What's Happening In The Hamptons Restaurant Scene

Here's a terrific summation of Hamptons restaurants; new, old, nofo, sofo. md

Digging In Out East
A new crop of restaurants welcomes visitors for summer dining


BY PETER M. GIANOTTI
STAFF WRITER; BY JOAN REMINICK. STAFF WRITER

May 31, 2006
SOUTH FORK HAMPTONS PLAIN & FANCY

The annual turnover in Hamptons' real estate is under way. And new restaurants are ready for the Spielbergs, Baldwins and you.

Westhampton Beach

The most awaited restaurant in Westhampton Beach is the relocated PassionFish. Restaurateur-chef Tom Schaudel's South Fork foray brings his eclectic new American food to the waterside Dune Deck Hotel, where Starr Boggs once reigned. The perpetual-motion Schaudel just turned the original PassionFish in Woodbury into The Mansion, a retro-formal venue for more traditional cooking. Veteran diners will remember that Schaudel's first East End showcase was the long-departed Downtown Grille in Montauk. 379 Dune Rd., Westhampton Beach; 631-288-5250.

Southampton

In Southampton, Lori Restaurant & Wine Bar stylishly succeeds James on Main. Chef Michael Meehan, formerly of the Mill River Inn in Oyster Bay and Tupelo Honey in Sea Cliff, among others, oversees the hot new American kitchen. This well-received eatery is owned by Lori Escallier, a co-owner of James on Main. She oversees the dining room. 75 Main St., Southampton; 631-283-7575.

Water Mill

Trata East was slated to open last season in Water Mill, but bloomed this spring. The bright, handsome restaurant specializes in grilled whole fish and the lighter dishes of Greek cuisine. Trata East is the Hamptonian offspring of Trata Estiatorio in Manhattan. 1020 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-726-6200.

East Hampton

The Laundry, an East Hampton fixture for decades, moves chef and name to Route 27, at the address occupied for years by The Farmhouse and for what seemed only days by The Purple Cow. Chef-partner Andrew Engle continues in the kitchen, which emphasizes the American dishes from the original Laundry. 341 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton; 631-324-3199.

Leif Hope owns the building where Laundry thrived. Hope, who's known as the organizer of the annual charity artists-and-writers softball game, has opened Leif Hope's Restaurant. He has kept unchanged the modernist establishment designed by architect Norman Jaffe. And his summery, very Hamptons menu includes the house hamburger as well as steaks and seafood. It already has a core of regulars. 31 Race Lane, East Hampton, 631-324-3199.

Sag Harbor

The increasingly Hamptonized downtown of Sag Harbor greets another eatery from restaurateur Ed Kleefield, who brought JL East to East Hampton and Madame Tong's to Southampton. Mumbo Gumbo is the name of his new Cajun-themed barbecue establishment. It's located where Jeff & Eddy's used to be. Figure on peanuts-in-the-shell, big TVs, lotsa cocktails and 10 types of gumbo, along with po'boy oyster sandwiches, Southern fried chicken and "five-napkin" barbecue. 62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-725-0055.

And the Golden Pear Cafe, a breakfast-and-lunch staple in Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton, opens its fourth branch in Sag Harbor. The new muffin magnet is on the former site of the Harbor Deli. 111 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-725-2270.

Amagansett

Amagansett's Napeague Stretch restaurant gives way to 27 Lobster and Surf Shack, the unwieldy name of which sums up its ambitions. Expect lobsters, Cajun dishes, Maryland blue crabs and plenty of tropical and frozen drinks with names such as "flaming volcano" and "dirty banana." 2095 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631-267-6980.

And Amagansett also greets The Meeting House, where you'll find fare from seafood to meat loaf. Local artists' work decorates the newcomer. 4 Amagansett Square Dr.; 631-267-2764.

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Digging In Out East -- Newsday.com