Restaurant Review: The Meeting House

The Meeting House in Amagansett is an exciting and eclectic restaurant featuring food that I’m going to call European-American fusion. There’s a little bit of French, a little bit of Italian and a whole lot of American to choose from, and although the menu may be small, the food is big on flavor and packed a satisfying punch for this curious foodie.

After being seated in the ultra-modern and super-chic dining room, we were treated to a warm loaf of bread wrapped in this cute little brown bag to keep it warm. The bread was accompanied by a trio of spreads (or dips) including olive oil, butter and a purée of white beans with a hint of lemon and salt, pleasantly light and delicious with my crusty bread.

The soup of the day was a tomato soup with chorizo, topped with Cotija cheese. The soup was more like a chili, that’s how hearty it was. The slightly spicy flavor from the chorizo, the sweet infusion from the fresh tomatoes and the mild warmth from the cheese all blended together perfectly. The soup was great comfort on a chilly night.

The menu consists of small plates ($11-$15), large plates ($16-$36), and pasta dishes ($14-$18). Off the small plates menu we tried the Steamed Artichoke served with a Lemon Aioli, which was simple and light. The softball-sized artichoke was steamed to perfection, and the combination of the earthy artichoke with the bright lemon aioli made for a healthy and satisfying plate.

We also had the Polenta Croutons, which are served with a sauté of mushrooms and garlic, and topped with Parmesan shavings. The polenta had been cut into giant-sized croutons and was fried until crisp on the outside, but the inside was still soft and creamy. Paired with the beefy taste of the mushrooms, Parmesan and fresh parsley, this dish was a slam dunk.

The small plate special of the night – Seared Pork Belly with a white bean and frisee sauté – was a must have. The mention of pork belly had my mouth watering (hello, pork fat RULES) and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into it. The crispy bites of charred pork came out so tender I could shred it with my fork. They were like heaven, and eaten with the beans and frisee, it created the most pleasant pork party in my mouth.

The Mac & Cheese at The Meeting House is legendary, so the Chef made sure we had some. Made with silky Gruyere, heavy cream and butter, then toasted under the broiler until gooey and crip on the outside….it’s the perfect American Mac & Cheese with a French flair.

The Meeting House burger was also a must-try (as our foodie friends told us) and they weren’t wrong. It’s the perfect upscale American burger, topped with the cheese of your choice, cooked just the way you like it and served with some of the most delicious French fries I’ve ever tasted. If you’re in a burger-and-fries kind of mood, the Meeting House Burger will satisfy your craving in a colossal way.

For dessert I stuck with a favorite of mine – Crème Brulee. It was creamy and sweet, with the perfect sugar crusted top. I’m not ashamed to say I ate the entire dessert, after eating all that food. It was just that darn good. The also had an impressive selection of homemade ice creams that I need to try next time I stop in for a bite.

The Meeting House also serves larges plates like Chicken Milanese, a simple fried chicken cutlet topped with a light salad of mixed greens, Roasted Chicken with mashed potatoes, Pan Roasted Cod & Salmon and Braised Short Ribs. Besides the Mac & Cheese, the pasta dishes also include Spaghetti Carbanara and Bolognese, and there is a kid-friendly menu as well.

The Meeting House is located at 4 Amagansett Square in Amagansett. They’re open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday 5-9 p.m., Friday & Saturday 5-10 p.m., and are closed Wednesday. The Bar open at 4 p.m. and stays open late! For more information, call 631-267-2764 or visit www.meetinghouseamagansett.com.