A sad goodbye to the Purple Cow. A fond hello to Tutto Italiano and Michaels'. Bass Season opens and Montuak is all about "steak" and evening serenades. And its Happy Hour for two on The Patio and Ladies Night at the Publick House!
The Purple Cow Restaurant & Steakhouse Shuts Its Doors
The Purple Cow Restaurant & Steakhouse (341 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton, NY [631] 324-8585) which recently opened its doors in June, in the space formerly known as The Farmhouse, has officially closed its doors on Saturday, July 9th. The owner of The Purple Cow, Fred Lieberman, has sold the restaurants lease back to the landlord and is planning on moving to Maine to be with his two young children. "This was a deal that we didn't think could get done, but it came together quickly albeit in the middle of the season," states Mr. Lieberman. The ambitious restaurant was quickly becoming known for its authentic steak house menu featuring family-style offerings designed for sharing. For more information please call (631) 324-8585.
Aqua East Celebrates the "Steak of Montauk" - Striped Bass Season Opens in Montauk with Aqua Serving It Up!
Aqua East (17 South Edison Dr., Montauk [631] 668-4147) is celebrating the opening of striped bass season by serving up the "Steak of Montauk" striped bass livornese, slow simmered in a sauce of vine ripened tomatoes, chili's, and capers served with broccoli rabe. In addition to the special new menu item Aqua has also announced five new wines by the glass. The new wines by the glass include Nicodemi Trebiano di Abruzzo Selezione 2003, Parusso Langhe Nebbiolo 2002, Artesa Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Peconic Bay Chardonnay "La Barrique" 2001, and Pindar Pythagoras Meritage. For reservations or further information, call Aqua East at (631) 668-4147.
The Patio Announces a New Friday Happy Hour That Features Live Music and Dinner for Two Raffle!
The Patio (54 Main St., Westhampton Beach, NY, [631] 288-4878) has announced a new Friday night line-up that will begin Friday, July 22nd and will continue every Friday throughout the summer. Featuring live entertainment and the chance to win dinner for two the new happy hour will run from 4pm 7pm. Receive a complimentary drink at the bar when you bring your business card to The Patiošs Friday happy hour and be automatically entered in a raffle to win dinner for two at The Patio. The winner of the eveningšs raffle will be announced at 7pm and the free dinner for two is only good that evening. Stephen Fredericks kicks off happy hour at The Patio beginning at 5pm followed by Ben Tinker & Starfish Band at 8pm. The Patio serves dinner seven nights a week from 5pm along with a nightly happy hour from 5 7pm. For reservations or further information please call The Patio at (631) 288-4878.
Sunset Serenade at The Lakeside with T.J. & Company - Lounge in Style with Frozen Libations, Great Eats and Live Music
The Lakeside (183 Edgemere Street, Montauk, NY [631] 668-3455) will host a sunset concert featuring classic rock favorites with T.J. & Company every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the outdoor patio. The Lakeside is accompanying the live music with classic clam bar fare including fish tacos, lobster rolls, and fried Ipswich clams and creative cocktails with names like Deadmanšs Cove, Midnight Swim, and El Capitan. For further information please call The Lakeside at (631) 668-3455.
Ladies Night at The Southampton Publick House
Southampton Publick House (40 Bowden Sq., Southampton, NY [631] 283-2800) is continuing their popular ladies night every Wednesday night in the taproom where all ladies receive $2 beer and wine from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Ladies night also features live music with D.J. Disco Pauly spinning till 2 a.m. The Southampton Publick House remains open seven days a week for lunch and dinner with al fresco dining now available on their outdoor patio. For further information please call the Southampton Publick House at (631) 283-2800.
BBQ Duck is Back at Turtle Crossing!
Turtle Crossing (221 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton, 324-7166) has brought back one of their crowd favorites, BBQ duck. The tasty bird is served with black currant sauce, wilted greens and quinoa for $25. Duck lovers may also purchase the bird solo - a half a duck for $13 or a whole duck for $25. For more information, call Turtle Crossing at (631) 324-7166.
