Something to chew on for Sag Harbor and East Hampton Rugby is in overtime

Bella!

Hi everyone, it feels good to be back.    I took a few months off (as I often do from this blog) and I promise I'll be more consistent this time (I promised that before too).  So much has been going on but if I seem a bit blurry eyed, it's mostly due to my puppy Bella.  Yes, I have a new dog since the passing of Boo.  But I have to say, that while she does look a lot like her older sister, she's her own girl.  She's full of spunk and quite the terror on my other dog poor Russell.  In fact, when we asked Russell what we should name her, he suggested Bu-jo (think Boo with Cujo).   So, if I'm a bit rambling here it's because of my need for sleep.   I've been doing too many 2 am bathroom breaks.  Here she is!  Yeah, it's actually easier when they're cute!

A new tenant!

Well you might have already heard but the "Paradise Cafe" in Sag Harbor shuttered it's doors a few months ago.   Apparently, negotiations to renew the lease went nowhere.    Luckily,  you can still enjoy Chef and owner Robert Durkin's cuisine at "Robert's"in Water Mill.   Well last night I ran into restaurateur Michael Gluckman who told me he's going into the space that was Paradise right in the heart of Sag Harbor.    While I'm disappointed to see Paradise go, I'm happy to know  there will be something good going in it's place.   Michael has always had solid restaurants that were reasonably priced with a great menu and good food.   I found his "Lodge" to be one East Hampton's best watering holes with a diverse and satisfying menu, he tells me he's hoping to do something similar here.     

In the meantime, I'm hoping Paradise returns to Sag Harbor soon, I miss the Bolognese pasta, the best I've ever had and the Roast Chicken with Rosemary was sublime... wait I can't say sublime, that sounds pretentious... It was AWESOME.   Better.   Anyway, maybe Paradise can go into the spot that was Phao in Sag Harbor,  because apparently twice wasn't the charm and according to sources, they're going the way of the 8-track tape.    

Soon to be a collectors item!

OK, enough talking about food.  I'm getting hungry and I have to work out first.   If I don't I won't be able to fit into my Ralph Lauren Rugby shirts, which will soon be collectors items.    Yep, it's true the Rugby brand will soon be no more.   I'm not sure why because the store in downtown Manhattan and the one in East Hampton were always packed.  But fear not lovers of the Earl of East Hampton (Ralph Lauren-he virtually owns EH  retail) my poorly placed sources have hinted that it will soon be a RL Home store.   I guess we'll have to wait and see. 

Finally, I hope I made up for a long, long, long absence from the blogosphere.   If I haven't here's one last bit of good advice, at STAPLES they're selling cases of Pelligrino water for $4 a case!  Yes, $4 a case.  It's an amazing deal.  

   

What's the hardest reservation in the Hamptons??? Plus, since there is no good Mexican anywhere, make it yourself!

So what's the hardest reservation in the Hamptons? Is it Nick & Toni's? Is it the East Hampton Grill? Is it ... oh this is getting annoying, I'll just tell you. It's Beach Paws in Wainscott! So, how is the food? Well it depends if you like Mighty Dog or Eukanueba but that's the real reason to go there. The reason to bark about Beach Paws is it is the best dog grooming service in the Hamptons bar none! Lara Plimpton and her team do miracles for my kids Boo and Russell. In fact, my fidos are fond of getting the mannies, peddies and fluffing there, it's more tail wagging than between the leg shakes. I don't know how they do it but Lara makes if fun for them. But if you think you're going to drop by for a quick rinse and blow dry guess again. It's by appointment only (sometimes a week or so in advance) but like all things in life it's well worth the wait. Beach Paws is located at 348 Montauk Hwy in Wainscott. 631-537-4590. When you go, make sure to tell Lara Boo sent you!

Now, I am not a food critic. But I do like food and my favorite is Mexican. So when I heard that they were opening up Agave in Bridgehampton, I was psyched. Now, I've yet to go there and try the food but I can't get anyone to go with me. Apparently the buzz is so bad about this place, I don't know anyone who will join me in the place Well, maybe in the Fall they'll get their act together (fingers crossed). So in the meantime, I'm always in search of good south of the border stuff to go. Well, I can say with certainty, I've found what is probably the best salsa I've ever had!

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It's at Sean's Place in Southampton. It's made fresh and includes fresh tomatoes, cilantro and I think strawberries. So if your in Southampton. take the time go to Sean's Place and let me know if you agree. But don't worry if you don't want to make the trip just for Salsa, owner and trained chef Sean King has more awesome stuff for those with an epicurean pallet.

Meanwhile, in spite of the latest shaking on Wall Street most of my friends in the biz tell me it's full steam ahead. I have to agree. So if you're holding off before buying hoping for a crash like back in '08, forget it. Buyers are still out there and taking advantage of the lowest interest rates in history. Remember, there is only so much Hamptons land and real estate around!

On Georgica Pond!

