Hamptons travel advice

[Keith OHalloran]

Chris,
Last summer, The Jitney started a water taxi, (ferry) that you walk on in Sag Harbor and went straight to Greenport. It worked out well, and I think they will have it this year as well. If so, there is no need to cross Shelter Island to go to Greenport, and since you leave the car behind, you can enjoy Claudio's.

[Chris Shaida]

Jeff and Keith, passenger ferry -- Most Execellent! Didn't know.

Jeff, Planet Bliss was (is?) the mid-Island restaurant next to the kayak rental place, across the street from the little museum.  Nice porch for weekend brunch.  Organic dishes, usually some goo vegetarian dishes.  Usually closed for the winter but I heard a rumor they closed altogether?

[Keith OHalloran]

Ah vegetarian, no wonder Jeff and I had not heard of it! 

[jeffwarne]

Jeff and Keith, passenger ferry -- Most Execellent! Didn't know.

Jeff, Planet Bliss was (is?) the mid-Island restaurant next to the kayak rental place, across the street from the little museum.  Nice porch for weekend brunch.  Organic dishes, usually some goo vegetarian dishes.  Usually closed for the winter but I heard a rumor they closed altogether?

Closed 2011-driven by a thousand times-never went-used to eat in that little burger shop/diner on that same block, but it's closed too
Amazing # of restuarants on SI

just saw Keith's post-meshes perfectly with mine

[Carl Nichols]

I assume it's been a cold March in the Hamptons (since that's been true down here in DC).  Have the courses already opened their greens, or are they waiting?

[Chuck Glowacki]

Carl:  Can't speak for the south fork since I have not been over there since mid-December.  Over here
on the north fork all the daily fees courses are open along with North Fork Country Club, Laurel Links
is closed.  Shinny has been staying open during the winter, weather permitting.  National opens April 19,
Friar's Head opens April 12.

[Howard Riefs]

Finally, this trip is around the corner.  A few questions for those in the know...

1.  Recommended restaurants for lunch in Southhampton, Easthampton and Montauk?
2.  Any "don't miss" sights in Montauk?
3.  Top 3 or 4 wineries on the North Fork? 

... most importantly:

4.  Anyone going to be around next weekend and want to meet up for a drink? Please let me know.

[Gene Greco]

1.a SH - Tuto Giorno
          75 Main
          La Parmagiana - for grandmas pizza with fresh mozzarella and eggplant
          Le Chef
          Publick House for their beer/burger
  
   b EH - Cittanuova
            
   c MK - Gosman's Dock for lobster/fish

2. Can't miss the Lighthouse in Montauk. Commissioned by George Washington in 1797.
3. Most wineries on both Forks produce nice Chardonnays and all are terrific places to spend time. Our faves are Macari, Corey Creek, Castello di Borghese (Hargrave, the first one with vines which go back 40 years), Wolffer Estate and Shinn.
4. Would like to but will be in California.
            
          

[Chuck Glowacki]

North Fork wineries:  Bedell, Lenz, Pinder,  all within 1/4 mile of each other on Rt 25
for local flavor in Sag Harbor, Conner Bar, if you want to get down and dirty Murphs
Gosman's dock in Montauk, also might try Lobster Roll also known as Lunch
celeb watching would be Nick and Toni's in East Hampton

[Gene Greco]

Chuck:

  I know Nick and Tonis does a terrific Sunday brunch and SUPERB dinners but wasn't aware they did lunch as well. Outdoor seating they have would sure be an ideal spot to do so.

        Gene

[Mike Sweeney]

2.  Any "don't miss" sights in Montauk?

[Chuck Glowacki]

Gene:  I am sure you are right about lunch at N&T's

[Kevin_D]

A few East Hampton recommendations, based on my summer there last year:

I love Babette's for lunch or dinner, casual and friendly place, good selection of healthy food, but not so healthy you don't want to eat it...fish, grass fed burgers, vegetarian dishes etc.  It's overpriced, but so is everything there.

Also there but more appropriate for dinner (may not even serve lunch), the restaurant Living Room at the inn c/o The Maidstone is just fantastic.  It's Swedish (or Swedish influenced) on account of the hotel's owner.  Ate there several times and stayed at the hotel a couple years ago for Labor Day - I just love the place.  Eclectic and trendy, yet comfortable and homey-feeling at the same time.

For beaches my favorite is Wiborg, I found it to be the emptiest of anywhere in EH, and if you need a snack or a bathroom you can walk over to Main Beach pretty easily (though be prepared to drool as you drive past the Maidstone Club).

[cary lichtenstein]

1708 House is by far the best of the best, but pricey...I loved it

[Howard Riefs]

Thanks for the additional recommendations. Quite helpful!

For future reference... for those planning a first time trip to the Hamptons, this Travel & Leisure article provides a great overview on the hotels, sights, restaurants, etc. in each village:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/insiders-guide-to-the-hamptons

[Chuck Glowacki]

How was your trip, Howard?