Summer Happenings at Alison
Alison (95 School Street, Bridgehampton, NY [631] 537-7100) is now presenting
Jim Turner playing live on Wednesday nights from 6:30pm on. Tapas Tuesdays continues with complimentary tapas at the bar from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. On Wednesday nights two can enjoy Paella for $19.00 per person. For reservation or further information call Alison at (631) 537-7100.
Tutto Italiano Authentic Salumeria Now Open With Citarella's Joe Gurrera at the Helm!
Citarella's Joe Gurrera has announced the opening of Tutto Italiano (74 Montauk Hwy, East Hampton, NY [631] 324-9500) at the site of the former Jerry & David's Red Horse Market. Tutto Italiano, a 3,000 square foot authentic salumeria, which will showcase the regional foods of Italy, will open its doors on Thursday, July 21. In Italian, salumi is the generic term for salt-cured meats such as salami, salsiccia, prosciutto and bresaola; a salumeria is a shop where salumi are sold. Look for an array of cured meats, cheeses, olives, vinegars, pastas and authentically prepared foods at this new dynamic Italian delicatessen.
Gurrera has also installed a pizza oven that will churn out individual pies. Tutto Italiano will offer daily soups, lunch specials, heroes, sandwiches, salads and other foods to go such as rollatinišs, parmesans, lasagna and baked ziti all available for take-away.
Promoting the Regions of Italy "I want to educate my customers to the fact that the good artichokes come from Puglia, the best blood oranges are from Sicily and that Emilia-Romagna is the region that produces the best parmesan cheese, prosciutto and balsamic vinegar," states Gurrera, who operates seven Citarella gourmet markets, two of which are on the East End, in Water Mill and East Hampton.
Besides locations in midtown, Greenwich Village, the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side and the newly opened Harlem store, Gurrera operates the critically acclaimed Joseph's Restaurant on 49th Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. Tutto Italiano will have a separate catering department, will take all major credit cards and will operate seven days a week. For further information, contact Tutto Italiano at (631) 324-9500.
Al Fresco Lunch at The Inn Spot on the Bay
The Inn Spot on the Bay (32 Lighthouse Rd., Hampton Bays, NY, [631] 728-1200) is now serving lunch al fresco on their veranda overlooking the sparkling Shinnecock Bay from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday thru Monday. The Inn Spot has recently finished construction on their new dock and is making way for visitors by boat. A sample of items on the new lunch menu is as follows: Lobster Salad Roll, Day Boat Fish & Chips, BBQ Pulled Duck, Grilled Chicken, Vegetable Ciabatta, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Brochette, Filet Mignon, and a Steamed Shellfish Platter. The Inn Spot on the Bay is open for dinner seven days a week from 5 p.m. For reservations or further information please call The Inn Spot on the Bay at (631) 728-1200 or visit them on-line at www.theinnspot.com.
New in the Hamptons: Michaels' at Maidstone Beach - Homey, Accessible Food Returns to the Springs
Michaels' at Maidstone Beach (28 Maidstone Park Rd., East Hampton, NY [631] 324-0725) was sold to Debra and Rich Gherardi in mid-May. The husband and wife team is determined to restore Michaels' to the popularity it once enjoyed as a reasonably priced haven for locals and visitors to the Springs. The duo tabbed former Peconic Coast sous chef, Juan Torres, to take the helm of the kitchen. Torres worked for
years under executive chef Dennis McNeil who was the long-time chef at The Laundry as well as Peconic Coast. Open seven days a week for dinner from 5 p.m., the Gherardi's have added a flat screen television, XM radio without sacrificing the local spirit that has made Michaels' at Maidstone Beach a perennial favorite. They even left the typo in the name.
New Regime Stresses Back to Basics - The Gherardi's quickly addressed some of the issues that customers had complained about in the past. An application of warm beige paint has lightened the atmosphere, and the ever-fickle air conditioning unit has been replaced. Black and white family photos now adorn the vestibule and bar area, and art from local painters now hangs throughout the eatery. Michaelsš was long known for solid food at reasonable prices. To that end, Torres has instituted four different three course prix fixes ranging in price from $17.95 - $28.95. Appetizers are in the $5 - $10.50 range; entrees run $11.50 to $33.95 (with eleven under $20). Favorite dishes include the local fish of the day, Prince Edward Island mussels steamed in white wine, garlic and herbs, the shell steak and Long Island duck.
