No doubt about it, this summer sees some of New York City’s most well-known businesses coming to the Hamptons this summer. Oodles of locales are hosting residencies for NYC-based pop-ups, from restaurants to retail spaces, while a few East End spots are opening up new and/or secondary locations.
Word on the street is Doubles, the casual Caribbean eatery located in the Amagansett Square, is coming to Division Street in Sag Harbor in the space that used to be What the Falafel.
Shout-out to Farm and Forage for opening up an outpost a few weeks ago in East Hampton Village (next to Smokey Buns, but behind BookHampton). In addition to all the gourmet goodies that are carefully hand-picked by owner and forager Jonny Bernard, the East Hampton location will also offer curated selections of artisanal cheese and charcuterie, plus all the fixin’s to build a bomb cheeseboard.
It will definitely come in handy if we can’t get a reservation.
Here’s a taste of what to expect when the floodgates open this Memorial Day weekend.
EAST HAMPTON TOWN
Gigi’s Montauk, 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-2345
Taking reservations starting June 1, Gigi’s is the new restaurant and bar entity located inside Gurney’s at The End, taking over the space that formerly housed Scarpetta. Slated to open for service June 16, and helmed by chef Jason Lee, the menu will be new American style steakhouse with a strong focus on seafood.
Sea Salt at Solé East, 90 Second House Road, Montauk, 631-668-2105
Solé East Resort launched their new dining concept, Sea Salt, earlier this month, offering a new on-site restaurant replacing The Backyard Restaurant. Spearheaded by chef Melissa O’Donnell, the menu showcases strong coastal flavors influenced by the cuisine of the Mediterranean.
Offshore Montauk, 71 South Emerson Ave., Montauk, 305-497-7553
This 43-key wellness-focused, oceanfront hotel by Enduring Hospitality Group. Features include a range of beach view suites tailored to every traveler, from rooms with queen beds to spa suite condos and private two-bedroom cottages. Opening in mid-June.
Crazy Pizza, 47 Montauk Highway, East Hampton
Following its popular SoHo debut last year, this June, Majestas and Altamarea Group bring Crazy Pizza to the Hamptons with the opening of Crazy Pizza in East Hampton in the space that formerly housed Kizzy T’s. The vibe is dinner and a show here, as the joint is famous for pizzaiolos hand-spinning pizzas pies sky high. Menu items are slated to include super-thin crust pizzas and Italian classics. There’s also expected to be “Spinning Chefs,” aka live DJs at night, after dinner service.
Wayan & Ma•dé at EHP Resort & Marina, 313 Three Mile Harbor Hog Creek Road, East Hampton, 631-439-0784
This summer EHP Resort & Marina hosts New York City French-Indonesian restaurants Wayan and Ma•dé, marking the third summer residency in the Hamptons for the two restos, and replacing Sunset Harbor as the resort’s second waterfront dining option. This limited-time culinary offerings are inspired by the bold, vibrant cuisine of Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Camp Rubirosa, 31 Race Lane, East Hampton
One of New York’s most beloved Italian-American restaurants takes a turn as a seasonal pop-up running this summer in East Hampton starting Memorial Day. Camp Rubirosa takes over the former Buttero space, offering oversized pies and red sauce-heavy menu items. Complete with an outdoor piazza and vintage accents throughout, the summer camp-inspired setting is a collaboration between owner Maria Pappalardo and Brian Bedol. Reservations can be made on Resy.
Ocean Club at Montauk Yacht Club, 32 Star Island Road, Montauk, 631-668-3100
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the resto opened in April, helmed by South African chef Jarad McCarroll. With sweeping, ocean front views, the menu also features items grilled over an open fire (traditionally called braai in South Africa, or what American’s would call barbecue).
Tusk Bar at Moby’s, 341 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, 631-604-2227
New York City’s The Tusk Bar will be out on the East End for a special residency takeover at East Hampton’s Moby’s. Taking over the front bar space, and kicking off Memorial Day weekend, guests will find a taste of one of Manhattan’s most adored bars without having to retreat back to the city. The Tusk Bar’s signature convivial energy will carry through with a front-facing oyster station and a rotation of vibrant, summer-driven cocktails led by bar director Tristan Brunel. This pop-up is part of a broader movement to bring the best of New York City’s cocktail scene to Moby’s, with additional partners set to join later this summer.
Mary Lou’s, 474 West Lake Drive, Montauk
Mary Lou Curtis, the grandmother of co-founder Alex Melillo, is the muse behind the concept for this outpost of the popular Palm Beach restaurant, set to open in early June. The vibe is an ode to the styles found back in the 70’s and 80’s, with dinner at Mary Lou’s Montauk eventually flipping into dancing, as the venue will feature oodles of live music. According to a press release, the menu is “designed to delight familiar faces and newcomers alike.” Think $50 wagyu burgers done in the style of a Big Mac and a “blending of classic bait-and-tackle charm with Studio 54 flair.”
