Posts Tagged ‘The Hamptons’

Touring the North Fork and the Hamptons Wine Trails

It’s a beautiful time to be outdoors, and the vineyards of The North Fork and the Hamptons in New York offer the perfect opportunity for socially distant enjoyment. The vineyards are open for tastings, some by reservation only, and some still offering outdoor seating. The selection of whites, reds and rosés varies, and each has some limited-edition wines on offer. If you discover a new favorite, I advise you to buy some bottles to take home.

The North Fork

Croteaux

Croteaux

For a touch of romance, Croteaux will transport you to Provence in an instant. Off the main drag, away from the other vineyards lining the route from Riverhead to Greenport, Croteaux is a smaller oasis with beautiful grounds and a very private setting for enjoying rosés and nibbles. Rosé is all they produce here, and you can get a flight ranging from white rosé to sparkling that will open your eyes and taste buds to more rosé nuances than you might have known. Tables in the romantic garden are set next to small open-air salon-like rooms and the Tasting Barn.

Kontakosta

Kontakosta

The North Fork’s only waterfront vineyard and one of the area’s most exclusive sits a ways off the main Wine Trail as well. Requiring reservations and an initial booking fee, Kontakosta is in its own league when it comes to vineyards. At the moment, no tastings are available so you’ll need to purchase a bottle, which, together with the price of a glass, can be rather pricy. But, as the adage goes, you get what you pay for. Kontakosta’s white Anemometer  is a crisp blend of viognier and chardonnay that’s perfect with the area’s seafood and befits its maritime location. The setting is gorgeous, you’ll be socially distanced, and where else can you sip your wine and have a view of the bluffs of Long Island Sound?

RGNY

RGNY

The Rivero González family and winemaker Lilia Perez of RGNY have their birth roots in Mexico but their winemaking firmly planted in the North Fork. Set in Riverhead on an expansive plot of land, RGNY offers an exciting option for those looking to expand their wine knowledge. Wines include white merlot, cabernet franc, pinot noir and viognier. But here you’ll find that the tastes and textures might be a bit different from what you know. The pinot noir and cabernet franc, for instance, are unfiltered, creating a nose, color and body that isn’t the expected. Live music is presented outdoors in warmer weather and provides a lively accompaniment for enjoying the vineyard’s artisanal charcuterie and cheese plates. Look for new vintages to come as Perez takes her Bordeaux training and Mexican heritage and mixes it with the terroir of the North Fork to create orange wines in amphora and more.

Pindar Vineyards

Pindar Vineyards

Now in its 40th year, Pindar Vineyards is quite an entity with acres of vineyards and a tasting room and outdoor area as expansive as you’ll find on the North Fork.  Long Island’s most well-known wine producer, Pindar is family-owned and overseen by

Barbara and Pindar Damianos, keeping alive the vision and traditions begun by Barbara’s husband Dan Damianos. As with Duck Walk, labels on Pindar vintages are works of art, and you should spend some time perusing the bottles and cans (yes, they have wine in cans!) as you decide what to sample. The knowledgeable servers will arrange a tasting for you with a range of the vineyard’s whites, reds and rosés.  Ask for recommendations — Pindar grows 17 varieties of grapes, producing some 23 varietals and proprietary blends. On warm weekends, live music will entertain you and there is often an outdoor stand with oysters on the half. A third part of the Pindar empire, Jason’s Vineyard, a few miles away, offers a more intimate setting.

Bedell Cellars

Bedell Cellars

Bedell has matured over its 40 years into a lovely setting for enjoying its red, white and rosé wines. The well-orchestrated vineyard allows small pets so you can bring the extended family to enjoy the gorgeous outdoor setting with live music on select weekends. Popular features are the vineyard’s First Crush wines made with young vines, contrasting with older vintages like the prized oak-aged Musée 2014 (with a label by  Chuck Close) and the 2018 petit verdot. Bedell’s albariño pairs perfectly with their charcuterie and cheese plates. In cooler times, the vineyard’s expansive deck is a welcoming space for tastings and small bites.

