’ first multi-vendor eatery, launched in East Hampton. The project was spearheaded by food operator Rashid Sulehri and real-estate developer Adam Potter. It’s a one-stop-shop where hungry diners can find, say, jelly-stuffed croissants from the Montauk Bake Shoppe, pizza from Paul’s, and sandwiches from Villa Italian Specialties. 

In addition to participating vendors — besides the aforementioned, vendors include Beach Bakery & Grand Café, Stuart’s Seafood, Hampton Coffee, and Eli’s Breads — shoppers can find a self-serve frozen yogurt station, bubble tea, fresh fruit, smoothies, juices, pre-packaged local products, and a nascent Mediterranean menu, which will launch in time for the summer season.