East End Must-Eats for Hamptons Restaurant Week

From west to east, Hamptons Restaurant Week is a culinary adventure that will leave one satisfied and smiling. Here’s a list of some “must-eats” during this week from some of the flagship restaurants on the East End.

First, beginning in Riverhead, Tweed’s Restaurant and Buffalo Bar is a staple for bison lovers. This historic eatery is the oldest continuing running eating establishment in Riverhead and the North Fork. Owned by Ed Tuccio, Tweed’s has been raving about the little known benefits of bison meat for years. Briefly, bison is credited with having much less fat, calories and cholesterol than traditional meats. Tweed’s dinner menu features a few forms of this alternative to beef, chicken and pork. For example, as an appetizer, try Grilled Bison Kabobs with barbeque sauce or Carpaccio of Bison Tenderloin with white truffle oil and shaved Parmesan. Some choice entrees include Grilled Bison Filet and Grilled Bison T-bone steak with mashed shallot butter. Tweed’s even offers Bison Cabbage Soup—a more creative bison menu probably cannot be found anywhere. Don’t miss the wall-mounted head of the last bison shot by President Teddy Roosevelt in the Dakota Badlands!

Moving east, The Patio at 54 Main in Westhampton has a most delectable and varied menu. Helmed by Executive Chef Pietro Bottero and managing partner Antonio Bottero—both formerly of the esteemed restaurant Annono in Westhampton Beach—The Patio at 54 Main also boasts a most original and imaginative list of cocktails and a distinguished wine list that won’t be found elsewhere. During this week, any one of the signature dishes served up at The Patio at 54 Main would be an excellent selection. The restaurant’s signature dishes of Fresh Homemade Pasta with Skirt Steak Ragout and the Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with cauliflower puree, shitake mushrooms, asparagus and sweet garlic foam sound like the way to go; though any of their delicious entrees are sure to be fantastic.

Next, head over to Hampton Bays for dinner at 1 North Steakhouse. This is the place to order a nice big juicy steak. 1 North Steakhouse offers a few red meat options for the $27.95 Hamptons Restaurant Week special, including a 12 oz. Strip Steak (plain, marinated or dry-rubbed), a 10 oz. Pork Strip Steak and an 18 oz. Dry Aged Ribeye (for $8 more). Each dish is equally delicious and are all served with a side of creative potato and veggie accompaniments.

Nearby in East Quogue is Dockers Restaurant and Marina. Dubbed “a Hamptons destination like no other,” this place is a definite go-to spot for gastronomes and dieters alike. A seat outside on the dock overlooks the beautiful sunsets and water views that will enhance your night out. Dockers also offers terrific music and entertainment that will have you dancing (after a few drinks). Check out Chef Scott Hastings’ $27.95 menu offerings and be sure to sample Dockers’ fresh fish, such as their Swordfish Milanese or the local Stuffed Flounder with tomato beurre blanc and anise-honeyed carrots. Other standouts include Miso-glazed Salmon, Shrimp Penne and, for an additional charge, the Dockers Grand Stuffed Lobster, Spicey Grilled Thai Tuna with gingered cucumbers and coconut-rice noodles, and Pan-seared Scallops with bacon and leek couscous and asparagus.

As the Hamptons proper unfolds, head to Southampton and try out The Coast Grill at the Peconic Marina on Wooley Pond. This Noyac Road restaurant has pleasing water views overlooking an array of cool boats. Owners Stacy Phillips and Executive Chef Brian Cheewing have posted their delightful and eclectic three-course menu for the special Hamptons Restaurant Week price of $27.95. Among The Coast Grill’s prix-fixe features is an interesting vegetarian dish—Seasonal Vegetable Fricassee with sundried tomatoes, French lentils and crumbled goat cheese—as well as Spaghettini Bolognese, Gilled Scottish Salmon, Steak Frites and Roasted Free-Range Chicken. They even have a “Doggie Bag Menu” with $10 items for take-out!

Venturing over to the North Fork, The Jamesport Manor Inn is known for New American Cuisine with a Mediterranean Flair. Continue your tasty culinary adventure with appetizers, such as Homemade Potato Gnocchi with roasted red peppers, ricotta, baby arugula and grilled baguette, and the Porcini Dusted Striped Bass entrée, served with fingerling potatoes and haricots verts in a lobster-thyme reduction. This is a delicious dinner!  How can you go wrong?

The North Fork Table and Inn in Southold is an established flagship restaurant that’s definitely worth a visit. The $27.92 Hamptons Restaurant Week special features an eclectic selection of wholesome and organic produce and entrées alike. The purée of French Green Lentil Soup with rosemary olive-oil croutons, smoked bacon lardons, crème fraiche and spring herbs is unusual and nutritious, especially together with the Housemade Cavatelli Pasta and Red Wine Beef for dinner. And don’t skip dessert—all five choices are outstanding, but the Banana-Toffee Ice Cream Sundae with roasted bananas and salty peanuts is a must! Come for dinner and stay overnight in the refinished and elegant inn!

Finally, heading farther east on the North Fork to Greenport, try Noah’s. Known for his small plate menu, Chef Noah Schwartz is presenting a delightful three-course menu this week. From the appetizer of Pipes Cove Oysters to the Pan Roasted Montauk Cod entrée with apple-wood smoked bacon, fingerling potatoes and Little Neck clams in Long Island clam chowder broth, this prix fixe offering will satisfy any diner. So will the decadent dessert selection, featuring Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with dulce de leche and fresh whipped crème; Key Lime Pie with a graham cracker crust and candied lime; and Rosemary Olive Oil Cake with citrus marinated strawberries. Order all three and share with friends, or eat them alone (and suffer a small surcharge)!

Make sure to sample the award-winning wines at all of these restaurants during your trek to the East End for Hamptons Restaurant Week. It will be a culinary adventure like no other!

Click here for a complete list of Hamptons Restaurant Week participants.