The Hamptons

Wölffer Estate Vineyard

Wölffer Estate Vineyard

The premier vineyard on the South Fork, Wölffer Estate Vineyard is a formal affair overseen by winemaker Roman Roth. Thanks to its gorgeous estate, terrace and acres of vineyards, you might think you’ve arrived under the Tuscan sun. The vineyard produces whites, reds, and rosés from its vineyards just a few miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Tastings are offered outdoors, weather permitting, with reservations. A drive-through rosé truck sells the Wolffer’s pretty Summer in a Bottle and is also located at the vineyard’s casual Wine Stand. You can schedule private tours of the vineyards through the Wine Stand with a small-bite and wine tasting included. Adding to its repertoire, Wölffer also makes ciders and a surprising gin.

Duck Walk Vineyards

Duck Walk Vineyard

With an unobstructed view of the Parrish Museum, Duck Walk Vineyards’ Water Mill location offers a serene alternative to its busier North Fork counterpart. The smaller vineyard is an intimate setting for taking in the beautiful artwork on the labels and the gorgeous landscape while enjoying a tasting of reds, whites and rosés. The family-owned winery is part of the Pindar group. If you time it right, an outdoor seat will let you hear the rehearsals for the Parrish’s Friday night jazz. In warmer months, Duck Walk Hampton and Duck Walk North both present live music, too, on weekends.

Road Trip: The Hamptons

Those in the know understand the draw of the East End of Long Island. The Hamptons, sitting on the South Fork of the island, are a group of hamlets, villages and towns lying along the Atlantic Ocean. The area is a perpetual playground for the rich and famous, and for city dwellers who appreciate a beach escape in a rural setting within a short drive of New York City.

The holidays are a special time in the Hamptons. Picture-perfect towns are dressed up in their holiday finest, with homes and trees adorned with shimmering lights. Beaches take on a different cast, with the icy-blue sky and ocean making a vivid contrast to the white sand and dunes. And art galleries and museums put on events to excite even the most casual viewer.

Photo By: Meryl Pearlstein

The Hamptons are especially conscious of the safety and health of its visitors. Masks are required in restaurants, shops and during tours and are requested to be worn in all public places. Be sure to check changing requirements and schedules when making reservations.

Dining In The Hamptons

The pandemic has extended the variety of Hamptons restaurants staying open through the fall and winter season. Many have created both indoor and outdoor dining experiences as well as additional takeout options where seasonal menus are enhanced with local beer and wines.

Main Street Tavern, Amagansett

Main Street Tavern Photo By: Ronan Lev

Newly opened, Amagansett’s all-American Main Street Tavern has an expansive beer garden, indoor sports bar and small-town hominess. Menu ingredients are locally sourced and find their way into small bites and comfort food faves like steak sandwiches, lobster rolls and chicken parm. Plan to watch your gridiron giants do combat while munching on Main Street’s superb chicken wings and sipping a classic cocktail or glass of wine from a list smartly curated by Parcelle, the well-known boutique wine shop.

Elaia Estiatorio, Bridgehampton

Elaia Estiatorio

The authentically Greek Elaia Estiatorio restaurant offers dishes made with locally sourced ingredients and an extensive Greek wine list. The restaurant’s quintet of dips (smoked eggplant, cod roe, Greek yogurt, whipped feta and pureed fava beans) is a perfect way to start any cold-weather meal. For simple perfection, the lightly dressed horiatiki (Greek salad) and whole grilled fish will transport you to warmer climes in an instant. Elaia is also offering a take-out Thanksgiving feast, mixing traditional American turkey and ham with Greek favorites.

