Hamptons Epicure: Giving Thanks for New Hamptons Dining & Gourmet Shopping

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all that the East End has to offer. A time of harvest, a time of reflection, a time of readying for winter. And…a time to eat, drink and shop! Here’s what’s new in East End dining and gourmet shopping.

Chef David Hersh’s latest destination restaurant Rhum is set to open on East Main Street in Patchogue just after Thanksgiving. It is said the menu will be similar to Rumba (one his Hamptons Bays places—the other is CowFish). So expect Caribbean-themed cuisine and tropical décor. Southampton architect Pamela Glazer has designed the East End’s first rooftop dining and bar for Rhum—to open in the spring’s warmer weather. A green wall goes all the way to the roof top skylight.

Sag Harbor’s Dopo La Spiaggia (formerly Tutto Il Giorno), a name that means “after the beach” in Italian, is about to open a larger outpost in East Hampton, in the former Race Lane space. The new location is more than double the size of the Sag Harbor seaside spot. Expect chef Maurizio Marfoglia’s southern Italian signature dishes, as well as new specialty items. His former business partner Gabby Karan is said to be pursuing opening another Tutto Il Giorno in Montauk.

Montauk’s Wok & Roll has been replaced by Soursop Tree. Jamaican-born Chef Clive Walker ran the kitchen for 20 years at Shagwong Tavern in Montauk before it changed hands last summer. Look to Walker to bring the heat!

Earlier this month, Zach Erdem re-opened his hot spot Summer House on the weekends. Summer House is attached to Kozu Hamptons, his Southampton sushi eatery. So in one spot, you have it all—DJs, great sushi, unfiltered sake and comfy guest rooms to rent upstairs. Of course you can also enjoy a meal and the see-and-be-seen atmosphere of 75 Main, Erdem’s restaurant just down the street from Kozu Hamptons.

Restaurateur Ian Duke opened Union Cantina in the former Southampton Publick House site on Bowden Square in June. This new restaurant’s kitchen is led by executive chef Scott Kampf, who also works at the Southampton Social Club with Duke. Prix Fixe deals—happily—abound on the East End in the off-season, but deep discounts are few. This fall, Union Cantina launched its Union Cantina Loyalty Program, which gives participants 15% off meals year-round. Plus there are specials every night of the week, live music on Fridays and DJs on Saturdays! The Southampton Publick House, meanwhile, is now well ensconced and bubbling away on Jobs Lane in Southampton, in the former Driver’s Seat space.

The popular upscale Italian eatery Tuscan House in Southampton is changing its name and approach. Chef/Owner William Oster said in an email, “after 13 years on the corner [of Jobs and Windmill Lanes], I have decided to rebrand and extend to all my patrons a new concept for 2017, showcasing the best of Tuscan and current Euro-American cuisine.“

Chef Marco Barrila opened Manna in the former Mirko’s space in Water Mill last January. This fall he debuted The Shinnecock Lobster Factory, his takeout seafood place located on the Shinnecock Reservation in Southampton. Where else can you get gourmet lobster rolls for under $20, as well as “sea burgers” and other soups and dishes from this top chef? If we knew, we’d be there right now!

The Bridgehampton Inn on Bridgehampton’s Main Street has a new toque at the helm in executive chef Brian Szostak and two books due out soon and…a cocktail lounge. As a relaxing candlelit space to enjoy mixologist and bartender Kyle Fengler’s weekly cocktail menu and small plates from their weekly dinner menu—this lounge beckons foodies and “drinkies” alike.

Anna Pump bought the Loaves & Fishes Food Shop in Sagaponack in 1980. She was soon joined in the kitchen by her daughter Sybelle Van Kempen. Van Kempen went on to open the Loaves & Fishes Cookshop on Bridgehampton’s main street. The two purchased the Bridgehampton Inn in 1994. In June of 2014, Van Kempen opened a restaurant in the inn that quickly drew renown for its original dishes, which focused on local ingredients. Last year Van Kempen expanded the Inn, doubling the number of guest rooms and moving the Cookshop to this site.

The first book due out is about the Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen at the Bridgehampton Inn—the history of the Inn, the story of its owners, the transition to today, how they cook now. The chapters are organized by ingredient, just like their biweekly menus, and the book features lots of photos of the people who make up the inner and outer circles of this family kitchen in action. The second book is an anniversary edition of Anna Pump’s original Loaves & Fishes cookbook, with new recipes featuring lots of photos of the Loaves & Fishes food store family kitchen over its first 36 years.

The popular seafood port of call, Canal Café in Hampton Bays, recently launched their food truck 27 EATS (a play on “27 East”). This roving eatery has already served its delicacies to movie casts and crews shooting on the East End. You can check them out at various area wineries and town fairs.

Crazy Beans took over the former Coronet Diner space on Front Street in Greenport in late September. This is the third Crazy Beans restaurant opened by owners Callie and Tim Martino—their others are in Miller Place and Stony Brook. Look for “crazy-good” breakfast and lunch dishes, in addition to coffee.

The North Fork Shack, Southold’s newest take-out restaurant on County Road 48 seats just 16 people, but it’s great for grab-n-go as you make your way to the wineries. Featuring an eclectic menu (clam chowder to fritters, pulled chicken to Cajun fish, and skirt steak tostados and tacos). It serves lunch and dinner year-round.

Popular pickle purveyor Backyard Brine Handmade Artisan Pickles has just opened its long awaited and much anticipated manufactury on Cox Lane in Cutchogue. You can still find their pickles for sale across Long Island and eight states, including at various Whole Foods. Backyard Brine’s delectable Cox Lane neighbors include Taste of the North Fork gourmet grocery and North Fork Potato Chips…

In September, 8 Hands Farm, a 28-acre sustainable livestock and produce operation in Cutchogue, that is named for the hands of the four family members husband and wife Tom Geppel and Carol Festa and their two children, who work it opened a butcher counter within its Cox Lane farm store. 8 Hands Farm will soon add a food truck to their property and a cheese-making facility. The chef at 8 Hands Farm, Julien Shapiro, who was a finalist at the World Championship of pâté croûte in France in 2012, is again competing in December. Shapiro’s pâté croûte is based on ingredients raised on this local farm.

Espresso North Fork opened on Mattituck’s Main Road last month, in the former Uncle Joe’s pizzeria space. Look for owner Corrado Paini’s focaccia sandwiches, which gained a devoted following at his original Espresso in Sag Harbor.

Main Road Biscuit Co. has replaced Jamesport Country Kitchen on Jamesport’s Main Road. (Jamesport Country Kitchen moved to the Jamesport Manor Inn on Manor Lane in Jamesport.) Owners Marissa and Bryan Drago create every imaginable biscuit and biscuit sandwich—as well as other comfort food standbys.

Check out the East End’s newest trattoria and bar, Centro, in the former Villa Tuscano space at 336 West Mo ntauk Highway in Hampton Bays. They’re now booking holiday parties….