Dining in the Hamptons
John’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
125 West Montauk Highway
Hampton Bays, NY
631-728-9411
My friend Charlotte Havemeyer and I dropped in to John’s
Restaurant and Pizzeria last night for a quick bite before catching
300 at the United Artists Hampton Bays movie theater next door. John’s
Restaurant and Pizzeria has been owned by the same family since 1972,
and has one of the best reputations of any Italian eatery in the Hamptons.
With so many Italians and Italian-Americans on Long Island, this distinction
is not easily won, and we were excited at the prospect of sinking our
teeth into some famously delicious Italian fare.
When we walked in the door, the familiar sight of glass-enclosed pizza
counters dusted in flour and paper plated slices confirmed our expectation
that this would be a great place to grab a big, greasy slice. However,
as our courteous, professional waiter guided us back into the dining
room, we were suddenly transported to a dimly lit haven that smelled
of fresh antipasta and buffered out the sounds of the casual pizza joint
in the front.
Charlotte and I were overwhelmed by the copious offerings on the menu,
so our waiter graciously offered to put together a meal for us. As I
delved into a huge plate filled with mouthwatering clams casino garnished
with bacon, stuffed clams with crispy breadcrumbs sprinkled on top,
stuffed baby Portobello mushrooms and fresh, fire-roasted vegetables
sitting in a shallow plate of sweet balsamic vinegar reduction, I felt
like I was eating a big Sunday feast prepared by my Italian grandmother,
just for me. Surprisingly, the combination was not heavy, as the sautéed
vegetables and olive-oil drenched clams were perfectly paired with the
tangy artichoke hearts and grilled peppers piled high on top of a bed
of lemony rugula and ripe Roma tomatoes.
For our main course, the chef prepared a succulent pork chop and perfectly
seasoned chicken breast, topped with fingerling potatoes, fresh mushrooms
and a creamy, white wine sauce. Even our bowl of pasta with marinara
sauce was thoughtfully prepared, with whole cloves of fresh roasted
garlic in the sauce and firm, al-dente pasta.
The portions at John’s are more than generous, but when our waitress
brought out the dessert menus, Charlotte and I couldn’t resist
delving into something sweet and chocolaty. We chose to top off our
traditional Italian meal with a little slice of Chaos – a triple-layer
cake with a brownie crust, an Italian cheesecake center, and a chocolate
mousse top surrounded by tangy, sweet raspberry syrup and caramel sauce.
Our waitress also brought out the special house dessert, a chocolate
bombe filled with Hershey’s syrup and paired with a big scoop
of vanilla bean ice cream. Although it’s not on the regular dessert
menu, the chefs at John’s will whip one of these up for anyone
who asks for it, and one bite of the light, chocolate cake and warm
chocolate filling will have you asking for another to take home, which
they will also gladly do for you.
In keeping with Italian tradition, John’s offers Limoncello along
with the usual after-dinner drinks like espresso and cappuccino. Although
I prefer mine with a little soda water like the little bambini drink
it, most grownup Italians sip this strong, lemony liqueur straight from
its tiny flute, especially when it tastes as fresh and clean as John’s.
I highly recommend a sip of Limoncello as a sweet digestivo after a
generous meal at John’s.
Although I would highly recommend John’s Restaurant and Pizzeria
for a quick slice before going to the movies, the full, family-style
Italian restarant experience can only be had by spending some time in
the intimate dining room with the family who loves nothing more than
to make their guests feel like they are dining at their Nonna’s
house. If you would rather enjoy this tantalizing Italian food at your
own home, or share it with your friends and loved ones at a big family
gathering, John’s entire menu is available in big, party-sized
portions (with a 24-hour notice, of course) for all your catering needs.
They’ll even deliver it for you! Head down to John’s Restaurant
and Pizzeria – you’ll be glad you did.
– Sabrina C. Mashburn
John’s Restaurant and Pizzeria is located at 125 West Montauk
Highway in Hampton Bays. The kitchen is open for lunch and dinner, seven
days a week, until 9:30 p.m. Takeout orders can be placed on line at
www.johnsrestaurant.com. Reservations can be made on line or over the
phone at 631-728-9411, but walk-ins are always welcome.
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