Summer or winter, a weekend in the Hamptons is highlighted by the four basic Bs: Beach, bagels, Billy Joel (a sighting or maybe just an impromptu late-night rendition of Piano Man) and the biggie, brunch.
For New Year’s Day, South Fork restaurants will be serving up brunch specials all day long to help you kick off 2023 deliciously. There will be bagels, coffee, sweeter fare, and—if you dare — mimosas and Bloody Mary’s made for easing what ails you from the night before. Consider this your guide to starting 2023 on the right tastebud.
Rowdy Hall, 10 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-8555
No tie is required at this English-style pub, and that’s a gift on New Year’s Day. So is the mid-dy menu that can begin with Eggs benedict and end with a peanut butter bombe for dessert. If you oversleep, a dinner menu that includes soup, smoked salmon and the aforementioned peanut butter bombe will be available in the evening.
Gurney’s Montauk, 290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631-668-2345
There’s something so appropriate about beginning the New Year at The End, especially Gurney’s. The luxury resort is offering a buffet breakfast in the Scarpetta Dining Room. The cost is $40 per adult and $25 per child ages 12 and under. Afterward, consider dropping tiny tons off at the Kids Club for playtime in Great Hall C while you head to the seawater spa for some post-NYE TLC.
Good Ground Tavern at Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, 239 East Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-763-6300
Save the long trek down Montauk Highway for a warmer day and settle in for brunch at this upscale casual tavern. The brunch menu features all of the classics, from buttermilk pancakes to homemade granola and Greek yogurt. $65 per person.
The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn, 143 Main Street, East Hampton, 631-324-1770
If you pressed snooze all the way until 5:30 p.m. (or know yourself well enough to know you will), consider opting for an evening at The 1770 House Restaurant & Inn. Dinner seatings begin at 5:30 p.m., so you can call it a late brunch, linner, dinner or simply what it is — delicious. The a la carte menu features locally-sourced classics like oysters from Greenport’s Widow’s Hole and sea scallops from Montauk.
Pierre’s, 2468 Main Street, Bridgehampton, 631-537-5110
Couldn’t travel for the holiday? Come to Pierre’s, Bridgehampton’s quintessential classic French bistro, for memorable lobster Benedict on brioche, goat cheese and fresh spinach omelets, warming and decadent French onion soup and fresh-pressed juices and smoothies. And if you decide on a bubbly brunch, be sure to raise your glass to owner Pierre Weber, who’s been open daily for 20 years. Felicitations!
The Chequit, 23 Grand Avenue, Shelter Island Heights, 631-749-0018
The Chequit is keeping the party going for New Year’s Day, with a full day of brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m (just in case you stayed out a little too late the night before). For $55 a person, there’s a bodacious brunch buffet that includes a carving station, raw bar, all the eggy things you could desire and house-made breads and pastries by pastry chef Mazie Galle. Up your ticket (which you can purchase on Opentable) to $80, and you’ll have never-ending mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and margaritas.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
It’s hard to beat the Ram’s Head for swellegant dining with a beautiful water view—and they don’t slouch on brunch. Duck confit hash, fluffy challah French toast, creamy lobster bisque, mushroom gruyere omelets or a crispy cone of fries bathed in cheddar cheese curds, scallions and duck confit gravy are complemented by your choice of their special New Year’s Day mimosa flight (sugared cranberry, winter pear and the OG) a Ram’s Head Bloody Mary with bacon, or get on board with Dry January with their cardamom lemonade or cranberry spritz. Make your reservation between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
duck confit hash