I don't usually get this excited about any old restaurant or bar...Or mode of transportation (God knows that), but after spending some time in the Hampton's this summer, I've come across two excellent places and one hell of a luxurious ride to the East End that I must share with you! So get out those notepads and pens, because you won't regret jotting down these three gems!

1) The Meeting House: Located in Amagansett, this has become one of my all-time favorite restaurants serving traditional American cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients (think produce and seafood grown in the vicinity). Make sure to order the mac 'n' cheese, the scallops (each being the size of your palm) and don't forget to request some homemade bread for the table. Great cocktails, to boot!

2) The Surf Lodge: If someone asked me to summarize the Hampton's in a couple of words, I would simply say, "The Surf Lodge." Located in the quiet town of Montauk, this uber hip new hotel/restaurant/bar is hottest thing this sleepy village has ever seen. Overlooking the water's edge, The Surf Lodge's bar and restaurant evoke the colors, vibe and aura of Miami (think white, turquoise and bright orange coral). Live music, controlled mini bon-fires in the sand, al fresco dining and drinking and the best people watching East of Manhattan make The Surf Lodge my favorite summertime oasis.

3) Hampton Jitney - Ambassador Class: Sure, you can rent a car and embrace the gnarly traffic and road rage on your own; or you can fight the heinous crowds while ferociously pushing your way for a seat on the Long Island Railroad, but why not enjoy your 2 1/2-3 hour journey to the Hamptons in peace aboard a quiet, comfortable and luxurious bus? On my last jaunt to Amagansett, I decided to try something new. After an experience on the LIRR that left me contemplating, "If I have to take this damn train out here again, I'd rather not even return to the Hamptons," I decided to try the infamous Jitney bus instead. I made a reservation on their user friendly website and instead of paying $30 for the "regular" Jitney, I upgraded to "Ambassador Class" by shelling out eight more dollars. My experience was excellent. From the moment I boarded the bus, I was treated wonderfully by the Jitney staff. My seat was plush, large and comfortable and I was pleased to find that approximately every 30 minutes, I was offered bottled water, a snack, or some sort of reading material. How civilized! C'est la vie, LIRR!