The Hamptons, NY

The Hamptons beaches are renowned for their pristine beauty. Long wide stretches of white sand. One travel magazine rated them among the best in the world. What is somewhat unusual is that there are ocean and bay beaches. The bay beaches being less crowed with calmer surf.

Main Beach in East Hampton is the preferred beach by most, it is where all the beautiful people flock. Many, however, like Georgica Beach, Apaquogue Road and Lily Pond Lane. Equally as beautiful, less crowded with a backdrop of mansions and estates. In season, parking is an issue without a town permit. Best to take bicycles. My favorite beaches are in Montauk, unspoiled, uncrowded and no attitude.

Montauk Downs State Park. 15 minute drive from East Hampton. Called, “Shinnecock Hills for the poor unwashed” Some think it is the best public course in America. As close to Scottish golf as you can get. Greens fees an unbelievably low $36.

An 1 1/2 hours away in Farmingdale is the mecca of public golf, Bethpage, sight of the 2002 U.S. Open. Great golf is never too far!

There are public courts at East Hampton High School (2 Long Lane), Bridgehampton High School (Montauk Highway), Southhampton High School (Leland Lane) and Mashashimuet in Sag Harbor (Main Street). Fees range from $10-$20/hour. The East Hampton Indoor Tennis Club offers both indoor and outdoor facilities to non-members.

You can bike just about anywhere. Montauk Highway has a wide shoulder which makes it easy to get from town to town. Bike routes are marked. My favorite walking/running area is the East Hampton Village Trail, a beautiful wooded trail along a brook, accessed from David’s or Hunting Lane. Best place to rent bikes is Sag Harbor Cycle Co, Main Street in Sag Harbor.

Puff & Putt, Main Street, Montauk, rents canoes, rowboats, kayaks and small sailboats for use on Fort Pond.Main Beach Surf & Sport, Montauk Highway, Wainscott is located across from Georgica Pond and has just about anything you may need for water related sports. Uihlein’s in Montauk does the same.

Montauk is considered the Sportfishing Capital of the World because many of the world record fish were caught off Monatuk. Three choices for fisherman; surf fishing (for striped bass) which can be done just about anywhere, but Montauk beaches are considered the best, charter boats (up to six people) or party boats (up to 100 people).

ProSport Charters (631-668-2154) can arrange a charter for you or call the Blue Fin IV Most of the party boats are out of Montauk. Viking Fishing Fleet is the largest.

Deep Hollow Ranch, Montauk Highway, Montauk. Oldest working cattle ranch in the country. There are 1 1/2 hour trial rides for $40, but the better choice is the 2 hour beach ride for $50. Pretty special.

“Long Island has the potential to be the East Coast version of the Napa Valley, a food and wine mecca” says Marvin Shanken, Publisher, Wine Spectator. Long Island is home to over 50 vineyards ranging in size from 2 acres to 600 acres. The wines are winning awards nationally and internationally and are served in some of the finest restaurants in New York City.

Here’s some favorites and considered to have the best wines;  Channing Daughters,  Paumanok,  Macari, Shinn Estate Vineyards, Lenz Winery, and Bedell. Look for events like the Long Island WinterFest.

Art galleries are big time in the Hamptons and if you are there during the season, there seems to be art show openings every night. There are galleries scattered in many towns, but the largest concentration is in East Hampton. Ann Kolb on Main Street features American crafts and folk art, Wallace Gallery on Main Street specializes in 19th and 20th century American art and Wally Findlay Galleries, Main Street displays old masters, impressionists and contemporary artists. See also White Room Gallery in Bridgehampton and Fitzgerald Gallery in Westhampton Beach.

The Hamptons offer a treasure trove of interesting and exquisite antique shops. Many are only open during the summer. We’ve listed a few of the more interesting which are open year round. Call for hours.
English Country Antiques. Bridgehampton and Southampton. As the name suggests, specializes in English antiques and reproductions.
Urban Archeology. Bridgehampton. Great idea. Salvages architectural pieces from buildings about to be demolished.
Fisher’s Antiques. Sag Harbor. Country pine antiques and reproductions. Painted and distressed furniture.
Black Swan Antiques. Sag Harbor. varied product availability.

Museums

Parrish Art Museum. Southhampton.  Focuses on work by artists from the artist colony of the South Shore and North Shore. South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center.

Theater/Performing Arts

Westhamption Performing Arts Center. World-class performing arts, music, dance, comedy and cinema from around the world. Guild Hall, East Hampton. Arts, entertainment, and education center for the community

Plenty to keep the shopaholic busy. Many designers, Betsey Johnson, Cynthia Rowley, Eileen Fisher to name a few, have shops in East Hampton in the summer. There’s Tiffany’s and Polo and Coach in East Hampton, a Villeroy and Boch Factory Outlet in Southhampton and many shops and boutiques in the other towns. East Hampton, Southhampton and Sag Harbor have the most choices.

Breakfast

All of our Featured Properties offer breakfast and the American Hotel in Sag Harbor is also open to the public. Babette’s on Newtown Lane in East Hampton has lots of healthy stuff, but it’s good…Don’t miss getting a donut at Dreesen’s, also on Newtown Lane. The Golden Pear in East Hampton has lots of fans and Citarella’s has breakfast take-out. Our new favorite is Brent’s General Store in Amagansett for breakfast sandwiches, bakery goods and fresh OJ. Feeling like a bagel and a “schmear”. Head to Goldberg’s in Montauk, East Hampton and Amagansett.

Brunch/Lunch

75 Main in Southampton is an Italian/New American restaurant serving breakfast, lunch/brunch and dinner. In nice weather, this celebrity favorite spills out onto the sidewalk and after dark its lounge is one of the Hamptons “hot” spots. Our Friday afternoon brunch was delicious with their roast beef tenderloin hash with potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, sweet peppers and poached eggs.

