Sosh Andriano, co-owner of newly opened The Whales Tale Hamptons (78 Foster Ave., Hampton Bays, 631-253-8717) believes his destination-inspired venue is fit for screens.
The entertainment packed property that Andriano opened with his brother-in-law, Brian Autz, is a sister venue to The Whales Tale Northport.
“We’re taking our 15-year brand and picking it up and putting it into the global brand of the Hamptons,” says Andriano.
The pair opened doors to the renovated space that once housed 78 Foster, on June 3. The marina-side restaurant serves up a taco packed menu, with bowls, salads and other Southern California-style cuisine.
Beside the building is a beer garden with fire pits and cornhole boards. The front of the property has a raw bar window with its own kitchen fit for drinks and their quick-bite menu and a market with additional snacks and canned beverages that visitors can purchase on their way to the beach.
“We try to create a formula where people will want to come and spend a few hours on the property,” says Andriano.
At The Whales Tale’s start, Andriano’s father asked him to join in business on his two-year contract at the Northport property, and he was initially apprehensive.
Then, using one credit card with a $30,000 limit, Andriano created The Whales Tale brand, which saw 85 percent growth in its first year and 40 percent each year for the next two.
“Over 15 years, it just continued to snowball and grow, and it was just all because of the community’s reception,” says Andriano.
In his first month at the Hamptons location, things have kicked off well.
“I’m thrilled with the staff,” says Andriano. “I feel like we opened up, when I say flawlessly, it’s never flawless, but for the most part. I feel comfortable. The functionality is there. The fundamentals of the operation are operating the way they’re supposed to.”
To get geared up for business, the owners hosted a few events featuring some reality stars including an event with Kyle Cooke and Carl Radke from the reality television show “Summer House,” promoting Cooke’s alcoholic beverage brand Loverboy, which is stocked by The Whales Tale market. Ed “Big Ed” Brown from “90 Day Fiancé” also stopped by as a guest bartender.
The Whales Tale also has an in-house reality star – co-owner Autz who was on season 21 of “The Bachelorette” and season 10 of “Bachelor in Paradise” which will premiere on July 7.
With over a dozen years running The Whales Tale business, Andriano has seen his fair share of how entertaining the restaurant business can be. Conversations have arisen about filming the restaurant’s own reality television show and despite receiving offers to make it happen, nothing is in the works yet.
For now, the Hamptons staff will continue making the brand’s fun social media skits contributing to the fun feel of their new location and work on connecting with their new customers.
“Our expectation for the first season is to get acclimated, introduce ourselves to the people, make sure we do that well,” says Andriano. “But the future is really 2026, 2027 and beyond.”