This is why I love the Hamptons. Boo, Peter and Russell's favorite spot

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Call it the Baby Jessica event of the Hamptons... or the Chilean Dog Minor of East Hampton!! TV Movie is soon to follow!!

Who said there is no excitement in the Hamptons in the winter. Take the following case of the mischievous Beagle mix known as Russell. This morning as I was finishing my final cup of coffee before heading out the door and emergency arose. NO, it had nothing to do with Ann Currie saying something inane again on the Today show. It involved a loud bark coming from the back yard.

As I went outside, I saw my trusty and well behaved girl Boo digging away at the side of the pool house! What was she doing?? Wait there's another bark coming from... GASP.... underneath the pool house!!! Oh my god, I had visions of Jo Beth Williams somehow working her way into a TV version of what could be a truly tragic event!!! "BABY JESSICA 2; RUSSELL'S TRAPPED!" The air was filled with tension and suspense. But as often is the case in times of tragedy, the spirit of man causes him to rise to the occasion. WE ARE ALL HEROES DEEP DOWN INSIDE (cue David Bowie song)!



Luckily my trusty house manager Daniel Strohmeir was there with crow bar in hand. If you know me well, you know why I often owe mine, Boo, Peter and Russell's very survival to Daniel. This morning all of our lives came crashing together in what could have been a tragedy!! In all seriousness for a second, I got scared when the little guy stopped barking for a few minutes. I actually got a shiver thinking what if somehow Russell really got himself hurt down... choking or suffocating! Yikes, maybe I should have called the fire department. I mean they rescue cats out of trees right?!

No, never call the fire department or the police in the Hamptons unless it's an absolute emergency. Because knowing my luck Russell would pop out the minute I did and I would end up being disgraced in the community fire/police blotter as the neurotic crack pot who called over his dog chasing a rabbit under a pool house. Read the Hamptons police blotters and you learn so much about the community. My favorite of late was the gentleman crackpot on Georgica beach who called 911 after a dog owner forgot to pick up some poop! It's a true story and no it wasn't me. I was on a cruise and have proof to back my claims. Now back to the rabbit chasing Russell. Did I say he was chasing a rabbit before?! Well that's my theory anyway.
Anyway, after about 90 minutes of tension, tears and fears. Russell was liberated thanks to a quickly kicked and pulled hole in the floor. Russell didn't say much about his ordeal after the liberation. But I have noticed he's all of a sudden taken an interest in the New York City Marathon website. Is his surfing of said website an indication he's planning to run like a certain Chilean Miner next fall! ONLY TIME WILL TELL!! By the way, I think I want Doug Savant to play me in the TV version, don't you think that's good casting?! (photo of a concerned Boo, eager to help-she did actually start digging a hole and ripping shingles off the house)

Finally some quick Almond update gossip. Rumors are floating that Eric Lemonides will take almond into... ta dah... BOBBY VANS. While I really doubt that scenerio big time. My bets are going to COPA around the corner. The School Street restaurant has been kind of quiet lately. It's just my theory anyway!

The most awesome looking tree in the Hamptons!

I've been living out east now full time for about 8 years. One of the sights I see during the month of October on my way to the office is this tree. It's located on Brick Kiln Road, right off of Scuttle Hole. Now, I know it seems silly but this tree just has me in awe! It's the color. It's the shape. I mean if you were to draw a picture of the idea tree in the fall, THIS WOULD BE THE TREE! I know I'm going on and on over something rather mundane but look carefully. I'm right! Isn't this tree amazing!

Just a little note to friends of mine who sware the Sag Harbor Halloween Parade and Pumpkin trail are this Saturday... You're wrong. The "Rag A Muffin" parade starts at 11 o'clock followed by thousands of little sugar jacked beggers following the "Pumpkin Trail" at stores and businesses all over town requesting free candy. Just a little note, there is an epidemic of obesity in America, so this year I'm giving out carrot sticks. They're delicious, healthy and the kids love them!!! Happy Halloween All!

By the way, the costumes that you don't want to be wearing this year include... LADY GA GA, ANYBODY FROM "AVATAR", STEPHEN SLATER OF JET BLUE FAME OR A CHILEAN MINER! All of these are hackneyed and overdone. Think of something original... be more like my dog Boo. Superdog! Im so shocked she's never bitten me!

Hey, I just got a new layout... what do you think? And a SHOUT OUT to one of my competitors!

Its my stream of consciousness blog today! I went last night for dinner to 1770 House and actually sat UPSTAIRS! It was for the prix fixe of course, $29.00. It was awesome. The food is always terrific and the service was an A+! Most of my table had the Mahi Mahi with a main course of Chedder Cheese Brioche (which are free)... I ordered the Olive Twist bread as my main dish. MY POINT?! Eat upstairs at 1770 House, you're worth it!

