Peter’s Hamptons Guide
Weekend getaways? Sign me up! If you’re like a lot of New Yorkers and you want to get outta town, you head Upstate, the Jersey Shore or like me, to the eastern tip of Long Island, where the island splits into the North Fork and South Fork. Dotted with quaint villages, farms and vineyards, each hamlet has its own distinct vibe and character. Weekends away are for sure a blessing, and the Hamptons are where I recharge my batteries year-round and, over the years, I always return to the same spots to dine or shop. For restaurants, I like to keep it low-key and delicious. For shopping, I love the array of locally-owned businesses that feature anything from dinner plates to pool toys. So, here’s my round-up of my favorite places for all things food and home!
1. The Beacon, Sag Harbor
Perched along the water in Sag Harbor, Beacon serves up the best summertime-fresh local seasonal fare, like parchment-baked halibut with sundried tomatoes, tatsoi and Israeli couscous, a signature wedge salad and a flavor-packed bouillabaisse. But the food has stiff competition— get a seat around sunset at the second floor restaurant’s mostly-outdoor space and you’ll be treated to the most spectacular cotton-candy hued skies— all the better when reflected against your crisp glass of local rose. Go while you can to this dreamy spot, cause the bright light that is Beacon is a summertime-only spot.
Photo Courtesy of The Beacon
6. Harbor Market and Kitchen, Sag Harbor
Blissfully just off the crowded main streets of Sag Harbor, Harbor Market is where I head for lunch on the go, the perfect egg sandwich for breakfast, as well as all manner of homestyle baked goods (I dream of their Kitchen Sink Cookies). Salads, roasted vegetables, salmon fillets and chicken skewers are all bursting with flavor and ready to be taken home and eaten al fresco by the pool. Oh, and that massive oven in the corner? Yup, pizzas too. Don’t forget their curation of pantry items, tabletop and cookbooks— for the perfect hostess gift.
Photo Courtesy of Harbor Market and Kitchen
10. Sag Harbor Variety Store, Sag Harbor
There are reasons to keep it old-school, and Sag Harbor Variety store is a supreme example. This Main Street emporium is a classic 5 and 10 that’s been family owned and operated for 50 years and let me tell you— they might have anything you’ve ever need or wanted— seriously! From sewing and hobby supplies, toys and puzzles, pool floaties, tote bags and t-shirts and oh-so much more, Sag Harbor Variety is essential to the small-town charm that defines Sag Harbor. Oh, and if you need tube socks or 10 yards of gingham or a frying pan, they have that too.
Photo Courtesy of Sag Harbor Variety Store
14. E-E Home, Amagansett
If home is where the heart is, then I’m moving into E-E Home, where former set designer Elizabeth Eichner’s discerning curation of artistic home, tabletop and gardening pieces will keep you swooning. Artisan blankets from Scotland, Japanese garden shears and all manner of hand-thrown ceramics and antique porcelain are set off under a massive Noguchi lantern in this light-filled elegant space. A forgiving price-range of items ensures that you can break the bank if you want to, but it’s not necessary. Can you walk out empty-handed? I seriously doubt it.
Photo Courtesy of E-E Home
19. Carissa's the Bakery, East Hampton
How many times have I waxed poetic about Carissa’s Pickled Rye Bread or their shatteringly crisp yet tender croissants? Believe me, many, many times. In just a few years, Carissa’s has become the spot for not only mouth-watering baked goods of all kinds, but for delectable locally-sourced savory dishes for lunch and dinner that are almost too pretty to eat (though trust me you will!). Their bustling yet Zen loft-like flagship in East Hampton is a study in chic restraint— all the more to set off the trays of glistening breads and pastries. And for those special occasions, their eye-catching signature cakes and meringue pies adorned with seasonal flowers and touches of gold leaf will surely impress.
