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It’s sandwich heaven at chef Peter Ambrose’s new SoFo Sandwich Co. (Photo credit: Peter Ambrose)

Nothing gets us quite as chatty as the seasonal comings and goings on the East End hospitality scene. This summer, it’s East Hampton that’s been thrust into the spotlight, thanks to a windfall of eateries breathing life back into familiar settings from Wainscott to Amagansett. While it’s no secret the jammed corridors leading to Montauk offer more quality food and drink choices than ever before, this summer’s slate of culinary newbies touts some welcome additions, like a barbecue master in a new (old) space, and a buzzy burger joint slinging fried chicken, Japanese highballs and boozed-up shakes. 

The Meeting House, 4 Amagansett Square Drive, Amagansett

A contemporary American bistro set in the bright, friendly confines of the Amagansett space formerly occupied by Christian’s by Wölffer, The Meeting House is the sister property of The Reform Club Amagansett, just down the road on Main Street (where suites go for nearly $2,000 a night.) The aptly-named, year-round dining spot located in Amagansett Square delivers an eclectic menu with entrees ranging from pan-roasted halibut with truffled corn salad and polenta croutons, to chicken Milanese and spaghetti Bolognese, to Thai red curry. Throw in steaks, a raw bar and small plates like mac n’ cheese, green papaya salad and Vietnamese chicken wings and the result is a comfortable dining experience for the whole family. Yet, an above average wine list gives this handsome addition to Amagansett’s culinary revival a grown-up feel. Its charming mahogany-clad bar stays open late to accommodate thirsty crowds spilling out from nearby music venue Stephen Talkhouse.

Jesse Matsuoka’s latest addition to his fun foodie empire is Smokey Buns in East Hampton. (Photo courtesy of Smokey Buns)

Smokey Buns, 68 Park Place, East Hampton

You might have heard that East Hampton Village wants to introduce more casual hospitality options to its retail-heavy downtown. So far, all indications are that the plan is working, as new restos, cafés and markets are bringing a refreshing jolt of energy to an area in desperate need of places to make merry. The latest to join the growing bustle behind the alleys on Newtown Lane is Smokey Buns by serial restaurateur Jessie Matsuoka, who also co-owns nearby Kumiso, as well as popular eateries Sen and K-Pasa in Sag Harbor. Located in the Park Place alley across from Starbucks, Smokey Buns sees its grand opening this week, offering fun, family-friendly, fast-casual vibe that, along with smashburgers and fried chicken sandwiches, will be serving up ice cream and candy for the kiddies, as well as boozy shakes for the olds. Which leads us to the bar; Matsuoka envisions a go-to destination for imbibing brown spirits – the sometimes “smokey” part of Smokey Buns – like scotch, bourbon and whiskeys from across the world. There will also be plenty of local beer on tap. “It’s so nice to work with a very business-positive [mayoral administration] in East Hampton Village,” Matsuoka told us ahead of the soft opening. “Smokey Buns is going to be a space that can speak to anybody. There will be something for everyone, and it’ll be a year-round operation.”

SoFo Sandwich Co., 84 Wainscott NW Road, Wainscott

Local barbecue hero Peter Ambrose is a veteran East End caterer and grill-master who’s taken his serious gourmet sandwich talent to new digs in Wainscott. At home among the smokers, Ambrose’s impressive skills are on full display at the new SoFo Sandwich Co., which has settled seamlessly into the quarters previously home to the popular bakery Breadzilla. Ambrose’s simple menu offers all the sandwich standards you’d expect from a BBQ savant, like roasted turkey, pastrami and Canadian bacon (all smoked in house), but also strays deliciously away from the traditional: a mushroom banh mi, a pressed Cubano, and a New Orleans-style muffaletta, along with a plethora of ever-changing daily offerings. And get this: all the sandwiches at SoFo Sandwich Co. come with fries – hand-cut, twice fried, with sauces like harissa aioli or Dijon aioli. They go perfect with the dynamite, too-big-for-the-bun fried chicken thigh sandwich Ambrose makes three ways: Americano, spicy and Korean (a true winner with gochujang barbecue glaze, Korean chili spiced aioli, pickled carrots and cucumbers.) “We’re just doing what we do best,” says Ambrose, who also stocks his Endless Summer line of glazes, rubs and sauces. “And we’re having fun doing it.”

Donuts and coffee are the order of the day at Grindstone’s new East Hampton outpost. (Photo courtesy of Grindstone Coffee)

Grindstone Coffee and Donuts, 27 Race Lane, East Hampton

Adding to the good vibes in downtown East Hampton Village is Grindstone Coffee and Donuts. The plan had been in the works for over a year, but the popular Sag Harbor coffee spot (lines are regularly out the door on summer weekends) has finally debuted its snazzy new location on Race Lane. With several nearby schools and consistent traffic from the train station and walkable retail, this second location has the feel of a true neighborhood café. What’s better, there’s a garden with patio seating to take in the relaxed atmosphere, plus assorted goodies (fresh fruit and flowers and funky merch galore) to complement Grindstone’s signature coffee and cake-style donuts (you have to try the churro, or summer favorite Nutella s’mores.) 

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