Move over, chestnuts. When Jack Frost nips at our noses, toes and upper extremities (as he’s been relentlessly doing all darn week), it’s tempting to make like a bear and hunker down. Yet, the cabin fever can reach feverish levels as this brutal winter drags on.
Across the East End, restaurants with fireplaces, fire pits and hearty menus offer ways to warm your body from the outside in. They add intimacy, ambiance and, in some cases, a chance to dare to drink or dine outside comfortably and confidently. From a snug tavern within an inn in East Hampton, to an outdoor fireside haven in Riverhead, these Hamptons restaurants are sure to add snap, crackle and pop to the wicked days of winter.
1770 House Restaurant & Inn, 143 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-1770
Fine dining and a fireplace are a recipe for an upscale-meets-cozy evening at 1770 House Restaurant & Inn. The inn, once a colonial home built in 1683, still retains much of its antique architecture. The elegant dining room has tables beside a white wooden fireplace in the. main dining room, and colonial-minded cozy spot in the downstairs Tavern. Menu items like roasted chicken with cranberry beans and red-wine braised short ribs, plus an award-winning (and lengthy) wine list, feel like a warm hug for the belly.
Bistro 72, 1830 W Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-3325
In the summer months, it’s hopping poolside at this farm-to-table spot at the gateway to the Hamptons. Come winter, indoor and outdoor fireplaces provide the necessary heat and an inviting atmosphere for cozy cocktails, warm meals, and warmer conversations. Winter specials include a soul-soothing chili (a mix of lentils and beans topped with gooey cheddar), and a pork loin stuffed with prosciutto, spinach and mozzarella, served with a side of the lauded mashed potatoes.
Topping Rose House, 1 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-0870
An outdoor fire pit beside a pair of wicker chairs is a zero-proof but buzzing digestif to a winter dinner at this praised restaurant set inside an 1842 Greek Revival-style mansion. Set just before the hedges on the front lawn, it doesn’t gatekeep warmth; it sends out cozy vibes even to passersby headed home for a DIY dinner. But dinner at Topping Rose House? That’s special. Chef Jean-Georges’ seasonal menu and casually elegant digs set the stage for an elevated evening. Think caviar, Parmesan-crusted chicken and hearty pastas served with caramelized Brussels sprouts. Oh, and not in the mood to warm up by an outdoor fire pit? Wait for your lift after dinner beside the hotel’s fireplace (or stay the night).
East Hampton Grill, 99 N. Main St., East Hampton, 631-329-6666
Pub grub and American classics are the order of the day at East Hampton Grill, a snug, brick-exterior eatery on Main Street. Inside, the large windows let the sunlight pour through during the day. When the sun sets, dim lighting and candlelit tables exude unfussy sophistication. And a crackling wood-burning fireplace provides the right amount of illumination, adding to the somewhat brooding mood never ruining it. A lively open kitchen and bar add to the cozy vibe, sure to lift anyone out of a winter funk. Ditto for the few-frills surf-and-turf menu, hallmarked by steaks, ribs and salmon dishes.
The Maidstone, 207 Main St, East Hampton, 631-324-5006
The fireplace represents a crown jewel inside the restaurant lounge of the 150-year-old inn in East Hampton’s historic district. It’s a perfect spot for a pre- or post-meal sipper. The dinner menu veers upscale Italian, with offerings like octopus, butternut squash soups, burgers, ribs and branzino that offer comfort with a side of adventure. An outdoor fire pit also continues to roar on cooler nights, and candlelight throughout the inside invites hygge.
Townline BBQ, 3593 Montauk Highway, Sagaponack 631-527-2271
They say everything is bigger in Texas, so it makes sense that the classic brick fireplace burns brighter at this Lone Star State-style BBQ. The fire isn’t all that’s smoking at this Sagaponack joint. The dry-rubbed meats are, too, in the literal sense, and you could argue the whiskey cocktails are, too. Thursday trivia nights give you a chance to playfully smoke your neighbors.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
Love a good fireplace? The Ram’s Head Inn has three from which to choose, making it the ultimate cozy clime on the East End. There’s the one that greets you by the hostess stand, the crackling one in the lovely bar parlor and the big poppa one in the main dining room. Add to that the bevy of fun weekend activities here — murder mystery dinners, oyster shucking nights, live music, dinner cabaret, bingo nights, fireside author chats and more. And, of course, their lovely brunch and dinner menus, ready to make your weekend cozy and delicious.