Baron’s Cove, Sag Harbor

Baron’s Cove

The harborview restaurant at Baron’s Cove resort offers a “Chef’s Table” culinary series with holiday-themed dinners for Thanksgiving weekend, Winter Harvest, Christmas weekend and New Year’s Eve weekend. Part of an all-inclusive three-day hotel package, each meal features what is seasonally best from local farms and purveyors, with personal attention from Chef Nick Vogel. Guests will enjoy accommodations in the resort’s variety of nautically themed rooms, some allowing dogs.

Kissaki, Water Mill

Kissaki Photo By: Meryl Pearlstein

A favorite among New York City foodies, Kissaki is all about elegant sushi and distinctive sake. The décor matches the quality of the cuisine with clean lines, stylish Japanese minimalism and creative expression. The unusual futomaki (fat rolled sushi), beautifully presented omakase sets, and creative nigiri taken to a new level with chef’s choice of toppings are crowd pleasers. Non-seafood choices are available, and Kissaki’s menu of chiffon cakes is a welcome and unusual surprise. Socially aware seating includes indoor podlike areas and a chic open-air patio.

Bistro Eté, Water Mill

Bistro Eté

A year-round go-to for Hamptonites, Bistro Eté goes all out for the holidays with seasonally inflected dishes and home made desserts. Chef Arie Pavlou prides himself not only on his French culinary prowess but also on his facility to create dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious. His smoked pork chop is a sculptural feat, topped with a pumpkin cup filled with greens. Seasonal pumpkin flavors also appear in homemade ice cream. Cocktails similarly reflect the season – try the truffle martini if it’s available.

Calissa, Water Mill

Calissa Photo By: Meryl Pearlstein

Dining at Calissa is like a quick trip to the Greek isles. Whitewashed and airy, the restaurant offers a menu of all-time Greek menu hits. An expansive garden area is beautifully lit and invites lingering. Gracious service and a perpetual “on vacation” feel set the tone throughout. To keep your spirits light, there’s live music on Thursday evenings. For the holidays, Calissa is taking pre-orders for family-style takeout dinners as well. Create a new holiday tradition with their luscious souvlaki platter, tender cubes of pork with a rosemary confit glaze.

Highway, East Hampton

Highway

Re-opening in time for the holidays, Highway invites a limited number of diners to enjoy their menu of New American favorites made with ingredients from nearby farms and purveyors. The popular East Hampton restaurant serves hearty, seasonally inspired dishes including miso-glazed salmon and spit-roasted chicken with sourdough stuffing, perfect for cold-weather dining. For a sweet finish, the Milk Pail apple crumble is truly drool-worthy. Takeout is available for those unable to secure an indoor reservation, but, don’t worry – cocktails in adorable Highway mini-bottles are included on the to-go menu.

Bamboo, Southampton

Bamboo

Hidden behind Jobs Lane’s many shops, Bamboo satisfies with affordable Asian fusion cuisine, prepared by chefs trained at top sushiyas like Nobu and Blue Ribbon Sushi. Newly opened this summer, the restaurant offers a choice of sakes and an extensive menu of sushi and sashimi complemented by popular dishes like Bang Bang chicken, Mongolian beef and chicken lemongrass dumplings. Indoor seating as well as an expansive covered patio are available year-round.

T Bar, Southampton

T Bar

Popular Manhattan steakhouse transplant T Bar is a sleek yet cozy choice for Black Angus Porterhouse steak, Long Island duck, seafood and delicious desserts. Lighter fare includes a raw bar menu and crispy sushi, salmon burgers, chopped salads and yellowfin tuna tartare. The wine list is extensive as is the choice of craft cocktails. The restaurant’s beautiful terrace and garden add pure romance for warmer evening dining.

Union Steak and Sushi, Southampton

Union Steak and Sushi

Perfect for those who can never make up their mind, the new Union Steak and Sushi offers an elegant setting for steaks and inventive sushi creations. Local ingredients feature on the menu including duck egg rolls with Long Island duck confit. A must-order, the Union Roll is an unexpectedly harmonious combination of lobster and avocado, topped with marinated skirt steak, eel sauce and yuzu mayo. Evenings are enhanced with live piano accompaniment and an extensive cocktail and wine list. For a lighter meal, sibling Union Burger Bar shares the building and offers additional seating on an enclosed deck.

