Dine, Slumber and Splurge in The Hamptons
by Karen Holly Berliner
The approach to East Hampton from NY-27 E onto Main Street toward Amagansett begins with a picturesque long pond, flanked by historical inns and offering a bounty of boutiques, top notch restaurants and of course, the proverbial landmark windmill or two.
Rita Cantina
Located in Springs, this modern Mexican Cantina features seasoned and renowned East Hampton Chef Eric Miller, known for his prior successful restaurants such as Bay Kitchen Bar. His partners Adam Miller, who is behind Rita Cantina’s creative and mindfully curated bar program and Marc Miller, who handles operations, complete the Miller family dream team.Custom designed and built by Adam Miller, the space itself is resplendent with Oaxacan textiles and vibrant pieces of pottery, enhancing its authentic vibe. The indoor dining room features an inviting bar and dining tables, leading directly out to a back patio with indigenous plants, Adirondack chairs and white picnic tables sitting on a bed of sand and beneath a canopy of vintage yellow umbrellas. This array all merged together, has you whooshed off to a Western Caribbean beach. A bonfire surrounded by matching beach chairs, allow guests to sip and dine in the atmosphere beyond a sit down dinner. Rita Cantina’s menu pays homage to Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on local offerings, from farm and water in Gardiner’s Bay and beyond. With a menu that features a range of ceviches, quesadillas, tacos, slow-cooked dishes and large plates, every palate is satisfied. Signature dishes such as the local littleneck clams with chorizo, serrano and tecate or the seafood ceviche with fluke, scallop, squid, shrimp, habanero and pomegranate are winning choices among others. Large plates, like the Local Market Catch offers a whole fish roasted with citrus is both aesthetically pleasing and flavorful. Why not pair with a refreshing cocktail mixed with tequilas or mezcal such as the Horchata Colada with rum blend, house-made and dairy-free horchata and pineapple? Frozen and original Margaritas hit the spot anytime. The tres leches cake with strawberries and passion fruit completes the meal with finesse. ritacantinahamptons.com
EHP RESORT & Marina
This Hamptons landmark underwent a multi-million-dollar transformation and reopened as EHP Resort & Marina. Featuring a contemporary Mediterranean vibe, this sprawling waterfront property offers open-air dining, private accommodations, curated activities and more. Historic exteriors blended with contemporary interiors make for stylish and comfortable cottages and suites. Most suites and cottages feature private balconies, backyards or decks, spacious living areas, a fully equipped wet-bar or kitchenette. Resort amenities and activities include a tennis court, a swimming pool, a state of the art fitness center, complimentary bikes for venturing out and a wellness/fitness calendar with classes such as yoga.
Helmed by Executive Chef Dane Sayles, EHP offers 3 individual eateries. Sí Sí’s signature paella, roasted striped bass and bucatini verde with lobster are popular choices among so many other menu items. Sunset Harbor offers a range of shareable American fare including feature items such as shrimp scampi topped with fresh crab and signature sushi rolls. Buongiorno, their Italian bakery and espresso bar, presents a variety of light morning bites and rich coffee blends by the cup, with a select stock of imported Italian goods for purchase. With two full-service marinas, EHP accommodates the yachting community to dock. EHP’s marina, located on Three Mile Harbor accommodates boats from 25ft to 120ft across 58 slips, with professional dockhands in season to assist while the affiliated Shagwong Marina about a half mile from EHP, accommodates boats from 25ft to 45ft across 40 slips, with professional dockhands on staff in season as well. Exclusive membership packages allow for added amenities throughout the summer season. ehpresort.com
El Turco and Chef Guney
El Turco is located close to the heart of East Hampton at 44 Three Mile Harbor Road. El Turco offers a unique dining experience in the Hamptons. Every aspect of each course is rooted with the uniqueness of the incredible dishes paired with unique Turkish ingredients and flavor notes. The offerings are presented with wine pairings and cocktails to elevate the dining experience. Guests experience a remarkable level of professional and warm service infused with Turkish cultural values of hospitality. An eclectic range of live entertainment & curated music are featured as guests enjoy food and drinks. Whether already a devoted Miami patron who is Out East on vacation or a visitor from New York, everyone who visits falls in love with the Turkish hospitality of El Turco. El Turco has proudly created a chef’s tasting experience of Turkish food showcasing the grand tastes and traditional expressions of the rich cultural heritage mixed with a contemporary nod to bold flavors. Each dish on the menu is based on classic Turkish recipes, reimagined by the culinary team lead by Mr. Yuzbasioglu and talented Executive Chef Guney with some dishes originating from the Aegean and Anatolian part of Turkey, as well as special select dishes from the Mediterranean and South-Eastern region.
Dishes include Armenian style Pilaki or classic mains such as Ali Nazik Kebab - a smoked pureed eggplant topped with cubes of sautéed lamb. The menu also features a variety of summer salads and avariety of delightful small plates such as Manti - small beef dumplings topped with garlic yogurt, sumac and dry mint. El Turco catering is offering traditional Turkish Cuisine delivered to your home as well as take-out options including convenient delivery by UberEats. Chef Meze will offer divinely scrumptious menus and white-glove service for all types of parties and affairs throughout the region. Be it weddings or anniversaries, special birthdays, fundraisers or beyond, this highly anticipated catering company will produce top-notch events showcasing their culinary creations while providing the highest level of service and hospitality.
elturcoturkishfood.com/EAST-HAMPTON/
Bostwicks Chowder House
Somethings are better left alone. Bostwick’s in East Hampton is a perfect example of this as their classic menu has returned this season, with favorites such as baked stuffed clams, seared tuna seaweed salad, pickled ginger and spicy Asian and wasabi sauces or the beloved Raw Bar Sampler here, served in its simple perfection, featuring three oysters, three clams and three shrimp, cocktail style. Homemade chowders and soups such as the lobster bisque continue to be popular. Local fluke Milanese sautéed with a panko crust and topped with baby arugula, tomatoes and onions, tossed with lemon vinaigrette is fresh and tasty. Sautéed crab cakes with remoulade sauce, vegetables and rice or a potato is consistently delicious. Tuna poke bowl with rice and a flavorful mango salsa, edamame, cucumbers, pickled ginger, wasabi cucumber sauce and sesame seeds, surpasses the ordinary poke bowl. bostwickschowderhouse.com
The Millhouse Inn
This boutique destination inn is open year-round. With 10 rooms and suites, each beautifully, yet individually designed and some with a fireplace, it lends for the perfect Hamptons getaway. Prepare to soak in a claw-footed tub and take in the faint occasional sound of a train passing through, an unexpected charming lullaby. Mornings here are about breakfast, as the menu offers a variety of tasty and inventive choices. A signature dish is blueberry pancakes, fluffy and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. A new menu item along with other sandwich choices is the pair of Montauk lobster rolls; traditional soft and tasty buns, celery, mayonnaise, heirloom tomato salad and baby greens with a sherry vinaigrette. The coffees and teas are offered with great pride and expertise. Enjoy anything from a boutique blend tea thanks to palais des thés paristo, to an extra strong and rich cup of coffee by Baby’s Coffee such as la tasse Cajun as the menu playfully invites you to “watch your spoon stand up all on its own”.
millhouseinn.com
