Movies And A Dinner

Check Out These Places To Eat During The Film Festival

Film buffs will take over the Hamptons during the 33rd Hamptons International Film Festival October 3rd to 13th. New films will be attracting crowds at the East Hampton movie theater and some other nearby venues. But you’ll need to eat before or after or in between screenings. Whether you’re hankering for a burger or a pizza or an extravagant steak with a side of celebrity sightings, there are plenty of options – some within walking distance of the theater. 

Just steps from the East Hampton movie theater, the newish Village Bistro is tucked into the secluded corner of Main Street occupied for years by Rowdy Hall. Romantic string lights, bistro chairs and a cheerful striped awning are welcoming. The bistro menu is mostly American though there are a few French touches like French onion soup, escargot, and profiteroles. But there are burgers, lobster rolls, and roast chicken and other crowd pleasers like fried calamari and pasta Bolognese. Dean Sayles is culinary director. There’s a happy hour and a generous wine and beer list.

On Newtown Lane in East Hampton easy walking distance from the movie theater, Cittanuova is a Milanese style trattoria offering  contemporary Italian cuisine and such a copious  array of thin crust pizzas they merit a separate menu. Shaved Brussels sprouts or roasted artichokes are outstanding salads along with a traditional Caesar. Appetizers include calamari and zucchini fritti, grilled octopus, and arancini. Pastas range from linguine alle vongole and meaty Garganelli Bolognese. Main courses allow diners a budget friendly burger or an extravagant veal chop. The family friendly restaurant offers a special kids menu. The interior is light and airy with a garden view.

The Palm is tucked away at the historic Huntting Inn on Main Street in East Hampton. Don’t let the bucolic setting fool you. Its offerings are just as urbane as in their many city locations. Steak is the star at this steakhouse whether prime rib eye, prime NY strip or center cut filet. But there are also veal chops lamb chops, seafood, and pasta and for starters there are oysters, calamari fritti, shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, tomato and onion salad. Sides include obligatory hashbrowns, and creamed spinach. There’s a happy hour with bar bites and specially priced beer, wine, and cocktails from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday. The original owners Pio Bozzi ad John Ganzi came to New York from Parma, Italy in 1926. Parma was registered as Palm due to their thick Italian accents and the name stuck. Today the chain is owned by Houston-based Landry’s and has over 30 locations nationwide.

Nick & Toni’s was opened in 1988 on North Main Steet in East Hampton and its appealing Tuscan farmhouse setting has been attracting an A-list crowd ever since. The vibe is see and be seen.  While it’s likely that some stars attending the Hamptons Film Festival might choose to dine here, there’s no guarantee. 

What is guaranteed is that the food will be simple and fresh as it would be in Italy There are refreshing starters such as Panzanella salad  and red shrimp crudo and a selection of pastas but the stars are the meat and fish roasted in the wood burning oven. The Berkshire pork chop is accompanied with wilted greens and peach mostarda while Yukon gold potatoes, pancetta, roasted garlic and rosemary jus enhance the roasted chicken.