Things To Do
Tastings

Sagaponack Farm Distillery Photo By: Meryl Pearlstein

In addition to wine tastings at Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Duck Walk, a new distillery featuring ingredients from down the road, Sagaponack Farm Distillery, offers tastings indoors and outdoors of their truly artisanal spirits. Be sure to try the unusual rhubarb liqueur as well as their aquavit and potato, wheat and cucumber vodkas.

Shopping

Shopping is more than a casual pastime in the style-obsessed Hamptons. Held on the first Friday of every month, First Fridays bring the community out to enjoy shopping, entertainment, dining and more. Small Business Saturday®, sponsored by American Express, takes place two days after Thanksgiving and invites visitors to explore the boutiques and one-of-a-kind shops that pepper the towns of the South Fork.

And do plan to visit the Artisan Market at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce for handcrafted works from locals.

Arts, Tours and Walks

One of the Participating Destinations - White Fences Inn

28th Annual Hamptons B&B, Inn, Restaurant & Attraction Holiday Tour

For two days on December 5 and 6, a privileged few are invited to enter beyond the decorated doors of some of the most popular destinations in The Hamptons. Upon registration, guests will select their preferred location. All tours are guided and limited in number. Tickets are required and can be purchased online.

The Parrish Art Museum

The Parrish Art Museum

Beautifully decorated and lit during the holidays, The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill offers socially distanced galleries with exhibits by local artists and works about local subjects. Of note this season, Lucien Smith’s large-scale Southampton Suite reflects his distinctive paint spraying technique with oeuvres inspired by his new home in Montauk. Pre-purchase a timed entry allowing a ninety-minute visit.

LongHouse Reserve

LongHouse Reserve

LongHouse Reserve invites you on a personal exploration of the 16-acre reserve and sculpture garden in East Hampton where notable pieces by Yoko Ono, Buckminster Fuller and Willem de Kooning are on view no matter the season. Fall and winter schedule and time slots vary so be sure to check the website where you can purchase timed tickets

Southampton Arts Center (SAC)

The Collectors Sale

A benefit for the SAC, The Collectors Sale presents art pieces donated by more than 180 artists. You’re invited to view the collection and purchase online. A select number of works will be displayed in the back gallery of the Southampton Arts Center (SAC) to help you with your decisions.

For the little ones, SAC offers Zoom Bedtimes Stories, read by the authors themselves. Advance registration is required:

November 29 – Mr. Moon & Paint Your World with author/illustrator Michael Parasekevas

December 20 – Enzo and the Christmas Tree Hunt with author Garth Stein

Hiking

The Hamptons has a range of hiking opportunities including an unusual walk along the dunes, cranberry bogs and beach in Napeague. Appropriately named Walking Dunes, the hike changes frequently as the dunes themselves are in constant motion.

South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO)

South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) - Nature Walk

SOFO’s nature walks encourage visitors of all ages to work off their holiday indulgences with a program of guided tours. Social distancing is required and masks and gloves are provided. Be sure to register in advance as spaces are limited.

Day After Thanksgiving “Walk It Off Walk” – Friday, November 27 – tour the Long Pond Greenbelt on a moderately fast-paced hike.

Annual Thanksgiving Celebration and YES! Walk – Saturday, November 28 – all ages are invited to tour Vineyard Field, right behind SOFO, with SOFO environmental educators. The YES! Young Environmentalist Society has their own walk for ages 10-16.

Full Frost Moon Hike – Monday, November 30 – join a leisurely one-hour hike in Vineyard Field to soak up some conversation and moonlight.

