“Oh look at you, Miss Thang!  You’re so fancy pants going to the Hamptons!” 

• Actually, I’m not.  If you saw the share house I called home last weekend, you would agree that my accommodations made public housing look like the Ritz!  Between losing power/water/plumbing for 8 hours, to nearly getting eaten alive by bed bugs, my experience could hardly be compared to an episode of VH1’s “The Fabulous Life of…”

“Isn’t everything in the Hamptons like outrageously expensive?” 

• No.  The Hamptons can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.  As far as restaurants go, Las Vegas and California still blow NY State out of the water in terms of pricing.

• What is a share house and how does it work?  Will this be something I would be interested in?
  • A “share house” is exactly what it sounds like: A large house, typically a mile or two away from the beach, with at least four bedrooms.  Each bedroom can have up to four beds. 
  • Share-house managers offer potential house members a slew of weekend options, typically: ¼ summer, ½ summer, or full-summer.  Payment is due in full and you don't have a space in the house until your check has been cashed. 
  • Here are some questions to ask yourself in regards to whether a standard summer share is right for you.  Do you mind…
    • Sharing a bedroom with at least one other person, but most likely three to four people?
    • Sharing a bathroom?

How far in advance do I need to start planning for a summer in the Hamptons?    

This is going to sound crazy, but if you are looking to join a share house, then it’s best to begin your search in January/February for the upcoming summer. 

When you say “it’s best to begin looking,” what exactly do you mean?  Where can I “look” for a share house?

• Start with craigslist.com.  Some other great sites are: www.to27.com and www.hamptons.guestofaguest.com.  Make sure that you and your potential house manager meet in person before you fork over any cash (you need to know what you're getting yourself in to).

How much is too much to pay per weekend? 

• Over $350

Feel like you’ve outgrown the “summer share” experience? 

• Don’t fret, the Hamptons has its share of hotels/motels!  I find the best source of information to be on www.tripadvisor.com.  **Note: I’ve stayed at Sole East Resort in Montauk, which was pretty decent.**
  

I don’t have a car in the city.  How do I get out to the Hamptons?  

• • Rent a car for the weekend!  This is definitely ideal, as getting around the Hamptons by taxi can get pricey quick. 
  • Hampton Jitney: Aside from arriving by helicopter, I think this is the ideal way to roll in to the East end.  Make sure to take the “ambassador class.”  It’s a couple more bucks, but definitely worth it!
  • Hampton Luxury Liner: This is the Jitney’s competitor, and you know what?  The Jitney is WAY better, in my opinion.  Let this be your "next best" bus option.
    
  • LIRR (Long Island Railroad): This is my least favorite method of getting to the Hamptons.  However, if you have to take the train, make sure not to over pack, as overhead space is thinner than a model’s waist.  Also, do yourself a favor and use the facilities prior to boarding.  The unisex bathrooms on-board make air plane restrooms seem palatial and lickably clean.
  • Taxi (in Hamptons): Take the phone numbers of taxis/drivers, so that you can contact them in a hurry.  Make sure to call for a cab at least 30 min’s prior to your desired departure time.  This ain't NYC, honey; and by that, I mean that taxis aren't readily available at all hours of the day/night.
    

What am I supposed to bring for a weekend out East? 

• • Pack lightly!
    
  • If you’re staying in a share house, find out if clean linens/towels are provided.  If not, make sure to pack your own: Beach towel, bath towel and wash rag.
    
  • Shower shoes (share house)
    
  • Hand sanitizer
    
  • Umbrella
    
  • Mini flashlight
    
  • Bug-bite cream (I prefer hydrocortisone, myself.)
    
  • Advil
    
  • Cold hard CASH (for cabs and cover charges at lame-ass clubs/lounges that you WILL get dragged to)
    
  • Light jacket for cool nights
    
  • Sunscreen 
    
  • Aloe Vera gel (for those of you prone to burning)
    
  • Swim suit
    
  • Camera (trust me, you will want to take pictures…the landscape is gorgeous!)
    
  • Clothes, toiletries, etc.
  
  

• Most beaches in the Hamptons have permit-only parking, which basically means: Don’t even think about parking at the beach (w/o a permit) because you WILL get towed/ticketed, just like I did.
  
• Taxis: Take the phone numbers of taxis/drivers, so that you can contact them in a hurry.  Make sure to call for a cab at least 30 min’s prior to your desired departure time.  This ain't NYC, honey; and by that, I mean that taxis aren't readily available at all hours of the day/night.
  
• Taxi fares are negotiable.
  
• If you plan to arrive via the Hampton Jitney, make sure that someone/cab is at your stop to pick you up, because you will literally be dropped off on the side of I-27.
  
• Rent a bike!  This is the best way to get around in the daytime.  You don’t have to fuss with beach permits, finding a parking space, or paying a cabbie to take you around!  Trust me; you’ll enjoy your time and your beautiful surroundings so much more.

