Hamptons Restaurant Review: 75 Main in Southampton Village

I think I would find little opposition if I claimed that the streets of Southampton Village have some of the most iconic views of the Hamptons, from the Agawam Park’s location on the water to the movie theatre on Hill Steet, and the well-loved 75 Main Restaurant and Lounge takes advantage of it all with its prime real estate on Main Street. But if the classic view is wonderful, it’s nothing next to the food.

I headed out for dinner last Wednesday evening with Mama Z, very eager to sample some of 75 Main’s contemporary dishes since I have been meaning to try the restaurant for years. Mama and I opted for air conditioning when choosing our table inside the restaurant, even though the beauty of sitting right outside on the sidewalk in Southampton was almost too much to resist. The interior décor was very tastefully selected, too—dark woods and white linens gave the air a classic, yet unpretentious look (despite the fact that it is a regular hot-spot for celebs visiting the Hamptons).

I decided to start my meal off with the 75 Main Chopped Salad. What I thought would be a simple opener was actually a huge mound of delicious lettuce topped with Gorgonzola, roasted red peppers, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, red onion and balsamic vinaigrette. Yum! The mix of flavors was the perfect introduction to the melding of flavors that seems to characterize the menu, which was recently revamped when the new chef Mark Militello came to the restaurant this season. Militello has developed quite a following amongst foodies both here and around the country, most recently celebrating success at a restaurant in Florida, and he has even served as a food critic for The New York Times. In another contemporary take on a melding of flavors, Mama Z’s appetizer selection consisted of roasted asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with a poached egg on the side. After just one bite, she all but shouted, “this is a definite party in my mouth. It’s amazing!” I had to agree after she gave me a taste, as the combination of salty egg with the warmth of the asparagus was a very nice combination. Mama Z also started off the meal with dry rosé, the “Juliette” selection from Côtes de Provence, France that added a nice subtle flavor to her starter. Though we unfortunately did not see any local wines on the menu, there were extensive appealing options from many other places around the world, including New Zealand and California.

For dinner, I selected a Truffle Crumb Stuffed Breast of Chicken, as I always like seeing how restaurants deal with the simplicity of chicken. While the sauce on my chicken was a little strong, the accompanying Portobello fries (strips of Portobello mushrooms, breaded and friend to perfection) were incredibly unique. Mama Z ordered the Filet Mignon topped with a Gorgonzola sauce, which was so delicious that I eventually stole her plate from her to finish off some of the delicious sauce that was left behind. We were also sorely tempted by the special that night, a Braised Lamb Shank with lentils, pancetta, and red onion, which sounded like another great mix of flavors.

Even though our stomachs told us “no,” our mouths were quickly saying “yes” when we took a look at the dessert menu. I opted for two scoops of the homemade sorbet (mango and passion fruit that day), while Mama went with the Oreo Cookie-Crusted Budino Pudding. Coming from a non-dessert lover, I have to say that her dessert was something all its own, and worth heading to 75 Main just for that. It was a layered confection in a clear glass, not unlike a parfait, and it had Oreos and warm pudding and whipped cream and caramel sauce and happiness. If you order nothing else, order this.

Overall, 75 Main lived up to the enormous expectations I built up for it in my mind. Chef Militello has artfully crafted a menu that is both delicious and exciting, all in the unique atmosphere that is Main Street, Southampton.