For additional hiking information, visit:

East Hampton Trails Preservation Society

Walking Dunes Photo By: Meryl Pearlstein

Southampton Trails Preservation Society

Shelter Island trails

Shadmoor State Park

Where To Stay In The Hamptons
The Baker House 1650, East Hampton

Baker House

The elegant Baker House embraces the winter season with ‘Intimate Moments at Baker,’ a focus on togetherness and family. A striking bed and breakfast with architecture inspired by 17th-century Cotswolds, the Baker House was originally built in 1648 and has a storied history. Serving first as a residence for a sea captain, it later became a tavern, a meeting hall and a site for religious services before its transformation into a lodging establishment in 1996. Baker House provides a mix of refinement and comfort with indulgent amenities including an onsite spa. Popular during the colder months, Baker House’s fire pit is a go-to for guests to enjoy hot beverages while wearing inn-provided pashminas.

Baker House Guest Room

Southampton Inn, Southampton

Southampton Inn

Bring the whole gang to the Southampton Inn for a Thanksgiving mini-holiday with a special overnight package and a four-course turkey dinner at Claude’s Restaurant. But you’ll probably want to stay longer than one night at the family-friendly Inn which offers the personal attention of a bed and breakfast with the services of a hotel. The 90 guest rooms each have a slightly different décor. The inn’s restaurant is popular for its signature weekend brunch which features locally sourced ingredients. Bikes and helmets are available for guest use.

Southampton Inn Guest Room

The Ram’s Head Inn, Shelter Island

The Ram’s Head Inn

If you’re longing for an island getaway but don’t want to worry about changing quarantine requirements, the Ram’s Head Inn is the right place for you. Take your vehicle on the ferry, or hop the inn’s complimentary shuttle and go car-less. Shelter Island’s 17-room waterfront inn is distinguished by its relaxed yet luxurious accommodations and polished service. This season, the Ram’s Head has added four heated outdoor dining igloos and a heated cocktail igloo, available for two-hour bookings.

Ram’s Head Inn Guest Room

New American cuisine is featured with brunch on Sunday. A children’s menu is offered with early dining hours to accommodate families. Live music in the lounge on Friday and Sunday adds a festive touch.

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks Guarantees One Hot Evening in the Hamptons This Weekend

Get ready for the Hamptons’ much-anticipated foodie event, Dan’s Taste of Two Forks. This year marks the ninth year of the delicious event which is held at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton, New York on the shore of Mecox Bay.

On Saturday July 20, from 7:30-10pm (VIP entry at 6pm), chefs from more than 40 restaurants and winemakers from more than 15 vineyards in the Hamptons will come together to serve up some of the best food and wine offerings from the East End. Both North Fork and South Fork establishments are represented, feeding hungry (and thirsty) guests who also enjoy music under the direction of DJ Phresh. It’s a chance to try out the creations from restaurants you may not yet have visited as well as from your favorites. I’m especially excited for tastes from some of the Hamptons’ newest venues like T Bar Southampton and Anker (Greenport) and the new team from Claudio’s (Greenport).

Participating restaurants and food purveyors include Anker by Wolfgang Ban, Backyard Brine by Cori Anne and Randy Kopke, Calissa by Dominic Rice, Chocology Unlimited by Linda Johnson, Claudio’s by Franklin Becker, Peter Ambrose of Events by Peter Ambrose, Fairview Farm, First and South by Mynor Ortega, Grace & Grit by Adam Kaufer, Green Hill by Wolfgang Ban, Insatiable EATS Catering & Events by Marco Barrila, Joe & Liza’s Ice Cream by Sean O’Donnell, Kontiki by Cheo Avila, Main Road Biscuit by Marissa Drago, Mirabelle Restaurant by Guy Reuge, North Fork Chocolate Company by Steve Amaral, North Sea Tavern by Michael Basta, Page Restaurant by Cleon Clarke, Paola’s by Stefano Marracino, PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill by Bruce Miller, Saaz by Sameer Mohan, Salt & Loft, Scarpetta Beach by Jorge Espinoza, Shinnecock Lobster Factory by Marco Barrila, Shock Ice Cream by Elyse Richman, Showfish at Gurney’s Star Island by Jeremy Blutstein, Shuckers Lobster & Clam Bar by John Heaney, Smokin’ Wolf BBQ & More! by Arthur Wolf, Southampton Social Club by Scott Kampf, Spiro’s Restaurant & Lounge by Spiro Karachopan, T Bar Southampton by Tony Fortuna, The Clubhouse by Brian Schlitt, The Frisky Oyster by Robby Beaver, The Garden at Water Mill, The Halyard at Sound View Greenport by Stephan Bogardus, The Tackle Box by John Saladacara, Topping Rose House by Drew Hiatt and Union Cantina by Scott Kampf.

