Added: May 30, 2007, 9:11 am

Food News - May 31, 2007

Southampton Ales & Lagers is part of a tasty summer. Casual Mexican fare is fun in Amagansett. The Pridwin is back at it on July 7th! Pacific East and Rowdy Hall have new bits on the menu. There is a new café on Hill Street. Food & Co has new owners with new ideas.

Southampton Ales & Lagers featured at A Taste of Summer

Southampton Ales & Lagers of The Southampton Publick House (40 Bowden Sq., Southampton, NY [631] 283-2800) will be featured at a Taste of Summer on June 9th from 4 -6 p.m. at Stony Brook Southampton. The tasting reception will feature the best and freshest flavors from local vintners, farmers, and bakers. For more information go to www.stonybrook.edu/sb/winecenter/eastendevents.shtml

Southampton Ales & Lagers featured at "Chefs Gone Wild" - A Celebration of the American Farmer for the Benefit of Citymeals-On-Wheels

Southampton Ales & Lagers of The Southampton Publick House (40 Bowden Sq., Southampton, NY [631] 283-2800) will be featured at "Chefs Gone Wild," a celebration of the American farmer to benefit Citymeals-On-Wheels on June 11th at Rockefeller Center at 6:30 p.m. The event will feature 35 top chefs from across America. The evening will include innovative dishes of star chefs committed to integrating local ingredients to their menus. Sampling a variety of flavors with influences such as French, Vietnamese and Italian. There will also be wine, cocktails and beer, and dancing under the stars until midnight. This event will be helping Citymeals-On Wheels provide more then 200,000 meals for New York City neighbors. The cost of the event is $500 for general admission and $2,500-$10,000 for VIP preview tasting. For more information or tickets go to www.citymeals.com or email John Del Gaudio at John@citymeals.org.

Casual Mexican Fare, Margaritas Galore and Fun Atmosphere

27 Authentic Mexican Kitchen (2095 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett, NY, 631-267-6980) kicks off the summer with two specials throughout the month of June. Monday through Friday enjoy two for one entrées available during dinner from 5-11 p.m. In addition children 12 and under eat free on Saturday and Sunday during brunch from 12-6 p.m.

Legendary Wednesday Night Cookouts with a View and Special Cookout July 7th Timed to Shelter Island Fireworks Display

The Pridwin Beach Hotel & Cottages (Crescent Beach, 81 Shore Road Shelter Island, NY 11964 [631] 749-0476 or www.pridwin.com) kicks off a summer of all-you-can-eat outdoor cookouts with a view on Wednesday, July 4th followed by one every Wednesday to August 29. Family and friends of all generations may enjoy dining alfresco as they overlook one of the most beautiful waterviews from Shelter Island onto Southold Bay. The cost is $30 for adults and $18 per child under 12-years-old.

An additional Independence Day weekend cookout, timed to Shelter Island's fireworks display on Saturday, July 7, includes a special menu at $39 for adults and $23 for children under 12-years-old. Reservations are required.

The legendary summer cookouts with a view have been held for the past 30 years. Enjoyed by visitors of all ages, the cookouts are followed by decidedly contemporary live music and dancing pool-side. Other modern touches to this un-Hamptons, rustic treasure can be found in recently re-vamped cottages and a grand reception area designed by Fred Bernstein and Kristin Moday.

The American-style cuisine is based on local, fresh ingredients with vegetables from nearby farms and, whenever possible, fish caught by The Pridwin's owner, Richard Petry and his son, Gregg, from the waters around Shelter Island and off Montauk.

New Cocktail Menu at Pacific East

Pacific East (415 Main St., Amagansett, NY, 631-267-7770) has added some new drinks to their cocktail menu. They include: King of Manhattan with Crown Royal, Sweet Vermouth dash of bitters, Lemongrass Martini with Belvedere Vodka, freshly chopped lemongrass, white cloves and fresh lime juice, Havana Mojito with fresh mint, sugar, Meyer's White Rum and fresh lime, Hampton Peach with Stoli Persik, peach puree and a splash of Cointreau, and Pacific East with Absolut Kurant, Blue Curacao, Triple Sec and fresh lime. Pacific East is open seven days a week from 5:30p.m. to 10:00p.m. and Saturday till 11p.m.

New Lunch Menu Items at Rowdy Hall

Rowdy Hall (10 Main St. in the Parrish Mews, East Hampton, [631] 324-8555) has added some new menu items to their lunch menu. The new menu items include: Grilled Asparagus with poached egg, shaved grana padano and lemon extra virgin olive oil $9, Steamed Artichoke with garlic mayonnaise $8.50, Yellowfin Tuna with marinated baby artichokes, roasted red peppers and arugula $16, Steak Sandwich with grilled skirt steak, Maytag blue cheese, balsamic onion, watercress, baguette, and hand cut French fries $14, and Vegetable Sandwich with grilled seasonal vegetables, fresh herb goat cheese, arugula and foccia $11. Rowdy Hall is open for lunch seven days from noon to 3:30 p.m., for dinner Sunday - Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday - Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m.

Stacie Pierce and Eric Miller Team Up as Full-Service Caterers

FOOD & CO. (283 Pantigo Road, East Hampton, NY 11937 [631] 329-1000 or www.foodandco.com), one of the Hamptons' mainstay caterers since 1993, goes to the next level with new ownership by Stacie Pierce and Eric Miller. The duo's plan is to build on the existing core business of FOOD & CO. which has a strong reputation for year-round, first-class and large-scale receptions and events in the Hamptons. The aim is to continue the full-service catering operation but with several innovations. Over the coming year, Hamptonites will also find a new retail operation, including a bakery, at Pantigo Road when Pierce will launch a line of branded, hand-made desserts and home-made ice-cream. Service will extend to Manhattan.

Hill Street Café at the Southampton Inn

Hill Street Café, a brand new breakfast and lunch spot, debuts this summer at Southampton Inn (91 Hill Street, Southampton, NY 11968 [631] 283-6500). Owned by Dede Gotthelf, the kitchen will be headed up by one of Long Island's foremost chefs - Peter Dunlop. Hill Street Café is currently serving breakfast (and lunch during the summer season) seven days a week. Breakfast is served Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. On Sundays, service is extended until noon. During the season, lunch will be served daily from Noon until 2:00 p.m.