The holiday season is fast upon us, and with restlessness about us and craving palettes in tow, we hope to enjoy all the many renderings that we can. In that spirit, Gladys Magazine has gleaned a well-rounded sampling of some of our favorite holiday dining spots in the Hamptons on the East End of New York.
Enchanté Bistro-Southampton
Enchanté, Southampton's modern French-inspired bistro, combines the ambiance of a Parisian brasseries with a casual and leisurely dining experience likened to the South of France. Enter and take in the romantic design of the interior in taupe, gray and a splash of orange, with silver and brass accents. In addition to the well-stocked bar and dining room, Enchanté has a private dining space for events. Sip a glass of select wine or perhaps a craft cocktail. Dine and enjoy some of their signature dishes such as the decadent Crab Caviar or perhaps one of their French classic dishes, such as Escargot, velvety, plump and rich. Signature brunch and dinner menus include caviar and escargot appetizers, duck and trout entrées, salads, select cheeses and special desserts to offer a sweet conclusion to your meal.
Union Burger Bar
When you hit a "burger joint", you're either looking for convenience of an old reliable or the satisfying of a very niche craving.
Burger, fries, drink and done, right?
Not the case at Union Burger Bar as a dining experience at Union, not only has the convenience and craving part covered, it actually is all of that and a bag of chips (or a healthy portion of home cut fries as it were). Enjoy some very special burgers prepared exactly as you order. The black and bleu burger is juicy and topped with strips of crisp bacon, all ingredients tasted in every bite which is key. Some good old-fashioned thick shakes, served with extra milkshake in a retroesque metal canister, is a fun nod to shakes and malts perhaps had in childhood--and what a treat it is. The waitstaff are attentive and the space is delightful, with nice jazz music playing in the background which enhances the experience. You’re going to want to stop by during happy hour, Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., for $6 beers and a guaranteed masterpiece of a burger.
Il Pellicano at Bijoux
This restaurant and nightclub combination aka supper club, Il Pellicano at Bijoux recently opened in New York City and its Hamptons outpost is now open at the Blu Mar space in Southampton. Featuring Il Pellicano, its authentic Italian restaurant with a menu by Chef Rocco DiSpirito, the Hamptons outpost resembles Il Pellicano’s NYC interior, also designed by Dimitri Hyacinthe, but features a new seafood-focused menu crafted by Chef DiSpirito. Appetizers such as the Foxley River Oysters with cucumber mignonette from Prince Edward Island, Canada starts the meal off perfectly. The black sea bass entrée with fresh local corn, tomatoes and red pearl onion is a feast. The back of the space offers a luxe bar and lounge serving craft cocktails and offering bottle service.
Claude's Restaurant
This long-standing and revered Tudor hotel in Southampton offers everything, making for the perfect getaway with all wants and needs covered. Enjoy a range of amenities including an outdoor tennis court, a seasonal outdoor pool and bicycles for rent should you wish. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless internet, concierge services and an arcade/game room along with a complimentary beach shuttle to insure dipping your barefoot feet in the sand with ease and convenience. A 24-hour business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby and a 24-hour front desk round out the offerings. With 90 individually decorated guestrooms, featuring refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, Tempur-Pedic bed adorned with premium luxury bedding luxury and comfort are at your disposal. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature designer toiletries.
Claude's Restaurant at the Southampton Inn is kicking off this season with a new tavern-style menu. Favorites such as roasted chicken and steak frites or for the seafood lover, dishes like champagne scallops among other entrées, appetizers, soups, salads and sides offer a nice range of delicious choices for all palates. Claude’s Chesapeake Bay lump crabcake, Atlantic blue claw crab, mango salsa, petite greens and Cajun remoulade is beautifully plated and delectable. Claude's is open daily for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch and dinner Thursday through Monday in addition. Enjoy dining on the patio by the pool or inside the dining room. Relax with a cold cocktail at the beach bar, the poolside bar, or one of 2 bars/lounges. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.
