The East End Is Standing Strong

The Hamptons looks to be fast emerging as the bustling local Summer getaway this 2020, in contrast to the ongoing woes inflicted on New York City by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many residents and seasonal visitors have already made their way to the East End and quarantined themselves for the past several months and are anxious to get back to normality, Hamptons style. Social Distance yourself on the golf course, dine at new and classic restaurants, and get to know the movers and shakers of the East End.

EAST END GOLFING

Hampton Hills Golf & Country Club is Westhampton Beach’s – and possibly the Hamptons –  best kept golfing secret, nestled amongst 2,000 acres of the Pine Barrens. Respected as one of the more challenging courses in the Hamptons, the masterfully designed golf and country club promises exciting activities for the entire family. The Hampton Hills Golf and Country Club’s peaceful, wooded setting allows club members to escape the city life and participate in friendly competition against a challenging Par-71 – 148 slope golf course featuring dramatic elevation changes. www.hamptonhills.com

Shinnecock Hills Golf Club is the most well-known of Golf Clubs in the Hamptons having played host multiple times to the US Open Golf tournament at least once in every century since its foundation. The architecture has not really been altered for nearly 50 years. Henry Kravis of KKR and George Herbert Walker IV of Neuberger Berman are amongst the Wall Street elite to test their mettle. Shinnecock will again host the U.S. Open in 2026. www.shinnecockhillsgolfclub.org

Not far from Montauk, Montauk Downs State Park Golf Courseoffers terrific views and challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round. Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course is a terrific choice for your regular rounds of golf or a new destination for you and friends when visiting Montauk. parks.ny.gov/golf

The Peconic Bay course, National Golf Links of America,derived its name from the fact that its founding 67 members were from across the United States. Although having never hosted one of “the majors,” the course, designed by Scot Charles B. MacDonald, has a strong private following including Stanley Druckenmiller and Jimmy Dunne III of Sandler O’Neill & Partners. www.ngla.us

NEW DINING EXPERIENCES

The newest arrival to the North Fork’s dining scene is the new incarnation of the Upper East Side French bistro classic, Demarchelier Restaurantat the Menhaden Hotel in the charming Village of Greenport (winner of the AHEAD Americas 2020 Award). Led by Emily and Benjamin Demarchelier, this restaurant is a family affair, that builds on the legacy of the Demarchelier family’s eatery in New York which served popular dishes include the Steak Tartare appetizer, and the duck a l’orange and moules mariniere entrées for over 25 years to a dedicated following. Their traditional French menu is paired perfectly with a wide range of predominantly French wines. Demarchelier looks to bring the North Fork of Long Island a taste of France! www.demarchelierrestaurant.com

Hampton Coffee Companyis a 25-year-old local family-owned chain of cafés and espresso bars located in Water Mill, Westhampton Beach, Southampton, and on the North Fork in Aquebogue. Each cafe features a fresh bakery and juice bar with homemade hot breakfast and lunch served from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Although they consider themselves a coffee company first, since they have their own coffee roastery in Southampton, Hampton Coffee Company is equally well-known for their Lean N’ Green breakfast wrap, blueberry muffins, and rotating lunch specials. They set up outside dining areas to practice social distancing. www.hamptoncoffeecompany.com

The team responsible for the successful East Hampton’s Dopo La Spiaggia has opened their latest establishment, Dopo Argento, taking over the former Silvers space on Main Street in Southampton. As with their other locations in Sag Harbor and East Hampton, classic Italian fish and meat dishes, and homemade pastas will be offered here, as well as fresh burrata and cherry tomatoes, scallop crudo, and spicy tuna tartare. www.dopolaspiaggia.com

Kissaki, the culinary experience honoring Japanese tradition, is open in Water Mill for delivery and dining. Kissaki’s menu will offer their signature premium omakase boxes, specialty rolls and more brought to you by Executive Chef Mark Garcia. To ensure safety, Kissaki’s two robots, their Maki Maker and Nigiri Maker, will be used for delivery and takeout orders.Starting as a downtown Manhattan hotspot, Kissaki’s premium quality sushi delivery experience quickly grew in popularity, prompting the opening of a second Manhattan outpost in Midtown East at Nerai to better serve nearly all of Manhattan. Water Mill is the growing brand’s third location. www.explorekissaki.com

WHO TO KNOW

Lisa Maysonet leads the Lisa Maysonet Team at Sotheby’s International Realty.As a real estate broker, owner, and investor for 40 years, her team members follow suit in experience, talent, and dedication. Their commitment to results comes with an exceptional approach to servicing buyers, sellers, and developers. To date, she has negotiated properties valued at over one billion dollars in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition to being an established top producer in the NYC market, her breadth of knowledge on real estate markets has expanded to include clientele from around the world. www.sothebyshomes.com

Randy Zelin, a highly sought after legal commentator for the media, is regularly on Fox News, Fox Business Channel, CNN, CBSN, CNN Headline News, Bloomberg, and Law and Crime. Zelin has been named a New York Super Lawyer in consecutive years from 2011 through 2020 and has over 30 years of experience defending individual and corporate clients in both State and Federal Courts across the United States. www.wilkauslander.com

Artist Jacques Lieberman is the first artist to create works of art in Adobe Photoshop, ushering in the digital age of art. A World War II Jewish refugee from Antwerp, Belgium, Jacques came to Brooklyn in 1959 where he went to school for and began working as an architectural designer. He later moved to SoHo and painted and sold his own art, making enough to quit his job to become a full-time artist and gallery manager. In 1988, Adobe Photoshop was introduced, and Jacques realizedhecouldusethesamecolorpalettesand geometricdesigncapabilitiestocreatecolorfulpiecesofartinafractionofthetimeittook himtocreateapainting. Hisprintscaughttheattentionofrenown artcriticssuchasHollandCotter,currentlyanartcriticoftheNewYorkTimesandmaintained hisowngalleryspaceonBroomeStreetsellinghisart. Jacques is married to chocolatier Maribel Liebermanof MarieBelle New York. www.jleditions.com

Jackie Botelho is the expert on everything from dining and entertainment to wellness and next-level networking. Her elite concierge company, Above and Beyond VIP Concierge (ABCVIP), partners with local businesses to provide curated all-inclusive Experiential Packages that are customizable and personalized for a reasonable price, as well as hosts virtual and live events that give back to the community. ABCVIP showcases these Experiential Packages and Events on their user-friendly website, www.abcvip.nyc. ABCVIP is setting a new standard for the hospitality industry and can’t wait to impress you.