Southampton - The Hamptons is widely coveted for its charity galas, private clambakes, and receptions at million-dollar estates, but this weekend, the place to be was at the restaurants.

"Real Housewives of NYC's" Kelly Bensimon (Jerome Trunk show at Blue & Cream). (Rob Rich)

On Friday night, designer Douglas Hannant and business partner Frederick Anderson threw a Summer Kick-off dinner party at Georgica for a fashionable Hamptons crowd. Over 50 of the designers friends, including Anne Hearst, Project Runway's Nina Garcia, CNN's Alina Cho, Judith Giuliani, Fern Mallis, Bettina Zilkha, Pamela Gross, Jill Martin, James Finkelstein, Rosanna Scotto, Jeffrey Slonim, R. Couri Hay, Melissa Berkelhammer, Somers Farkas, Whitney Fairchild, and Lucia Hwong Gordon enjoyed a cocktail hour sponsored by Vision Vodka, and three-course menu created by executive chefs Robert Hesse and Seth Levine. After sampling the signature Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato salad, Pan Roasted Chilean Sea Bass, and Mushroom Risotto, the entire restaurant stopped and serenaded the designer, who was presented with a platter of chocolate cupcakes lit with sparklers for his birthday.

Over in Southampton, 75 Main, a restaurant that has long enjoyed a prime location on Main Street (as "75 Main," "James on Main," and "Lori," subsequently), reopened under its classic name but new management. Zach Erdem, previously the General Manager of see-and-be-seen spots Nello and Nello Summertimes, has taken the reigns from longtime owner June Spirer and given the place an overhaul. The restaurant is revamped with a clean, open layout, and Italian-influenced dishes like Halibut Oregonato, Sea Bass Papillote, Filet Mignon, Duck a L'Orange, and Pasta Prima Vera. This weekend played host to a young lively bar scene and visits from "Real Housewives of NYC's" Jill Zarin and man about town Michael Lohan, who also dined at Tide Runners on Sunday night with his fiancé, and was heard speaking of his investments in Annona Restaurant in Westhampton Beach.

Singer Kelly Rowland at Axe. (Wireimage)

Serafina, the popular Northern Italian NYC staple with several outposts throughout Manhattan, opened in East Hampton on Saturday in the old Matto space on North Main. Owners Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato hosted an early-evening opening event in an outdoor sand-covered area, where guests mingled, sipped cocktails, and sampled mini pizza hors d'oeuvres. The new friendly, comfortable eatery offers a variety of thin crust pizzas and pastas, as well as private catering and happy hour specials, sure to please the whole family.

"Serafina is one of my favorite places for a great casual dinner or lunch," said "Real Housewives of NYC's" Ramona Singer, who dropped by with husband Mario to support the new branch. "I go there with my girlfriends, my daughter goes there with her friends, and we go there as a family. I was so happy to see they opened a location out here." She came decked in a colorful top and earrings, bracelet and ring from her new HSN jewelry line, which she's excited to be launching later this summer.

75 Main's Zach Erdem, Michael Lohan (Opening of 75 Main). (Rob Rich)

Almond, Eric Lemonides' Bridgehampton bistro, hosted the VIP after party for the 11th annual School's Out benefit, held earlier at the scenic Grey Gardens estate in East Hampton. The popular fundraiser, which sold out a whole four weeks prior to the event date, raised a record $180K for the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School, and founded to "create a safe and supportive environment in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth can reach their full potential." Along with sponsors Ralph Lauren, GQ, Diageo and Solstice, over 400 attendees mingled and toured the massive grounds, including Bravo TV's Andy Cohen, Dennis Basso, O'Brien Kelly, Michael Cominotto, Kristian Laliberte, Timo Weiland, Douglas Marshall, New York Daily News columnist Carson Griffith, and PMC's Adriel Reboh.

Other popular restaurant picks were Bostwick's Chowder House on Pantigo Road in East Hampton, where Kim Cattrall traded her party dress for jeans and a tee-shirt on Sunday night and shared a tuna appetizer and grilled swordfish with four friends (how very "Sex & the City"). Alec Baldwin also stopped by in between shows on Saturday (he's now starring in horse-themed "Equus" at Guild Hall), and chowed down on Manhattan chowder, fried oysters, and coconut shrimp rolls with a friend. Down the road at Turtle Crossing, Katie Couric and daughter Caroline chatted with fans while waiting for their takeout order of ribs, Turtle famous corn and a veggie burger. On Wednesday, former "Top Chef" contestant Sam Talbot of Surf Lodge and his wife stopped into Townline BBQ in Sagaponack, sampling some burnt ends, pulled pork, fried onions, pickles, mac & cheese, collard greens & baked beans. And on Tuesday, Patricia Wettig of "Brothers & Sisters" chose perennial favorite Nick & Toni's as her date night destination with husband Ken Olin.

Those who didn't dine found other, indoor, ways to take advantage of this weekend's less-than-ideal beach weather.

Ramona Singer at Serafina. (Rob Rich)

For The Shoppers:
Designer Emily Jerome showcased her brightly-colored collection at a trunk show at Blue & Cream on Saturday, along with "Real Housewives of NYC's" Kelly Bensimon, who unveiled her new feather jewelry. She also debuted a special pair of charity earrings, made from Swarovski crystals and ostrich feather, of which 100 percent of the profits benefit Feeding America. Lending their support at the East Hampton boutique were Kelly's two daughters, Sea and Thad, "The City's" Roxy Olin, Kelly Klein, Andrew Saffir, Daniel Benedict, and supermodels Chanel Iman and Eniko Mikhalik.

For The Music Fans:
Former Destiny's Child member and current solo artist Kelly Rowland, in town to visit friends, dropped by Axe Lounge to celebrate the release of her new single "Commander." And next Saturday, a luxury liner will be transporting press and models to Boathouse for a special performance by Kevin Rudolf, who will be singing hit singles like "Let It Rock" a cappella while his videos play over the TV screens.

For The Sports Enthusiasts:
Next Monday, the Hamptons Golf Classic, an annual fundraiser started by Zev Norotsky and now in its sixth year, will give participants an opportunity to play for a cause alongside several sports legends. Host Justin Tuck of the Giants will be joined by former Knicks star John Starks, Baseball Great Darryl Strawberry, and Rangers player Brandon Dubinsky at the Hampton Hills Country Club in Westhampton on June 21 to support Tuck's R.U.S.H. for literacy, which donates books to children in NYC and Tuck's hometown of Central Alabama.

Come hungry for competition.