You may recognize chef Melissa O’Donnell from her irresistible Med-skewed menu at 2023’s Sag Harbor Legion Hall incarnation, the Sag Harbor Kitchen, or from Duryea’s in Montauk last summer. We’re stoked to hear of her new executive chef and food and beverage director role as GM and brand ambassador for Fresh Direct’s new Southampton outpost, bringing more of her dreamy Lebanese-laced influence to the East End.
O’Donnell’s brand of Mediterranean-tinged, seasonally skewed and often fish-forward dishes won her multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand awards at her prior Manhattan restaurants, which include Thelma on Clinton, Stella, Salt, Salt Bar and Lil’ Gem, all influenced by the Manhattan born-and-raised chef’s own Lebanese, Italian and Irish cultural background.
Here are a few of O’Donnell’s favorite local things.
Favorite fishmonger
Gosman’s (484 W. Lake Drive, Montauk, 631-668-5645). I know they’re huge, but when I was five years old, my mom and I went and bought the first lobsters I ever cooked from Gosman’s. We were out here for about a month, and my sister and I were so excited. So they have a special place in my heart, because every time I see it, it just, like, reminds me of my childhood. And also, because they’ve been really good to me. I’ve worked with them at so many different places out here, and their service has always been fantastic.
The other is Multi Aquaculture (429 Cranberry Hole Road, Amagansett, 631-267-3341). They’re the fish farm along the Napeague Stretch and they’re really cool! They cultivate oysters and clams and steamers. It’s a couple and they went to MIT and they do all this environmental stuff.
Favorite farm stand
Balsam Farms (293 Town Lane Amagansett, 631-267-5635; 662 Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-238-5119). They are just nice people.
Favorite beach
Ditch Plains (18 Ditch Plains Road, Montauk). I like how rocky it is, and it has a moodiness to it that I really like. I like it in the winter, too. For some reason, more than other spots, when I’m there I feel like I’ve been transported somewhere else.
Favorite liquor store
I like White’s (771 Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-2426). Tom [Phillips], the owner, is fantastic. He’s really sweet and he knows everyone and everything. When I first came out here, he was so welcoming and supportive. He’s got a good selection of wine and I love the small-town feel. He’s always there. I walked in to tell him I was going to work at Solé East and he already knew.
Favorite Coffee
I’m one of those weirdos who likes to make my own coffee. But you know who has good coffee, and I’m almost embarrassed to say this? The 7-Eleven (653 Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-2842) — their Colombian blend. It’s really freakin’ good!
Favorite restaurant
Lulu Kitchen & Bar (126 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-0900). Their hospitality is incredibly gracious and I love the food. They do a lot of those eastern Mediterranean flavors as well. Philippe [Corbet, executive chef] and I have a similar sensibility, and it makes sense to me.
Favorite town
I love the juxtaposition between Montauk and Sag Harbor. It feels like some ideal film-set town. When I’m there, it’s like I’m on the “Gilmore Girls” or something. It’s, like, way too picturesque to actually be a real town! I really like that it has a central feeling and I love to shop there — and I really love the five
and dime (Sag Harbor Variety, 114 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-9706). All the sewing stuff is amazing.
