Summer Preview: Hamptons Dining, What's New

Dining out and taking in a smorgasbord of culinary delights is one of the hallmarks of summer in the Hamptons. From hot new restaurants to cool new offerings at longtime favorites, we serve up 20 foodie-news bites to whet your appetite for a savory season on the South Fork.

European Inspiration in East Hampton

A new European-inspired dining and entertainment experience, Sienna Restaurant & UltraLounge, will be one of East Hampton’s hotspots this summer. The project is headed by Jonathan Rapillo, who is implementing this new concept at the venue that housed Beaumarchais East Hampton last summer, which he also owned and operated. Sienna Restaurant & UltraLounge will feature Tony Fortuna’s TBar Steak and Lounge concept, as Sienna Restaurant by TBar, as well as a nightlife program courtesy of Pink Elephant, with a lineup of world-class DJs every Saturday. Guests can expect TBar’s familiar eclectic American menu and signature drinks, such as the Sienna Margarita. 44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton, 631-604-6060, siennahamptons.com

Something New in Sag Harbor

Michael Gluckman and executive chef Eric Miller of Food & Co. and The Miller’s Real BBQ in East Hampton have partnered to bring Madison & Main—an American seafood tavern where you’ll find lobster sliders, Whole Belly Ipswich Clams and cocktails like Triple Rum Punch—to the former New Paradise Café space. 126 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-6246, madisonandmainrestaurant.com

Raising the Steaks

Delmonico’s opened on Beaver Street in NYC in 1837 and went on to become a culinary classic, so much so that the Delmonico Steak garnered its name from the preparation at that famed lower Manhattan eatery. No doubt the new Delmonico’s of Southampton Est. 1837, in the former home of Savanna’s on Elm Street, will become an East End institution of equally iconic stature—with legendary steaks, of course. 268 Elm Street, Southampton, phone not available at press time

What’s in a Name?

Some of the best Mexican food on the East End (and 75 tequilas) made Agave in Bridgehampton a can’t-miss. So don’t fret when you drive by and see the “Mercado” sign—only the name has changed, not the folks who served up that delightful fare. “We chose the name Mercado after an intense culinary trip to Mexico,” they explain. “We especially like visiting the local mercados (markets) in every town big and small where we experienced many new ingredients and flavors. We wanted to bring that fresh from the market feel and honor the long and flavorful history of Mexican Cuisine to our restaurant.” 1970 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-237-1334, mercadony.com

Are You Experienced?

The most famous cup of coffee in the Hamptons is expanding, in both size and concept. While the Hampton Coffee Company location in Water Mill remains (as does their Westhampton Beach spot), they spent the spring moving the Coffee Roastery to new digs in Southampton, home to their first-ever “Coffee Experience Store.” The Southampton space on County Road 39A draws inspiration from West Coast city-style espresso bars, with professional Barista-prepared beverages and a first-ever-on-the-East-End Pour Over Bar. At the Pour Over Bar, you will sit down at a specially designed counter with your own personal barista, select the type of coffee you’d like to try, select the method of brewing (French Press, AeroPress, Chemex, etc.), and your barista will prepare your cup of coffee fresh-to-order as you participate in the coffee-making process. In Water Mill, 631-726-2633; in Westhampton Beach, 631-288-4480; hamptoncoffeecompany.com.

Who’s in the 1770 Kitchen

Former Della Femina head chef Michael Rozzi is gearing up for his first summer as chef for East Hampton’s 1770 House Restaurant & Inn. While Kevin Penner remains as executive chef, Rozzi—who has also worked at Le Chef in Southampton and the Inn at Quogue—replaced chef Matt Birnstill to manage the kitchen this past winter. 143 Main Street, East Hampton, 631-324-1770, 1770house.com

New Main Man

Southampton’s 75 Main prepared for summer with a bit of a facelift, including new floors, new paint job, new roof and—drum roll—a new chef, Mark Militello. Famous throughout South Florida, Militello stood at the helm of 75 Main’s Delray Beach location this winter to rave reviews, and now has taken his talents away from South Beach and brought his culinary genius to the Hamptons. 75 Main Street, Southampton, 631-283-7575, 75main.com

Hot Pairing: Local Wine and Sea Salt

It’s not just about wine and cheese anymore. Natalie and Steven Judelson of Amagansett Sea Salt Co. have collaborated with Sparkling Pointe Winery in Southold to produce salts flavored with sparkling wines—Blanc de Noirs and Blanc de Blancs. These new salt flavors are available from the winery’s gift shop. 39750 County Road 48, Southold, 631-765-0200, sparlkingpointe.com; amagansettseasalt.com

The Art of the Meal

What better-named choice to run the Parrish Art Museum’s café than Amagansett-based event planning and catering concern The Art of Eating? Notable for supplying the beach plum jelly party favors for Rufus Wainwright’s wedding last summer, AOE is known for using local ingredients and continues that trend during the café’s first summer with offerings of teatime sweets, sandwiches, and a full menu prepared on-site. 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-283-2118, parrishart.org