Vineyards include Borghese Vineyard and the Montauk Wine Company. Beer and spirits will also be flowing.

Borghese Vineyard

The evening begins at 6:30pm with a VIP reception at the Waterfront VIP Lounge and special treats. General admission starts at 7:30pm. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit All For The East End (AFTEE) that showcases and provides support to the more than 1,000 charity organizations in the five East End towns. Fairview Farm at Mecox, 18 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton, New York. #tasteoftwoforks

Eat and Drink for a Good Cause at Chefs & Champagne – July 28

Get ready for this weekend’s much-anticipated foodie event, the James Beard Foundation’s annual Chefs & Champagne tasting. The delicious event is held in support of the James Beard Foundation’s  programs which celebrate, nurture and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage.

On Saturday July 28, 36 chefs – many of them James Beard Award winners — from restaurants in New York, Florida, Missouri, California, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington DC will dish up their best under the beautiful tent at Wölffer Estate Vineyard. The 2018 Guest of Honor is Padma Lakshmi, host of Bravo’s James Beard Award-winning Top Chef.

The menu features craveworthy, seasonal dishes like Stephen Bogardsus’s corn soup with truffles (The North Fork Table & Inn, Southold); Georgette Farkas’s tarte pissaladière (Rotisserie Georgette, New York); Mina Newman’s Nikkei ceviche with sockeye salmon (Sen Sakana, New York City); and Nick Stefanelli’s burrata with beluga caviar (Masseria, Washington, DC) that show why summer is the best culinary season. All is to be washed down by constantly flowing Champagne Boizel, Tito’s vodka and a variety of Wölffer Estate wines.

The evening begins at 5pm with a VIP reception. The main event, from 6-8:30pm, is followed by an after-party for VIP guests until 10pm. All guests receive a goodie-filled swag bag and can also take part in an extravagant silent auction with the chance to win a vacation getaway, a delicious dining experience, a watch, cookware and more. Bidding is open online through July 25 and will continue as a silent auction throughout the evening of the event. Take a look here.

Proceeds from the auction and the dinner will support JBF’s initiatives including the Impact Programs in areas of seafood sustainability, food waste, chef advocacy and childhood nutrition; the Women’s Leadership Programs and numerous scholarship programs. For tickets, including VIP tickets to the after-party dining extravaganza, click here

Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Sagg Road, Sagaponack, New York; 212-627-2308, www.jamesbeard.org/chefsandchampagne

A Weekend Away from NYC: The Hamptons

You may have missed last month’s premier foodie event in the Hamptons, the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs and Champagne tasting showcase, but there’s still much to sample for a weekend in the Hamptons at the tip of New York’s Long Island.

Starting with Art and the Great Outdoors

Peconic Land Trust

The Hamptons have perfected the art of the garden. And while most of the mansion have theirs hidden away behind their unfriendly privets, the Peconic Land Trust has created one that’s open to the public at any time. Bridge Gardens on Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton is the kind of oasis among the Hamptons scene that will make you rethink your plans, even on a sunny beach day. In this decidedly uncrowded setting of multiple flower and vegetable gardens you might feel that you’re in an English garden, one hidden and exclusively yours. In fact, you might have the gardens entirely to yourself, a rarity for New Yorkers. It’s a beautiful place to Zen out and ignore the Hamptons traffic.

