Dan's Taste of Summer Countdown: Chef/Owner Colin Ambrose, Estia's Little Kitchen

Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company returns Saturday, July 23, but to a new Bridgehampton location—the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox. As Estia’s Little Kitchen chef/owner Colin Ambrose says, “The Dan’s Papers Taste is fun and painless. I like the energy in the tent.” Ambrose offers some great advice on enjoying the good life in the Hamptons this summer: “relax, make good choices with your diet, support a local farmer, smile at your waitress, listen to your heartbeat and stay out of the left lane on the Long Island Expressway.” Estia’s Little Kitchen is a longtime favorite for breakfast and is located just outside of Sag Harbor Village, but the restaurant is also a top pick for lunch and dinner.

Which of your dishes would you most like to serve to another chef?
Lately my pals like the breakfast dish we call Migas, it’s like tomatillo- and chili-soaked French toast with red beans and braised pork.

What fuels your creativity as a chef?
Creative juice comes from the look in my customers’ eye when they find something that inspires them on one of my plates.

What local ingredients are you using right now?
The first shoots of mint from my garden.

What is your local beverage, or cocktail, of choice this season?
My local beverage of choice is always Lymanade. We infuse it with whatever comes from the garden, strawberries, blueberries, cucumber and mint. It’s fresh, refreshing and delicious.

How has the gluten-free eating trend affected your menu?
Gluten-free options have always been on my menus; we just have more people asking for them. I like to think corn tortillas are a nice option; Mr. Farmer’s Breakfast with tofu scramble and black bean tacos is a new example of the type of gluten free/vegan option we offer at Estia’s Little Kitchen.

Please complete this sentence: My mother would not approve of…but she would approve of the flavor I get from…
She approves of most everything I do these days, especially when I remind my daughters to call Grandma regularly. The flavor comes from our conversations about her recipes and mine. My mother is simply happy I’m still alive.

I could survive on a desert island if I just had:
All I’d need is a knife, a spool of fishing line and a handful of Clousers (saltwater flies). Oh and a nice flint and steel too.

Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 22, and continues on Saturday, July 23, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks presented by Farrell Building Company, both on the waterfront at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton. The oceanfront food and drink fest ClambakeMTK at Gurney’s Montauk, premieres on Saturday, July 30. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, is Saturday, August 20 at McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. For tickets and more information on all Dan’s Taste of Summer events, visit DansTaste.com!​