Katie Lee Joel. Photo by PatrickMcMullan.com

Summer is finally here and before I give you the dish on the doings of our friends and neighbors on the East End I feel it my obligation to tip you on a couple of new places that are guaranteed to add to your dining choices and put a little zest into the nightlife scene.

I just learned that the club Resort is in for a "French Twist". Longtime owner of the property Frank Cilione, who spends most of his time in Palm Beach, will be transforming the dance club into a French bistro/cabaret/lounge. It will be called Flirt. He's bringing chef Marc Rothschild, formerly of the very hot eatery Forge in Miami and the elegant River Café in New York, to give the kitchen a Gallic overhaul. Word is they will be ready to bid you Bon Soir this weekend.

Going French too is promoter/club owner, the very popular Rocco Ancarola, who does a little something different each season. As we speak Rocco is off to Cannes to cash in on a bit of the Riviera action. He's hosting the premiere party for First Star Pictures "Siege of O'Okiep" at a temporary Pink Elephant at the Cannes Film Festival. I am sure he'll return with lots of ideas for revving up the Hamptons nightlife scene.

That old potato barn known for the last decade or so as The Tavern is now the East End outpost of New York hotspot Stereo, as I told you it would be ages ago. They are promising a major re-do of the cavernous space, top shelf booze – at a price – and much coddling of their expected VIP clientele. They are even reportedly offering complimentary helicopter service from New York to a landing pad nearby. Uh, the only pad nearby I know is the already much overused landing on Dune Road where the neighbors are folks like Calvin Klein who have paid big bucks for their slice of Elysium. I can't wait for the reverb on this one.

But there is some good news for Southamptonites – hell it is good news for everyone - the recent change in ownership at 75 Main Street. After two seasons as Lori's Wine Bar & Restaurant, a name that never took (regulars continued to call it 75 Main), constant staff changes and an erratic kitchen, the restaurant has been taken over by longtime local favorite Tim Burke of The Clamman and Four Seasons Caterer. Tim, who has a sterling reputation among the social set for both his down home casual clambakes and his elegant menus for posh parties and high end weddings, has brought along executive chef Randy Reiss and catering director Sue Collins. Already the new menu is drawing raves, the bar is filling up by cocktail time and the breezy space is humming.

After hearing about the many skirmishes encountered by several of our local culinary heroes with the powers that be, I am thrilled to report that we may finally get a chance to chomp on some real old fashioned 'cue - as in barbecue not pool stick, when Townline BBQ opens in Sagaponack. Yes kiddies, we'll soon be able to indulge in serious Texas-style barbecued brisket, beef and pork ribs with all the traditional fixins - baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, collard greens and cornbread.

And to whom do we owe this waist threatening gustatory blessing? Mark Smith and Joe Realmuto of Nick & Toni's fame. Not content with picking up one of the thousands of books on 'cue, Joe and Mark hightailed to Kansas and Texas to consult with the top pit masters and 'Cue Kings to perfect a very special dry rub. That doesn't mean there won't be any molasses laden gooey sauce. They serve it on the side so don't worry about that cute little baby blue Tory Burch number you are desperate to strut.

Now that I've helped you with your going out slate let me fill you in on the goings on here so you'll have something to chat about over your champagne at Flirt!

First I must tell you I'm salivating even more after hearing that Katie Lee Joel, as in Mrs. Billy Joel, is getting started on a cookbook filled with down home Southern recipes. Is there no end to my torture? Katie, I'll be happy to be taste tester.

Roy Scheider Day! That's what Vanity Fair writer James Walcott is lobbying for especially after viewing the first installment of "Endgame" on the hit series Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Our good neighbor Roy plays a creepy death row psycho who's looking to buy time by playing Vincent D'Onofrio's Det. Goren character and tipping him off to hidden scrapbooks that chronicle unsolved cases and their victims. It's all very Hannibal Lechter matching wits with Clarice Starling with Roy playing the most perverse, twisted and unrepentant sleazo seen on screen in decades. I found it a little unsettling to see the kind, gentle man I catch reading the paper over breakfast at the Candy Kitchen transform into a devious monster. But hey, that's why they call it great acting.

That indefatigable champion of dance Patricia Kennedy is rocking back to town to host a little luncheon at venerable theater hangout Sardi's for the committees of the 22nd annual Career Transition for Dancers Gala this fall. Always the premiere dance event of the season, the theme this year is Dance Rocks! Not too surprising from the brilliant Patricia who convinced Prince (who will be strutting his purple stuff at Ross this July) to collaborate with The Joffrey Ballet for the world record breaking Billboards. I can't wait to find out whom she is pulling in for this fete. I do know that the honoree this year will be Patricia's former co-chairwoman the gracious Anka Palitz. Frankly, I was surprised that Patricia picked up the baton once again to spearhead this year's gala after her amazing success last year but no doubt, hard as it seems, I just know she'll top herself.