Take Me Indoors, It’s Too Hot

The Parrish Art Museum

Museums also offer a respite from the summer heat.  The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is one of the country’s finest, with a collection of art from local artists. The permanent collection is enhanced by frequently featured exhibits. This summer’s “live” Light Waves exhibit projects videos on the outside of the museum’s distinctive building.  A café and bookstore are welcoming and creative as well.  If you’re in town on August 21, a special Solar Eclipse program in conjunction with the Montauk Observatory will be hosted from 1-4pm on the museum grounds. In Southampton, the Southampton Art Center offers changing exhibits as well as other performing arts programming.

So You Must Be Hungry

Shinnecock Lobster Factory

Dining is one of the pleasures of the Hamptons.  Each town has its local favorites, some with outdoor dining.  For a quick lobster fix, the Shinnecock Lobster Factory in Southampton,  Bay Burger in Sag Harbor, and Canal Café in Hampton Bays have the best lobster rolls around.  At each, you can choose to enjoy your sandwich outdoors or indoors.

Manna in Water Mill

If you like Italian food, you can try secluded Manna in Water Mill or go family-style at La Parmigiana or the casual Paul’s Italian Restaurant in Southampton, where the heroes are large enough to be shared and pizzas by the slice include interesting versions such as Buffalo chicken. Yearling Doppio la Spaggia in Sag Harbor, and this year in East Hampton as well, serves up crudo, pasta, carpaccio and other Italian favorites, each with a special farm-fresh twist. Note: sit outside if you’re sensitive to noise. The North Fork has two Italian eateries worth traveling for: Grana in Jamesport is a rustic, inventive trattoria which plates whatever vegetables are freshest of the moment. Chef Marco Pellegrini of Caci has brought his Umbrian savvy to Southhold to a setting on a farmstead. Here, Chef has a kitchen entirely devoted to pasta making. His green basil tagliatelle is as close to Italian perfection as I’ve ever eaten. Wines, if not from Italy, are all from the North Fork and menus proudly list the local purveyors of the proteins and produce.

For breakfast, two standouts are Hampton Bay’s The Hampton Maid, an inn with a restaurant that only serves breakfast; nearby Orlando’s adds a bit of Costa Rican spice to the dishes at this homey restaurant. Estia’s Little Kitchen in Sag Harbor is a popular choice for breakfast and lunch as well with Mexican-inflected dishes.

For a restaurant experience that’s more sophisticated, lunch at Sant Ambroeus, Le Charlot or Silver’s in Southampton is casually elegant with Italian, French, and American cuisines respectively.

Calissa in Water Mill

Among the newest restaurants in the Hamptons, Calissa in Water Mill and Kuzo in Southampton will keep you satisfied with their Mediterranean and Japanese-Peruvian flavors, respectively. Save these for a splurge, as the prices are as high as the quality. Book late for Calissa so you can dine to live music.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard

If you love wine, the Hamptons are New York’s answer to the West Coast. The North Fork has 43 vineyards, many of which offer daily tastings. Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Channing Daughters Winery on the South Fork offer two gorgeous settings where you can tour, taste, or enjoy an open-air yoga class.  Pick up a bottle of Wolffer’s acclaimed “Summer in a Bottle Rosé” at their new Drive-thru Rosé Stand if you’re short on time! Wölffer also has two restaurants, Wölffer Kitchen in Sag Harbor and a new one in Amagansett, where you can sample their many varietals as well as enjoy their farm-to-table expertise.

The Maidstone Hotel

Don’t feel like driving? Have a taxi bring you to The Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton. The hotel offers a charming Scandinavian-influenced setting on the town’s historic mall. Here, you can spend the night, drink some fabulous wines and Aquavit, and enjoy the cozy hotel restaurant, all without worrying about joining the car parade on Montauk Highway.

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