Rowdy Hall, down a little alley off Main Street in East Hampton offers delicious pub food and traditional “fish & chips” and with its roaring fireplace, is perfect for a rainy or cold day. In nice weather tables are set out on the patio. The Palm Steakhouse in East Hampton is open for lunch on weekdays in a cozy space with comfy booths in the Hunting Inn. Also in East Hampton, Cittanuova offers a delicious lunch menu and outdoor seating. Any meal at the American Hotel is good. Lunch or Sunday brunch at the Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island is a wonderful experience in late Spring thru early Fall. Sitting on the terrace overlooking the water is a wonderful way to spend part of your afternoon.  On the North Fork, a lunch at the exquisite Jedidiah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport is an adventure and oh so romantic. Great food and wine list.

Any Meal

Pierre’s in Bridgehampton may be the Hamptons best all-around restaurant serving every meal in a warm and cozy setting. Tables on the sidewalk in nice weather, a delightful book lined back room with a fireplace and booths in the main room. The food is excellent, the service is charming and they have a Wine Spectator award winning list. Try the burger on a brioche bun.

Steak

How many small towns have a branch of two nationally famous steakhouses? You’ll find the venerable Palm Restaurant right on Main Street in East Hampton with all its wonderful charm; leather booths, fireplaces and hardwood paneling. Bobby Van’s in Bridgehampton is the other. Both fantastic.

Sushi

Unfortunately, not my thing, but locals rave about Sen in Sag Harbor on Main Street. Very cool decor. Zagat says, “Satisfied sushi samurai give their seal of approval to this Sag Harbor Japanese for its fresh, creative rolls and sexy, stylish atmosphere; yes, the service may be lacking (but the waitresses are beautiful) and it could be renamed sin, because at these prices you’d think they were flying the fish in from Tokyo, but it’s a true sen and be sen Hamptons hot spot, and there’s a reason people wait in line to eat here; N.B. no reservations taken.”

Burger

I’ve always been a fan of the burger at Rowdy’s, but the opening of Union Burger Bar in Southampton has created a whole new standard. Incredible selection of burgers, the best fries in the Hamptons and they have a cocktail bar! Yeah!

Oyster Bar

Morty’s Oyster Stand, on the site formerly known as Cyril’s Fish House, features an assortment of daily rotating fresh oysters, Maine uni and other raw bar noshes. Boswick’s on the Harbor in East Hampton is another seasonal oyster and raw bar. The Bell & Anchor in Sag Harbor and its sister restaurant Fresno in East Hamption offer $1 Montauk Pearls every Sunday night.

Lobster/Seafood

Duyrea’s in Montauk is a casual waterside, seasonal restaurant, but if you are there Spring-Fall and want the freshest seafood (particularly lobster), this is the place. Literally right off the boat fresh!

Wine Bar

The #1 place to drink wine in the Hamptons is the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. First, because it is open all the time, second because its a great venue, but most importantly, it is the only Wine Spectator Grand Award winner in the Hamptons. Honorable mention to 1770 House, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner and Pierre’s Bridgehampton, Best of Award of Excellence winner, both open for lunch.

Cocktails

The #1 place for cocktails and an incredible sunset is the Montauket Hotel. Few places anywhere can match it. For year round enjoyment, try the Living Room at the Maidstone. Blazing fireplaces in winter, great drinks and don’t miss some of their Swedish meatballs as an app. The Blue Parrot,  seasonal, sits down a small alley off Main Street in East Hampton. Amazing margarita’s, guacamole and chips. Sen, in Sag Harbor has a great vibe and a good Saki and Wine menu. The American Hotel is a gathering place for locals, Pierre’s in Bridgehampton has a lively Happy Hour crowd and Topping Rose, also in Bridgehampton makes some of the most creative cocktails around. When the weather is nice, I love the Firepit at Gurney’s on Montauk.

Wine Shop

On the North Fork, you can purchase wine at any of the 50+ wineries. In the Hamptons on the south shore, locals rave about Towne Cellars in Manorville for selection of quality wines.

Picnic Fixins

Citarella’s, Main Street, East Hampton. Just about anything you can think of from sandwiches to salads to prepared foods. This is one of those fun places for foodie’s. It’s enjoyable just strolling the aisles and looking at all they have to offer. Great place to pick up dinner if you are staying in and cooking.

Get Cheesy

Three great choices for wonderful selections of cheeses and pates; Cavaniola’s Gourmet, Amagansett, Citerella’s, Main Street, East Hampton and the Village Cheese Shop in Mattituck on the North Fork.

Morning Paper

Hampton Bagel on North Main opens at 6am, papers are usually there by 6:30. Good coffee and bagels too!

While Away a Rainy Day

When its cold, locals congregate at Rowdy Hall around a warming fireplace. A bit of Irish flavor. Pierre’s is open all day with great food and wine and in Sag Harbor, the American Hotel and Page at 63 Main are a great gathering places.

Sunset

Maidstone Park Beach on Three Mile Harbor. See Special Things.

After Dinner Fun

Assuming you, like me, want to steer clear of the clubs and all the craziness, The Maidstone  in East Hampton and the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, offer weekend entertainment, usually in the form of a piano player. Both are wonderful, cozy places, great just for an after dinner drink, made even better with the piano bars.

The Firepit at Gurney’s Montauk is a wonderful after dinner drink spot with music, a great vibe and those magical ocean views.

Get Pampered

Naturopathica, just outside East Hampton on Montauk Highway in the Red Horse Plaza. Full day spa services. Recommended by the locals.

Gym

East Hampton Gym, behind Citarella’s on Main Street in East Hampton. Branches in Sag Harbor and Southamptom. No frills, full range of equipment. $20/day.