• Beach: Cooper’s Beach, in Southampton, is gorgeous and you can pay to park!  Plus, getting there is half the fun as you “Oooo” and “Ahhh” over perfectly trimmed hedges and mansions as far as the eye can see.
• Hampton: East Hampton
• Shopping: Southampton, East Hampton
• Quick breakfast joint: Mary’s Marvelous in Amagansett
• Quick lunch spot: Lobster salad on a soft Kaiser bun from Brent’s General Store in Amagansett
• Dinner
  • The Meeting House, Amagansett
  • East by Northeast, Montauk
• Spot for après-beach/dinner cocktails: Surf Lodge, Montauk
• See-and-be-seen: Georgica, Wainscot/East Hampton

• Cuisine: New American
• Scene: Trendy, people watching, dress-to-impress
• Occasion: Perfect venue to eat…Then party in the same space!
• Must try: Seared Diver Scallops
• Price: My meal: Seared Diver Scallops, $22; Rigatoni w/ Ground sausage & Whole Baby Clams, $26
• Reservations: Via phone or opentable.com
• Phone: (631) 537-5603
• Website: N/A
• Location: 108 Wainscott Stone Rd., (at Montauk Highway)

• If it's serenity you're seeking, try to get a dinner reservation on the earlier side of the evening (before 8pm), as Georgica becomes a pseudo-lounge/club after 11pm.
• Although both pizzas and pastas are offered on the menu, order adventurously!
• During Indian-summer nights, make sure you are not seated in one of the enclosed un-air-conditioned patios.  Trust me, it's brutal!

 

Check out my published review on to27.com, the social roadmap to Hamptons lifestyle: http://to27.com/2009/08/22/the-lunch-belle-east-by-northeast/

 

 

 

 

xo,
TLB

 

When I think of weekend getaways outside of my beloved Manhattan, I become anxious:

• How are the restaurants/food-shopping? Is everything located in strip malls?
• Will I get bored and homesick?

With the exception of two or three destinations, I get depressed whenever I leave the Big Apple. I know, I know; just what in the hell is wrong with me? Shouldn’t I be happy that I’m on vacation? Wouldn’t it suck harder to be at work? Trust me, I wish I had an answer to all of these questions, but I don’t. Sometimes I chalk this up to fearing open spaces and lack of people; and other times I assume that I’ve just grown too accustomed to all of Manhattan’s conveniences.

The Hamptons, on the other hand, are one of the few destinations that I don’t get depressed leaving NYC for. There’s just something extra beautiful, special and unique about the East end of Long Island. Aside from its majestic beauty (emerald green lawns and manicured hedges, an abundance of colorful flowers, the pristine navy blue Atlantic, soft caramel-brown sand, polo fields, lush forest, etc.), the Hamptons also has NYC-worthy shopping, restaurants and nightlife. I can’t think of a locale that better combines shear peace and relaxation with an elite urban sophistication.

Here are some of my favorite East End restaurants/grab-and-go’s that I particularly enjoyed on my recent weekend getaway in Amagansett:

• The Meeting House (Amagansett): This is one of my all-time-favorite restaurants. Meals begin with freshly baked rolls and a plate of hummus, crudités and pita squares. Make sure to order a side/appetizer of the macaroni & cheese, followed by the scallop entrée. I’ve never had a better version/preparation of these mollusks anywhere else in the world. *The Meeting House is conveniently located across the street from the popular bar, The Stephen Talkhouse. Unfortunately, the ‘Talkhouse’s mandatory $25 cover charge is quite the buzz-kill.
• Brent’s General Store (Amagansett): This grab-and-go mini market has everything you need on a whim: Beer, soda, water, sun block, chips/snacks, etc. What people may not know is that Brent’s also has a breakfast/lunch counter. Think along the lines of made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, bagels & cream cheese, pastries, etc. My favorite item at Brent’s is the lobster salad that I order on a soft Kaiser roll. The meat is so fresh that I’m almost certain the crustacean was swimming in the Atlantic just hours before winding up on my sandwich. The ample chunks of lobster are mixed with mayo, chopped celery, salt and pepper, and a couple of secret ingredients that may/may not be: Celery seed, garlic powder. This sandwich just may be the best unofficial “lobster roll” I’ve ever tasted.
• East by Northeast (Montauk): Prior to Saturday afternoon, I had never heard of this restaurant. However, since most of our share house was headed there for dinner, my group of friends and I decided to tag along. Located on the Montauk Pond, East by Northeast makes use of its picturesque surroundings with floor to ceiling windows, swanky outdoor bar seating and a hip, modern interior. Begin the evening with one of E x NE’s fabulous cocktails; I highly recommend the mojito. Menu standouts are: Angry Crab Legs (similar to those served at Morimoto) and the pristinely fresh local halibut. While the dessert menu looked fantastic, we were too full to order anything.
• Mary’s Marvelous (Amagansett): For a casual breakfast on-the-go, head here for a plethora of freshly-baked goodies (scones, muffins, cupcakes, bars, etc.), locally-made treats, bagels, warm breakfast sandwiches, and some of the best coffee/espresso drinks this side of Italy.

xo,
TLB

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!