The 1708 House
This historical B & B partially dates to 1708 and has a museum-like cellar dating to about 1648. Offering a main house with four 18th century, one 19th century, four 20th century, and three 21st century accommodations, this inn has three separate two-bedroom cottages, two with kitchens. All the rooms have a private bath, a flatscreen TV and air conditioning. The common areas include a cozy fireplace, a wood paneled reading room, a dining room and a brick patio. Situated close to shops, restaurants and beaches, you are free to step out or just relax comfortably at the inn. Guests receive complimentary beach parking passes.
Southampton Social Club
This iconic spot offers an authentic supper club experience year after year in the region. Dine al fresco, sip tasty cocktails and enjoy a cheers to a memorable holiday. Choose dishes from a special menu, thanks to the very talented Executive Chef Scott Kampf and Chef de Cuisine Mark Fasciana. The 2024 Cocktail Program continues to please discerning palates. The weekly entertainment at the social club features some of the industry's greatest musical artists. High-energy, live DJ sets insure a vibrant nightlife experience, both indoors or out in the beach-style cabanas and under the stars in the moonlight.
The Hampton Maid, Hampton Bays
Perched atop a picturesque hillside and overlooking the shimmering Shinnecock Bay, this 12 acre family-owned seasonal guest retreat circa 1959, offers an outstanding breakfast eatery and a world class dining spot, and is scant minutes from the Shinnecock Hills and Sebonac Golf Clubs. The property has many comfortable cabins, with all of the conveniences right in your cabin, including a back entry leading to a delightful private furnished deck for catching the last embers of the day. Enjoy their onsite leisure activities, such as a shuffleboard court or a swim in their swimming pool. The country style breakfast here is known for its hearty portions of all breakfast favorites and beyond. For lighter fare, enjoy Maid Mix-Homemade organic granola with rolled oats, coconut, dried apricots, pistachios, pumpkin seeds and served with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit or enjoy hearty and healthy.
No one is looking.
R.AIRE
Enter this quant dining space at The Hampton Maid and be wowed by their humble breakfast spot’s conversion to a white table clothed, finely appointed dining room. Here they are proud to host a culinary experience extraordinaire at their onsite restaurant R.AIRE, complete with a mixologist bartender, mixing drinks to perfection and the attentive wait staff seeing to your every fancy. Concept created by Executive Chef Alex Bujoreanu, this restaurant focuses on introducing new and innovative dishes, along with classics with a unique and modern twist. His perfectly balanced menu combines the best in global cuisine with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and novel cooking techniques to create a memorable dining experience. Chef Alex is proud to offer diners two choices: a Spanish-influenced à la carte menu each night featuring tapas and paella, or a six-course prix fixe tasting menu that is a tribute to French cuisine on Friday and Saturday nights. Savor the scrumptious dishes here with inventive cocktails and chef-curated wine pairings. The charcuterie here is a great place to start; a platter filled to the brim with meats and cheeses and much more delicacies, to warm up your palette. Paellas are authentic and can be enjoyed with the meat variety, the seafood variety with fresh and tasty calamari, mussels, shrimp, and clams or for the foodie who loves it all, the Land & Sea paella is stocked with filet mignon, lobster, calamari and more. Make sure to sample the tapas here, with offerings such as octopus squid ink romesco, roasted rainbow carrots, crispy chickpeas, pickled raisins, 20 months aged manchego, grilled chorizo and so much more. Make sure to listen for the Chef Alex’s specials of the evening. The fresh fried anchovies for example, are a rare and delicious treat-as authentic as can be, as backed up by this passionate chef’s labors of love. He will be more than happy to share the process of those fresh and delicious anchovies, from catch to plate. The squid ink pasta with a bounty of shell fish atop, was presented seafood first in a small simmering casserole of tasty clams, mussels and shrimp sans pasta and then added to the squid ink pasta in its entirety. Be sure to keep your napkin handy, as indulging in squid ink pasta is like eating an edible inked work of art, an experience for all of the senses.
You will need extra napkins.
Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, Hamptons Bay
The site of America’s oldest inn, Canoe Place has hosted travelers and gatherings for hundreds of years. Now home to the restored, 25-room Canoe Place Inn, resplendent with cottages, pool and gardens, this magnificent Hampton Bays landmark is a canal-front enclave featuring luxury accommodations and amenities. Arrive here and find one, two, three and four bedroom properties featuring king beds with fine Italian linens, Costa Brazil exclusive bath products, robes, and slippers. The full kitchen has everything you need including a Nespresso coffee maker, tea kettle, fridge, dishwasher and more. The living room invites you in with its comfortable sitting area around a cozy electric fireplace which looks out onto a private patio and green space. Locally curated minibars and small refrigerators, 50″ TVs with personalized streaming and more are offered for additional comfort and convenience. The in-house dining here continues the extraordinary experience, offering a regionally inspired culinary experience with a coastal Mediterranean influence. Enjoy their beautifully appointed dining room, Tavern bar and comfortable patio and outdoor bar, all set up to invite you in. Small plates and salads begin the experience with tasty choices such as a salad of wild mixed greens, macerated cherries and cheddar drizzled with hazelnut vinaigrette. The Canoe Place Inn Clams Casino are done to perfection, with smoked bacon, parmesan, and saltine crumbs. The Peconic Bay Clam Pie is a very special treat, with plump Cherrystone clams, pickled chilies and Parmigiano Reggiano. The Cherrywood grilled Atlantic salmon with red grapes, toasted hazelnut and cauliflower purée is flavorful and satisfying while the American Wagyu Cheeseburger served on a brioche bun hits the spot when looking for an American favorite. Sweets such as the strawberry shortcake made up of vanilla sponge cake, strawberries and a delightfully light champagne mousse is a perfect meal’s end. To pair the meal, their wine program consists of approximately 250 selections, curated by their expert sommelier and their Food & Beverage Director. Of course, Canoe Place offers inventive and traditional cocktails, should you wish.
Oaklands Restaurant & Marina, Hamptons Bay
Oaklands has been a favorite waterfront destination in Hampton Bays for over 30 years and continues to be. With Executive John Hill at the helm, this family-owned and operated restaurant, bar and marina offers stunning views, ideal for soaking in sunsets over Shinnecock Inlet. Featuring the bounty of the local waterways, along with other land-lover dishes, the fresh lobster is an absolute favorite by far. Enjoy mixology perfected bar drinks such as the Berry Lemonade; Stoli blueberry vodka, fresh seasonal berries, fresh squeezed lime juice all topped with cranberry lemonade, sassy and sweet at the same time! To munch while you imbibe, the bar menu here offers a variety of appetizers and small bites such as Flash Fried Calamari; lightly fried calamari pieces served with an herbed yellow tomato dipping sauce or the Ceviche of the Day, citrus cooked seafood, tossed with minced vegetables, chilies and lime juice. BLT Sliders with mayo, peppercorn bacon, fried tomato, micro greens and a hot honey garlic aioli satisfies the land lovers. The Crab Cakes are pan sautéed fresh jumbo lump crab meat and served over a cilantro slaw with a jalapeno lime aioli. The Peppercorn Seared Tuna is flash seared yellowfin tuna sliced thin, served atop taro chips, spicy avocado sauce, pickled ginger and slaw. Entrees such as the Pan Seared Local Fluke; sautéed fresh fluke with rosemary, lemon, Calabrian chili, a touch of butter and white wine served over a bed of fresh seasonal vegetables is cooked to perfection and the Crispy Skinned Salmon; organic salmon pan seared served with Korean style Kim-chi, garlic mashed potatoes, herbed ginger foam and black pepper is creative and consistently tasty… and of course, those ever popular Canadian hard-shell lobsters; steamed or stuffed! Filet mignon; a center cut 8 ounce filet or a classic au poivre N.Y. Strip Steak; 14 oz. grass fed, aged sirloin topped with crispy shiitake mushrooms, finished with a port wine glaze, served with pommes frites and ginger honey roasted Brussels sprouts refuse to slouch, keeping up with the seafood menu favorites, never breaking a sweat.
