Festive Feasts

The holidays are a busy season for restaurants. The atmosphere is festive and diners are primed to celebrate. Here are some favorite spots that fill the bill.

Feniks
Feniks, the new fine-dining restaurant opened by esteemed Southampton chef Duglas Gulija, will celebrate the feast of the seven fishes on Christmas Eve kicking off with Montauk pearl oysters, vodka crème fraiche, and Siberian caviar. Feniks, the Croatian spelling of Phoenix which celebrates renewal, is a career renewal for Gulija, after 28 years’ operating the now-closed Plaza Café. Gulija partnered with his cousin Skip Norsic to nod to their Croatian roots. The dazzling two-story space accommodates three distinct dining experiences: a six-seat chef’s counter with an 8-course tasting menu, an ala carte dining room, and a lounge offering craft cocktails and light bites. “The consensus from our guests has been ‘there’s nothing like it in the Hamptons.,’” says Gulija. Soothing tones of taupe, charcoal, and cream are accented by a stunning bronze beam architectural feature that begins at the chef’s counter and rises up two levels. The largely seafood-driven menu features the likes of Columbia River King Salmon with saffron-mussel broth and swordfish chop tagine.

Almond
Bridgehampton’s Almond Restaurant will produce its 25th Annual Christmas Eve Suckling pig roast for $49. A portion of the revenue will be donated to OLA (Organizacion Latino Americana) of Long Island.  For accompaniments, “We might do a Central American vibe this year,” says executive chef/co-founder Jason Weiner. “It makes sense given our commitment to OLA. 

Think black beans (we get those from Balsam Farms in Amagansett), house made tortillas (made by the many awesome moms we have working for us), adobo made with dried Chiles from Feathertop Farms in East Hampton.” The ala carte menu will also be available so customers can dine on moules frites or upstate duck breast adobo instead of roast pig. The back wall adorned with red jumping-zebra wallpaper is a fitting background for the lively atmosphere. And it can be counted on to bring a smile to customers’ faces, especially if they remember it from the late lamented Gino of Capri on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. “The Scalamandre wallpaper is an homage,” explains Weiner. “It’s not the actual wallpaper that hung at Gino, just the same pattern.” 

LDV at The Maidstone
East Hampton’s Maidstone has a 150 year history but in 2024 it got an Italian style makeover from LDV Hospitality. LDV stands for La Dolce Vita. Think an Aperitivo hour and Italian coastal cuisine. The raw bar highlights oysters, crudo, and tuna tartare. The menu crafted by chef Jorge Espinoza of Scarpetta offers grilled octopus and prawns, branzino, farm-raised chicken and braised beef short ribs. House made pastas include spaghetti alla Nerano with fried zucchini and provolone and cappallacci cacio e pepe with brown butter and sage.  The restaurant is open for dinner off season Thursday to Saturday.

Bridgehampton Inn 
Something about an historical building evokes the spirit of Christmas. Though Bridgehampton Inn Restaurant  itself is only celebrating its 11th year, the adjacent bar is located in the original 1795 tavern room outfitted with a magnificent hand-crafted walnut table. The restaurant décor juxtaposes contemporary orange vinyl chairs with black and white portraits of Bridgehampton’s’ agrarian history. Chef Alejandro Osorio combines modern French and European influences with local farm to table touches. Menu items include Faeroe Island salmon with Champagne beurre blanc,  Chitarra pasta with duck Bolognese, and poached lobster with leek fondue. Loaves and Fishes family member and partner Kyle curates the bar menu creating imaginative cocktails. Breakfast is also served daily.