Swifty’s at The Hedges Inn, 74 James Lane, East Hampton, 631-680-5939
Opening today and making its Hamptons debut at the storied Hedges Inn is Swifty’s, a chapter of the New York City restaurant first revived at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach. Set to be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu, guided by executive chef Tom Whitaker, will draw inspiration from classic American and continental traditions while using locally sourced ingredients when possible. There will also be trivia nights on Sundays from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
SAG HARBOR
Blue and Cream, 133 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-329-1392
Hamptons-founded clothing company Blue and Cream has moved into the old Matriak space in downtown Sag Harbor. Founded in 2004, the boutique offers cool, effortless streetwear as well as luxury fashion.
BonBon, 11 Washington St., Sag Harbor
Fan favorite Swedish candy shop is opening in the space that housed Blooming Shells for 45 years. Slated to open around Memorial Day weekend, this will be BonBon’s first location on the East End, with five other retail locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn.
LT Burger, 62 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-899-4646
Not exactly a brand-new spot, LT Burger returns to its former home on Main Street in Sag Harbor, reopening in the space that was El Tacobar. Beloved for serving classic burger joint fare in an unstuffy and kid-friendly environment, it’s the sort of casual place the former whaling village needed as an addition to its ubiquitously high-end restaurant lineup.
SOUTHAMPTON TOWN
Fēniks, 75 Jobs Lane, Southampton
Veteran chef/restaurateur Douglas Gulija is bringing it back to his roots with the opening of Fēniks, set to be located inside the space that housed Le Chef for decades on Jobs Lane in Southampton, offering a fusion of Greek, Asian and Croatian cuisine. Gulijia, who was at the helm of Plaza Café for 28 years, is partnering with cousin Emil “Skip” Norsic to bring the East End three distinct dining experiences: an exclusive Chef’s Counter, an a la carte menu, and a lively lounge with artisanal craft cocktails and small plate food options. Set to open in mid-June.
Namiro, 76C Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-204-5371
A new kind of sushi spot comes to Hamptons this season. Namiro, opening May 21, is a refined yet welcoming destination for high-quality sushi, inspired Asian cuisine, and vibrant cocktails — all served in a beautifully designed space that’s as perfect for a family dinner as it is for a night out. Helmed by Alexis Spangler, Gary Spangler, and Jon Lewis, the trio has partnered with Kenneth Lockard of KRL Construction, whose work across the East End. To finesse the culinary concept, the team brought in Chef Raul Cruz from Bamboo.
El Verano, 10 Windmill Lane, Southampton, 631-377-3050
El Verano (Spanish for summer) is an upscale Mexican restaurant owned by chef Julian Medina located on the corner of Windmill Land and Jobs Lane in downtown Southampton. Opening Memorial Day weekend is the El Verano Taco Lot, a casual, outdoor Mexico City-style taqueria next door to the restaurant. Queso fundido, birria tacos, and chef Medina’s signature Lobster Roll, plus drinks like a Mexican Arnold Palmer with hibiscus tea and limeade, or frozen margarita will be available to-go for casual outdoor dining or to grab before hitting the beach. Also set to open Memorial Day weekend is El Farm Market (at 101 Jobs Lane), offering farm-fresh prepared foods like Chef Medina’s guacamole, roasted tomato salsa, dips, and sandwiches.
Donohue’s East, 144, Main St., Westhampton Beach
Donohue’s, the New York city based steakhouse, moved into the Post Stop Café, which shuttered late last year, and is expected to open early next month. Owned by Maureen Donohue-Peters, all the classic, old-school steakhouse vibes are expected.
Sushi by Bou, 32 Mill Road A, Westhampton Beach, 888-670-5996
Notable omakase brand Sushi by Bou is re-opening in the Hamptons for the summer inside Sydney’s “Taylor” Made Cuisine in Westhampton Beach. The flagship brand of the New York City-based hospitality group Simplevenue will launch its dining experience on May 23. The omakase will be a 12-course, edomae-style dining experience. Reservations are open Thursday through Sunday between 5 p.m. and midnight.
Round Swamp Farm, 97 School St., Bridgehampton, 631-296-8078
Dreamy Coffee Co., the beloved caffeinated beverage from Sag Harbor’s Sylvester & Co. Modern General (which shuttered its brick-and-mortar location earlier this year) will now be served outside of Round Swamp Farm’s Bridgehampton location. Open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
