A LITTLE ARTIC FUNK.... BRING OUT YOUR INNER SOMMELIER.... AND SOMETHING NEW TO CHEW IN EAST HAMPTON!

It's snowing again!  So I guess that's why my brain is now frozen. Yes, I'm falling into my "Arctic Funk."  But I'm trying desperately to find a way to work my way through it.  I'm remaining positive and focusing on the good stuff.

I want to dress like a food wrapper!

work through it.   In fact, I'm not even going to mention my strained back or the exorbitant bills from the driveway plowing or the fact I have half-fast inter net... thank you very much Cablevision!   Today, I'm  going on a stream of conscious blogging adventure.  It's cathartic for me.... kind of like Katy Perry dressing like a bag of Wonder Bread or Cheetos and dancing with a shark.   I would have preferred if she had gone dancing with the Jets to be honest!   So, today if you're looking for some sort of thematic thread from Hamptons Chatter (the most inconsistent blog in the Hamptons) forget it!   Go read somewhere else!

Wainscott Wine and Spirits... Facebook Photo

It's Winesday/Wednesday according to Kathie Lee and Hoda!  So what better way to celebrate the hallowed hump day festivities then getting your buzz on!    Starting February 25th, Chimene Visser Macnaughton will be hosting a series of wine tasting events at  Wainscott Wine and Spirits.   Some of the topics to be discussed  will be "You say Spumanti, I say Frizzanti" and "Tresors of the Loire Valley."   Classes start at 5:30p in the store located located at 354 Montauk Highway, Wainscott... in the shopping center right next to the Seafood Shop.   Call the store a 631-537-5800 to register or e mail them at WAINSCOTTMAIN@gmail.com.   The cost is $10 and that's a bargain for some good wine and mingling with your Hamptons neighbors!  Hopefully I'll see you there and as the old Liza Minellli song goes, "life is a Cabernet!"

Finally some food news... the restaurant formerly known as "Nichols" has a new tenant.   A sign has now appeared that it's going to be known as "Winston's."    While I don't have a name of who exactly is opening the place, it's apparently going to be a Lobster and Steak house.   After all the restaurants that bit the dust in the past 12 months (maybe I should write them all obituaries?), it's good to finally hear someone is here to help fill the void!

Meanwhile is anyone else depressed that the former Peconic Coast.... JL East.... Beach House.... Hamptons Polo Club space is becoming a garden center?!    Cue the Barry Manilow song.

Is the Grill cooked... and we need a little Christmas in the Hamptons!

I know it's been wayyyyyyyyy toooo long since my last blog. But hey, really... I've been busy. So anyway, what's going on, let me see.

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Last month, the GRILL ON PANTIGO, formerly Wei Fun quietly closed their door for the season. But while the sign on the door says "see you next spring" the rumor is that the reopening will be "Wei unlikely." Apparently after an uneventful summer season, the owners have quietly but the business and the building on the block for a cool $5,000,000. I asked the management will they be reopening next spring and they claim they'll be there come warm weather... we'll see. While the inside space is pretty awesome, the food there just didn't cut the mustard.... or the house specialty rubber chicken (It made airplane food look good). I know it's not the location because before it was Wei Fun it was O'Malley's which was in the location for almost 20 years. Whatever it was O'Malley's was packed every night year round, let's hope the owners can get it right with the next incarnation.
Meanwhile, what's up with the lack of festivity in the Hamptons. I decided I was going to try and spot some of the best decorated windows around town from Montauk to Southampton. So you know how many windows I found worth discussing? 3! Yep, that's it folks three windows. Somewhere the Grinch is smiling about the humbuggery in the Hamptons. So who is worth discussing this holiday season?

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Well, JCrew for one... it's festive its fun and it looks like it took more than 20 minutes to put together! Yeah J Crew.
The other two are Ralph Lauren (we'll say all three stores) look awesome. But what else would you expect from the brand that ate the Hamptons. It's chic and unassuming and puts you in the holiday mood. So if your in East Hampton, check out Rugby, Polo Kids and the Polo stores.
Finally, I loved COMERFORDS windows in Bridgehampton. It's a funky metal Christmas tree in lights and a snow covered terrain that looks like it was made from old window shades. Totally cool and very innovative, the window is one of the funkiest in the Hamptons. So anyway, I'm trying to get more organized and get more blogs up. Please be patient and happy holidays everyone!!!

Why some people just hate the Hamptons Buzz!

Well it's been a few weeks since I sat down and blogged but I'm back after a brief hiatus. It was the end of the summer here and I just needed some time to breathe and enjoy the east end. The crazy crowds are gone and the planes,

helicopters and sea planes have gone south for the winter. Speaking of the air traffic. A group of local citizens are calling themselves the "QUIET SKIES COALITION." Their mission is to do something about the ever increasing air traffic on the east end. According the group summer traffic at East Hampton Airport is about the same as Islip! Which according to the group is all the more absurd because it's a "FAA UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT" subject to no local regulation. Considering the volume they have, they believe it's a disaster waiting to happen or at the very least get worse. There is also some concern about the property values of those who lie in the path of these planes and Sikorsky helicopters. Anyway, if you want more information about the Quiet Skies Coalition you can e mail them at info@quietskiescoalition.org or visit the website www.quietskiescoalition.org.


Meanwhile, most of this summer I have avoided the new Mexican restaurant Agave in Bridgehampton. Well I've since gone their twice and I will say the talk about it is a

little unfair. While it's not Rosa Mexicana, it is a definite improvement over the food at Blue Parrot. The chips were freshly fried, the service friendly and responsive. I've tried the enchiladas and the fajitas at Agave and I'll say both were pretty good. The chicken fajitas were my personal favorite and were perfectly done with a generous portion. So while I can't say you should run to Agave, I will say if you want a casual night out with some good Mexican food head there and just enjoy it for what it is... a decent night out in the Hamptons.