So after dinner, we headed across the street to see Alec Baldwin in the Guild Hall production of Equus. Anyway for those of you who don't know the story... according to wickipedia; Equus is a play by Peter Shaffer written in 1973, telling the story of a psychiatrist who attempts to treat a young man who has a pathological religious/sexual fascination with horses.[1]

Shaffer was inspired to write Equus when he heard of a crime involving a 17-year-old who blinded six horses in a small town near London. He set out to construct a fictional account of what might have caused the incident, without knowing any of the details of the crime. I guess I'm not really a theatre person because after an hour and a half, I had to be restrained in my seat because I wanted to blind myself and be rushed out of the show! By the way, all of my 5 friends loved the show. What do I know!?

Meanwhile, I became a father again this week. Yes, I have a new four legged child! How??? Well apparently in the South, dropping your dog off at a kill shelter after about two years seems to be no big deal. Luckily there are some people in the Hamptons who think this is as terrible as I do! My friend Cliffeton Green who is an agent at Corcoran was telling me about a dog she was fostering for LAST CHANCE ANIMAL RESCUE. We were doing a deal together and it was better than any 6% commission I ever got! NO, I'M NOT RETURNING THE MONEY FROM THE LAST DEAL.. BUT I AM MAKING A DONATION! But I digress... anyway, I ended up adopting Russell! He's about 2 years old and a beagle mix. So Russell is now a happy member of my household and teaching my "angel" Boo about such wonderful past times as; stealing food off the counter tops, digging under the back yard fence to escape and chasing gophers in the backyard at 4 am! Anyway, when he looks at you and wags his tail, it makes it all worth it. Thanks Cliffeton, Russell is the best!! If you want to help LAST CHANCE ANIMAL RESCUE too, here's their website http://www.lcarf.org/index.php They're in need of volunteers to foster more dogs. I would offer to take another dog but I'm spending all of my time keeping Russell in line!

They're being mean to Boo!!!

(getting ready for action and a donut!)

Warning... danger...apparently the town of East Hampton is a little cranky these days and they're aiming their ire at "man's best friend." Did they just say gat that bitch out of here!? Understand, every Saturday and Sunday my girl Boo goes to the beach to hang with her buddies; Bailey, Bailey (yes, apparently that liqueur is quite popular in the Hamptons thus many owners with booze on their brain have named their dogs) Tucker, Woody and Kipper. Well according to the town, you have to be off the beach by 9am. In the past, there was a little room for those of us who have issues with time management.... BUT NO LONGER! Slightly chunky high school students are now making their summer bucks issuing summonses to owners who fail to get their pooches of the beach by 9:01am!!! I know of a few people who have already gotten "busted" and were shocked to see that its not just a fine, YOU HAVE TO MAKE A COURT APPEARANCE! Something tells me, we're about to buy Bill McGintee a better lawyer! Well today's blog is short, sweet and to the point... and yes I told you so!!


Finally a real estate note... I know of a bank owned property south of the highway in the Georgica area. It orignally came onto the market at about 9 million dollars and is now about 50% off. Let me know!!!

Doggone it!!! I'll soon let you know if piping plover really do taste like chicken!!!

While walking along the beach with my beloved dog Boo, I discoverd the following sign on what I long believed to be one of the friendliest dog beaches around!! NO DOGS! So, what's up with this? Well it's due to none other than the wonderful piping plover of lore!! Apparently they've chosen to nest on the beach between Indian Wells and Two Mile Hollow. Let me be honest, one of the only reasons I agreed to move and buy a house here is because I love to take Boo for long walks on the beach. This has now gone too far and I understand the frustration of when they cancelled the fireworks because of the birds! Did they have to fence off the whole beach?! Well just know Boo and I will still continue to stroll the beach but on the surf line. There are no signs and no fences there!! But have no fear.. not all of the Hamptons are unfriendly to man's best buddy!

My favorite numero uno place for pooches in the Hamptons is the Hampton Pet Club in Water Mill. Owner Jason Neimark and his entire staff will treat your pet like one of their own. The pet club offers dooggy day care, boarding and training sessions . The accomidations are wonderful, many of the dogs get their own "rooms" complete with beds and televisions... no cages here!! The doggy daycare is awesome, Jason regularly goes out and throws some toys around with the kids and they get some good runnning in. The dog yard does have it's draw backs though.... the POLITICS!!! Apparently dog clicks are no different than your high school. I'm disheartened though to say, my beloved girl gets along with everyone but she instead chooses to hang in the office with the staff, like one of those geeky kids who sharpened pencils and filed in the Principals office all day! MY DOG IS A GEEK! OH NO!!!

Finally, for food , toys and the occasional grooming.... go see Harbor Pets in Sag Harbor on Bay St. They've got the goodstuff there for your four legged companions both canine and feline. Merricks, EVO , Wellness and Science Diet are all available. The owner Alan (oops. don't know your last name) and his staff are friendly and helpful. They also have grooming services available by appointment. If you go in and tell them you read this blog...he'll even give you a FREE GIFT! SERIOUSLY! By the way... I had to put a picture of Boo in my blog!! HERE IT IS!!