Hamptons dining: To see and be seen
Photo credit: AP Photo | Jon Bon Jovi has dined and played impromptu at the Blue Parrot in East Hampton this summer.
Blue Parrot
Hangin' in the Hamptons: July 2009
The '09 star search hits supernova status at Hamptons eateries, where celebs from Amber Tamblyn to Zac Efron have been spotted - and it's not even August.
Each summer the cast of characters changes, as does the pecking order among restaurants. This year, there are a couple of new boldface-rich places to go with the official celebrity registries. Here's a handful of see-and-be-seen.
GEORGICA RESTAURANT
& LOUNGE
108 Wainscott Stone Rd.
at Montauk Highway (Route 27), Wainscott
631-537-5603
Chefs Robert Hesse and Seth Levine, vets of Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" boot camp, turn up the heat themselves at this splashy pond-side spot, a destination for sharp New American cooking, weekend DJs, paparazzi and their prey.
THIS SUMMER'S CAST Swimsuit model-en-route-to-actress Molly Sims, moviemaker Brett ("X Men") Ratner, restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow, peripatetic billionaire Ron Perelman.
THE DISH(ES) White-truffle tagliatelle, tricolor gazpacho, strip steak dressed up, the "Kitchen Sink" sundae.
GULF COAST KITCHEN
32 Star Island Rd.
Montauk
631-668-3100
montaukyachtclub.com
The main restaurant at the reborn Montauk Yacht Club gives you a water view, a summery room, plus three courses of high-style New American cuisine with the obligatory homey touch. Also, look for the gossiped popping up at Hurricane Alley, a more casual stop for guacamole and crab cakes Benedict.
THIS SUMMER'S CAST
Claire ("My So-Called Life") Danes, Zac ("High School Musical") Efron, Amber ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants") Tamblyn, Gerard ("300") Butler.
THE DISH(ES) Mama Lola's fried chicken; striped bass glazed with sour orange and achiote (you know, annatto); Cuban bread pudding with rum inside and coconut on top.
NICK AND TONI'S
136 N. Main St.
East Hampton
631-324-3550
nickandtonis.com
Here's the official celebrity canteen of the Hamptons, a little galaxy of entertainment and publishing stars accompanied by media mainstays, all enjoying snappy Mediterranean/Italian cooking and the collective glow.
THIS SUMMER'S CAST Filmmaker supreme Steven Spielberg, "30" Rocker Alec Baldwin, actor Harvey Keitel, up-from-Velvet Underground Lou Reed, authors Nora Ephron and Nick Pileggi.
THE DISH(ES) Wood-oven roasted whole fish, pasta alla vecchia bettola with zesty tomato sauce, and lunchtime pizzas.
THE BLUE PARROT
33A Main St.
East Hampton
631-329-2583
The squawking started early at the reincarnated Blue Parrot. Hush-hush celebrity backers have been judiciously name-dropped. The joint was closed for a few years, after a run of celebrity visits and ample ink devoted to their fame.
THIS SUMMER'S CASTRenée Zellweger (dancing tabletop and eating tableside), Martha Stewart, that on-the-move Ron Perelman, whispers of Jon Bon Jovi.
THE DISH(ES) Taquitos, ceviche, washed down with the "Dirty Margarita," among other variations on the tequila theme.
TURTLE CROSSING
221 Pantigo Rd.
East Hampton
631-324-7166
turtlecrossing.com
The heat isn't just in the barbecue sauce at this ultracasual Hamptons perennial. The 'cue has been coming since 1994. And so have the boldface names.
THIS SUMMER'S CAST Actor Edward Burns, author-model-"Real Housewife" Kelly Bensimon, actual-on-the-premises Jon Bon Jovi.
THE DISH(ES) Smoked pulled pork and chicken; beef brisket; quesadillas; fish tacos.