SPECIAL SATURDAY SHELTER ISLAND ISLAND BLOGGING!!!

Thanks to my friend Peter McCracken for his contribution (he wrote it) of today's blog!!! Shelter Island scares me but luckily I have Peter to guide me from the north to south ferries:

I had dinner at the new La Maison Blanche, formerly the Olde Country Inn, on Shelter Island. The newly renovated Inn & restaurant was fresh and up to date with a bistro style restaurant. The restaurant and lounge has a modern beach chic twist to it and a handsome crowd. The menu includes fresh local seafood and the always favorite steak frites. The bar, small but intimate, has a fireplace and a separate lounge with comfortable seating areas. There is also a large front porch with seating. The best feature is the new bakery that features fresh brewed coffee, pain au chocolate, croissants and baguettes freshly baked each morning starting at 6:00 a.m. There are 8 comfortable rooms with queen or king size beds if you wish to stay over. A soon to be addition will be the pool located in the garden…next summer! A new treat for Shelter Island and soon to be a popular hang out!

I think Peter liked it!!!

Two bucks will get you on the subway, but fresh garlic will get you a seat. I know where to buy it and announcing THE EAST HAMPTON GRILL!

Well, now that we all know that Della Famina is soon to be no more... I can tell you that the Hillstone Group the

people behind Houstons will soon be opening "THE EAST HAMPTON GRILL." I'll assume it's to be much like the PALM BEACH GRILL which the company owns and currently operates in that "OTHER" resort area. I only hope one thing, they have the Slow Roasted Pork Ribs, the Spinach artichoke dip and the crab cakes! It's funny but I've never heard so much buzz or excitement about the opening of a new restaurant in the Hamptons like I have about this. Sure NOBU is going to Southampton but as I said before, the lines will be longer at The East Hampton Grill!


Citarella is getting a run for it's money as Mike and Sandy DeGennaro, who own Long Wharf Wines in Sag Harbor and Southampton Wines at Water Mill Shops and Muse Restaurant & Aquatic Lounge chef Matthew Guiffrida have finally opened their long awaited AVANTI CULINARY MARKET.

Located at the site of the old Citerellas in Water Mill, I went to the shopping center the other day to buy cupcakes for a friend's birthday (at Water Mill Cupcakes) and ended up strolling through what is one of the best epicurean (thank you spell check) centers in the Hamptons. The prices are more than competitive with the other gourmet shops in the Hamptons but the staff was over the top helpful!! The selection of seafood and meats were well stocked but I was bowled over by the extensive selection of herbs and spices (why do I sound like I'm talking about KFC) with the slick and cool packaging.

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To be perfectly honest, I didn't try much of the prepared foods since I'm currently trying to squeeze into my 29" waist speedo so I can't comment. But I did try the tuna which the chef offered to turn into freshly prepared "tuna tare tare." It was probably the best I ever had! To make a long story longer or shorter, AVANTI is now open visit their website for more details. But why do that... just go... EAT!

Breaking News!!!! Della Femina sells to Hillstone Restaurant Group!

In news that is going to have all of the Hamptons a buzz... Jerry Della Femina has allegedly sold his East Hampton restaurant to the Hillstone Restaurant Group. In case you don't know the group it's the company behind the hugely successful HOUSTON'S restaurant group. The company recently changed their name to Hillstone's in the Manhattan locations. I'm not sure what the name will be here in the Hamptons, but I assure you the food will be awesome. I have long been a fan of Houston's/Hillstone in the city. Their salads, their steaks, their everything is fresh, a great portion size and at a great price. If I were The Palm, I would be very nervous right now. This will be the biggest restaurant on the east end this summer.... MARK MY WORDS! Look for an opening in early to mid May!

No more EH Village beach passes.... and a new fitness studio (sort of) in Sag Harbor!

It's official, East Hampton Village has officially ran out of 2011 Non-resident beach passes. So if you don't already have one, it's Indian Wells for you. But before you head out there make sure you at least have a town pass. There are plenty of those.

Well it's beginning to look a lot like spring time in the Hamptons. The crocus' are starting to pop up, some trees are budding and the stores and restaurants are getting prepped for the influx of summer visitors.

One of the more interesting renovations or expansions going on right now is wellNEST (yes, it's supposed to be spelled that way!) in Sag Harbor. In case you are not familiar with the shop, it was started by Richard Ash, MD, dedicated to organic and sustainable well being, from vitamins to juices and even eyewear. It's philosophy is all about better living inside and out. Well now they're opening a WellNEST fitness studio. Set for a May 1 launch and hoping to give Lululemon a run for their money, the studio will feature BHAKTI YOGA, a spiritual approach to the exercise that will also incorporate natural oils and aromatheropy (if my research is correct). Anyway, if you want more information give WellNest at call at 631-899-4600.

Oh and speaking of telephone numbers, Sag Harbor is apparently out of 725 exchanges. So, now 725 is the new 212! Be afraid of a slew of foreign and alien 3 digit extensions heading to a neighborhood near you!


Finally, they're getting ready for business at the old Farmhouse/Laundry restaurant. Apparently the former bartender and manager of Nichols, Colin Keilor is

getting ready to launch a new restaurant at the East Hampton location . From what I hear, they're looking at a Memorial Day opening. I don't know what the name of the place will be but I wish them the best of luck getting it together. I always loved the space at the Farmhouse/Laundry/Purple Cow but having been in there a few months ago, I can tell you the place was looking a little beat and needed a ton of work.