Food Seen: Chef Scott Kampf, Bananas Are Berries & More

Get to know Union Sushi & Steak chef Scott Kampf, find out the latest hot local restaurant news, learn fun facts like bananas are berries, and more from the East End “Food Seen.”

Chef Highlight: Scott Kampf, Executive Chef of Union Sushi & Steak, Southampton Social Club and Union Burger Bar

New York native Scott Kampf has been a professional chef for over two decades and has led an illustrious career with a focus on French American cooking. His various honors along the way include the acclaimed Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Award of Excellence and Star Chef’s People’s Choice Award. Kampf also had a stint as a team challenger on the Food Network’s Iron Chef America and was later asked to appear on Kitchen Nightmares.

Kampf’s career largely consisted of work as a private chef for stars and professional athletes alike. He developed his natural cooking ability while living abroad and traveling around France, Italy and Spain to study international cuisine. It was there that Kampf learned about local fare and developed his unique, personal style as well as a taste for market-fresh food.

After returning stateside, he worked in different kitchens along the East Coast and eventually landed in the Hamptons where he currently resides. Kampf’s fresh interpretation of various cuisines has already earned him a strong New York following. Kampf, who is widely regarded as one of the top Hamptons chefs, is an important ingredient in restaurateur Ian Duke’s recipe for success — serving as executive chef for Southampton Social Club, Union Burger Bar and Union Sushi & Steak. It’s at these Hamptons hotspots that Kampf calls on over 20 years of expertise offering East End foodies an innovative menu crafted with the season’s finest and freshest ingredients.

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No need to kiss lobster rolls goodbye, the Shinnecock Lobster Factory will be staying open year-round! The eatery dishes up classic seafood treats with a few unique variations on traditional lobster rolls like Cajun and Mediterranean style. What makes their lobster stand out from the rest? They are entirely dedicated to using fresh lobster only and not just any lobster, partner Marco Barilla drives to Maine twice a week to pick up fresh lobster! You can enjoy their delicious bites either at the factory’s walk-up window located adjacent to the Shinnecock Indian Outpost on Montauk Highway or at their food truck.

Congratulations to East End-based restaurant group, Rooted Hospitality Group, for coming in at #13 across Long Island in Schneps Media’s Top Places to Work for mid-size (150–499 workers) companies. The group operates RUMBA, Cowfish, RHUM, AVO TACO and their latest, flora, in Westhampton Beach.

There’s a new Italian market on Main Street in Montauk: Alimentari Beach. It serves espresso, cocktails and pizza, as well as fresh pasta and more. It’s brought to you by the same owners of TT’s Montauk, the TexMex place down by the docks. At Alimentari, there’s seating for dinner outside and a chef’s table inside for special dinners.

Are you ready for some football? NFL season has kicked off, so gather your biggest football fans, order some chow and cheer on your favorite team! TownLine BBQ offers some great barbecue combos perfect for your football crew. There’s the pulled pork sandwich kit with pulled pork, sliced bread or buns, coleslaw, pickles, baked beans and chips; the chicken and rib dinner with smoked chicken and pork ribs, coleslaw, pickles, baked beans and cornbread; and the TownLine Extravaganza kit with pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork and smoked chicken, collard greens, baked beans, cornbread and pickles. All combos can be ordered to feed four or eight people. Call your order in advance (631-537-2271) and pick up for your football viewing party.

Also, check out East Hampton Village’s CittaNuova for Monday Night Football. From 7–10 p.m. they have wing specials and $5 draft beers at the bar!

From the Rumor Mill: East Hampton may be home to not one but two breweries — one in Springs, the other in East Hampton Village. The Springs location, Springs Brewery, would occupy space adjacent to Springs Pizza in the building currently occupied by Hampton Auto & Collision not far from Fort Pond Boulevard on Springs-Fireplace Road. The East Hampton Village proposal calls for a brewery and restaurant that would be located west of the village on Toilsome Lane. Preliminary plans call for a 140-seat restaurant in the summer and seating for 105 in the winter. Both projects are in the very early stages of planning and review by the powers that be. Still, it’s exciting news!

Bits & Bites: Sag Harbor’s K Pasa has an all-day menu from noon until 9 p.m. as well as breakfast from 8–11:30 a.m. … Pellegrino’s Pizza Bar on Noyac Road is celebrating 10 years of pizza and such (dining room opens at 5 p.m.; closed Tuesday and Wednesday). … Sag Harbor classic Il Capuccino is open Monday through Saturday at 5:30 p.m. (Sunday at 5 p.m.) — don’t forget to order the garlic knots! … Sen, the sushi spot in Sag Harbor, is open seven days for dinner; and Friday through Tuesday for lunch. … Bridgehampton’s longtime staple, Bobby Van’s, is open seven days a week for lunch (noon–3 p.m.) and dinner (5–9 p.m.). … Shippy’s Pumpernickels in Southampton has a $21.95 complete dinner special ($24.95 Sunday dinner special, too) — look for great German and American cuisine. … Also in Southampton, Le Chef is celebrating 41 years serving from Tuesday to Saturday (1 p.m. to close) and Sunday (4 p.m. to close). … Ready to hit Montauk? Inlet Seafood, where there’s a water view from every table, is open seven days a week.

Did You Know: Clam Bar on the Napeague Stretch on the way to Montauk is in its 40th year? … The team at Coche Comedor in Amagansett commissioned a graffiti artist that goes by @18ism to paint a wall mural in the bar area?

Fun Food Facts: Bananas are berries (most “berries” are not). … Reverend Sylvester Graham invented the graham cracker to quell sexual urges. … Flamin’ Hot Cheetos were invented by a janitor who was working in the Frito-Lay plant.

Food Quote: “The only thing I like better than talking about food is eating.” ~ John Walters, Australian actor 

Got a restaurant news item or tip? Email us at dansfoodseen@gmail.com!