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.  

   

Change, Change, Change.... or maybe not and your friend who got a $40,000 oceanfront rental is lying!

I keep hearing everyone talk about how "The Hamptons have changed so much over the past few years." Well, I beg to differ. I've compiled a list of things that are still the same out east. And remember as Carly Simon sang, "these are the good old days."

The best steak place in town is still The Palm.

Sushi is still free Thursday nights at Bamboo.

The bagels at Hampton Bagels on North Main are still the best.

The staff at Bagel Buoy in Sag Harbor is still nasty.

The American Hotel still has a great Saturday night bar crowd.

The lines at Walbaums in East Hampton are still way too long.

Friday night at Almond is still a bad place for DWF's to meet SWM's but hey, it's still fun!

Howie at Paradise is still the best bar tender.

Driving out on Friday night to the Hamptons can still take almost as much time as flying from NY to LA. Thank god we know Howie!

I'll still have to wait in line to get into Georgica.

There are still no $40,000 oceanfront summer rentals in Bridgehampton despite what your friend's friend is saying.

The East Hampton police still hit the beach at 9:01a on weekends to ticket dog owners.

You still need a mortgage to get a lunch at the Golden Pear.

And finally... the donuts at Scoop Du Jour are still just as good as when they were Dresen's.

So stop your belly aching folks and just enjoy the summer!!!


Finally... If you read this blog than you know about Russell my new terrorist... I mean dog. Anyway, he's here thanks to the folks at Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. Russell is also a big martini drinker so it only makes sense that he and I attend the first annual "Martini's for Mutts" to benefit the Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund, on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Yeah, I'm giving you plenty of advance notice.

Enjoy an evening of poolside cocktails to benefit this most worthy cause at the home of Edward Montak and Michelle Neufeld, at 214 Toppings Path in Sagaponack.

Last Chance Animal Rescue Fund is a charitable, not-for-profit organization, created to save the lives of animals. The organization states "We rescue animals that are located in "KILL" facilities and underwrite the costs of relocating them to "NO KILL" facilities in hopes of finding them a forever family. The minimum donation is $30. RSVP at neufeld.michelle@gmail.com.

http://www.lcarf.org/about.php

Also, look for last years weekly afternoon tea dance to be relocated to Bamboo in East Hampton. Details to come...

COOL WINE GLASSES

Who has the best burger in Sag Harbor??? Well, I just snapped this picture of Bay Burger in Sag Harbor and it appears to be another busy day at this hoppin little burger joint. Better yet go to the CORNER BAR in Sag Harbor, they have one amazing burger adn the price is right and the staff are cool and friendly. For something on the finer end... The New Paradise Cafe... sit at the bar and make sure you tell Howie I sent you! I'll talk more about Howie in another post.. he runs the Cheers bar of Sag Harbor. I like to think of myself as the Cliff of town.

Since I often go to place where everybody knows my name... and no, I'm not talking about my group therapy sessions.... I'm often forced to entertain poolside at my humble little chapeau! But what am I to do when all of my friends are rude and clumsy!!! I serve them drinks in plastic cups! But all of you know I'm too elegant for simple Dixie Cup!!! If you go to http://www.simplysmartliving.com/, you can buy the most amazing polycarbonate stemless wine glasses. They're $9 bucks a pop and look identical to the Reidel glass ones. They're chic and very cool... for a cheaper version of these glasses go to http://www.govinowine.com/ .... these are the ones I use. They retail for $2.99 band have a nifty little indentation for your thumb. No more slippery Soave Bolla. They're not great in the dishwasher - - - handwash these puppies but heck these are so cool I don't mind soaking my hands in dishwater... besides I use Pomolive!!! Anyway, my two cents for today. Have a great weekend and maybe I'll check in tomorrow!!