Last week I had the thrill of being in the presence of one of our greatest living journalists, Mike Wallace. The Foreign Press Association honored the legendary 60 Minutes correspondent emeritus at their annual International Journalism Scholarship Awards Dinner. Mike was ever so gracious and clearly delighted to be speaking with the very sharp young award winners. The only downer was keynote speaker Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank who delivered a rather somber speech on the current state of affairs.

But the mood was lightened considerably when our contributing editor John Wegorzewski, a friend of Mike's, led the crowd of media international press heavy weights, including Wallace's longtime fellow correspondent Bob Simon, in a rousing Happy Birthday to the news veteran who just turned 89 that brought a huge grin to his face.

The amazingly talented vocalist/composer/musician and star on the world music scene Tiye Giraud is wrapping up her 10th annual residency at The Hayground School with a concert of traditional African folk songs. Tiye, who has toured the world with the acclaimed musical groups Urban Bush Women and Women of the Calabash as well as a solo artist, has been working with the school's students to create shakeres, traditional beaded gourd percussion instruments native to Africa and The Caribbean. She will lead the students in performing such favorites as The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Go wish Tiye Happy Anniversary and get into the Aweemoway spirit!

Prolific East End artist and all around Renaissance man - painter, poet, musician, composer - Haim Mizrahi jump starts the summer season with a monumental show of his large scale paintings and mixed media works Memorial Day Weekend at East Hampton Studios. The opening reception with the artist Saturday, May 26 from 4-10pm will feature smokin' jazz by New York Groove Associates and a cut loose African percussion jam session with local musicians Jay Schneiderman (our County Legislator!), Dan Bailey, and Ken Sacks. Get your summer started in high spirited Hamptons style - big art, kickin' music, great poetry, terrific conversation, cocktails, nibblies. Sounds like a great party!

I know that I already told you that Ralph Lauren will be receiving the Council Of Fashion Designers of America Legend Award at their annual gala. What I didn't know then is that none other then Oprah Winfrey will be making the presentation. As well, Calvin Klein and old pal Donna Karan will co-present the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award to accessories god Robert Lee Morris.

I was sorely disappointed to hear that wickedly funny Tracy Morgan, who stars in the Tina Fey created 30 Rock spoof on Saturday Night Live, has dropped out of the all star line up for Bay Street's wildly popular Comedy Club series. We were just dying to hear his riffs on his co-star – tough-love dad Alec Baldwin. But there'll still plenty of yucks to be found in the line up. Paula Poundstone kicks off the fun on Memorial Day Weekend and the series continues through summer with the funniest comics around including Jim Breuer, Caroline Rhea and Lewis Black.

The buzz on Broadway is that Mel Brooks has finally found the perfect leading man for the new musical based on his wildly funny movie Young Frankenstein. The lucky guy is none other then Roger Bart who starred in Brooks' box office goldmine, The Producers. Seems the creative team had earmarked Bart to play hunchback Igor and then in one of those bursts of creative genius, they all said, "What about Roger as Dr, Frankenstein?"

It's official! The smash musical Grey Gardens will have its London debut next season with its acclaimed leading lady Christine Ebersole, recreating her tour de force performance as both of East Hampton's most famous eccentrics Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter "Little Edie Beale". East of Doheny president Kelly Gonda, the lead producer, is thrilled to bring a taste of the East End to the Brits who really appreciate eccentricity. Kelly and hubby Lou, who chaired this week's tribute to their dear friend Wynn Handman and The American Place Theatre, are just busting to get to London.

Power Hamptons couple Pete Peterson of the Blackstone Group and wife Joan Ganz Cooney of Children's Television Workshop and Sesame Street fame have recently purchased the massive Fifth Avenue manse of David Geffen. David, a New Yorker at heart, has opted for other digs in The Big Apple. Word is the purchase price was $37 million! Pete and Joan will be honored at the upcoming Heart Fund gala at the Hayground School in July.

In a rare marriage between a mainstream apparel company and a luxury designer, Liz Claiborne Inc. is buying the high-end design firm of Narciso Rodriguez, who became famous for creating the wedding dress that Carolyn Bessette wore to wed John F. Kennedy Jr. The deal should help our pal Narciso, who has been struggling financially despite a strong following and enormous press. For Claiborne, which is reinventing itself amid growing competition in the industry, the deal marks a move into the hot luxury market.

If you're wondering what happened to the former Mrs. Alec Baldwin, check out Danny De Vito's "Even Money." It stars De Vito, Kim Basinger, Kelsey Grammer, Forest Whitaker, Ray Liotta, Tim Roth and a cast of thousands.

Have really great, safe and sane weekend. Remember this is only the beginning. Don't overdo it, and if you do leave the car keys and call the best private chauffeurs in town, Hometown Taxi.