Home, Sweet Home

You’ve seen (and, if you’re lucky, tasted) Sweet Andy’s tasty treats at shops around the Hamptons for the past few years. Now those Triple Chip cookies and Peanut Butter Chip cookies and all their friends have their own home, at the Sweet Andy’s retail shop at 136 Riverhead Road in Westhampton Beach! 136 Riverhead Road, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-2688, sweetandyscookies.com

BLT A-OK

Beginning Thursday, May 21, ESquared Hospitality will host BLT Steak at the Capri, a pop-up restaurant featuring BLT Steak’s signature dishes—from the famed popovers and tuna tartare to classic steaks, sautéed Dover sole and peanut butter chocolate mousse—plus poolside fare at The Bathing Club at Capri during the day and a menu of small plates for those enjoying the outdoor bar and lounge areas in the evenings. 281 County Road 39A, Southampton 631-504-6575, caprisouthampton.com

Fresh Start

The former Southfork Kitchen in Bridgehampton has closed, and in its place comes Fresh, courtesy of chef Todd Jacobs. Jacobs, who earned kudos as the chef at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor in the mid-1990s and critical acclaim in Westhampton Beach at Tierra Mar, returns to the Hamptons with a farm-to-table concept that is family-friendly, affordable and accessible. Get ready for appetizers such as “kim chee” pickled savoy cabbage, baby bok choy, carrots and wild arugula, and entrées such as Tandori-spiced oven roasted chicken with pan juices and green cardamom. 203 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-4700, freshhamptons.com

Opening a New Branch

A chef’s paradise, Vines and Branches carries specialty oils, gourmet salts and herbs, vinegars and prepares beautiful gift baskets—and now they’ve opened a new location on Main Street in Southampton. Romulus, Julius Caesar, and probably even Pope Gregory XIII would be pleased with their olive oil assortment. 94 Main Street, Southampton, 631-283-6070, vinesandbranches.net.

Lemonade and Lobster Rolls

Sweet ’tauk, a new lemonade start-up, has joined Brooklyn’s Red Hook Lobster Pound to open a new lobster roll and refreshment shop in Montauk. The Sweet ‘tauk eatery and shop serves lunch and dinner, and offers some outdoor “picnic-style” seating. Along with the seafood and burgers, Sweet ‘tauk has a variety of house-made ice pops and small-batch ice creams. “We use only peak-of-season fruits from local farmers mixed with our own imagination to create the most delightfully refreshing flavors.” 34 S. Etna Avenue, Montauk, 631-668-5683, sweettauk.com.

Change Is Good

Cream cheese and a bagel are great for when the sun’s coming up, but Beach Side Bagel Café understands that once it’s time for the sun to go down, something has to change…so the café morphs into a wine-and-cheese bar, complete with linen-covered tables and romantic atmosphere, not to mention more than 20 wines and a dozen beers, plus cheeses and desserts. 481 Montauk Highway, East Quogue, 631-996-2840, beachsidebagelcafe.com

Top This

Big City Burgers in Westhampton Beach has become Boom Burger, still serving hot-wings-burgers-and-fries fare but kicking things up a notch with additions like Thai Chili wings and an eclectic lineup of burger toppings, ranging from peanut butter and jelly to truffle oil to chorizo to the most inspired of all: creamy mac ’n’ cheese. Boom! 85 Montauk Highway, Westhampton Beach, 631-998-4663, boomburgerwhb.com

Service Fit for a King

In case you want a night of cooking at home, King Kullen in Bridgehampton has undergone an expansion, allowing for better “traffic control” where the dairy and bread sections meet (pushing a cart through that corner was described to Dan’s Papers as being like a salmon swimming upstream), but the big news is the arrival of an online shopping room where customers can email orders for pickup at the door or home delivery. 2044 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-2681, kingkullen.com

Juicy Details

Juice Lane claims to be the first cold-pressed juice location to launch in the region, and it’s scheduled to be up and running in Wainscott on Memorial Day Weekend.

The new venture by identical twin brothers and health enthusiasts Ian and Justin Browne promises to bring a dedication to “providing health-conscious Hamptonites with the freshest farm-to-mouth recipes.” Offerings include juices such as “Skin Glow,” “Digestion,” “Rehydrate” and “Simply Fun,” as well as curated packaged goods that can’t be found easily at grocery stores, like kale chips, puffed quinoa bars and other products. 354 Montauk Highway, Wainscott, 631-527-5057, juicelane.com

A Cuddy Is…

Restaurateur Jeff Resnik opened his new American comfort food joint The Cuddy in place of his former Thai operation Phao. The Cuddy will serve three hots a day, year round, and is designed to feel “rustic, warm and cozy,” Resnik explained, matching the comfort of its food. So what’s a “cuddy,” you ask? According to their Facebook page, “A Cuddy is the ‘go to’ spot on a boat when faced with a nasty situation. Mothers ‘cuddy’ their children when they’re tired or cranky. We like to think that The Cuddy restaurant in Sag Harbor will serve the same purpose for our guests. Warm and inviting, comfortable in style, food and beverage…” 29 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-0101

The Topping Rose House

You didn’t think we’d leave that out, did you? Stay tuned for our review.

Food photos by Kelly Laffey and Stacy Dermont