June is a great month to visit The Hamptons, especially during the week. It’s not overrun, you can get dinner reservations practically everywhere and the weather is not yet scorching like it is now in the City. So we took a week-long vacation using Sag Harbor as our base and had the pleasure of trying new savory snacks for the first time, revisited old favorites for some tried and true tastebud terrificness, and indulged with a few sweet surprises.
Our first dinner was at the relatively new Sag Harbor Tavern, occupying the American Legion space on Bay Street. Owned by the famous Red Hook Tavern shopkeepers, this seaside spot offers the same super juicy Cheeseburger their OG Brooklyn blockbuster boasts. Unlike the current smashburger craze, this burger bucks trendiness with a thicker than you’d expect Dry-Aged patty topped by good ol’ American cheese and a generous few rings of white onion. The Cottage Fries and a good pickle complete the plate and ketchup is offered as a welcome side dipper. Michael took one bite and proclaimed it to be the best burger he’s ever had in his life! Cheers to that.
The desserts here are too incredible for words. The creamy dreamy Fior di Latte Gelato Sundae comes with a pool of homemade hot fudge plus a scoop top drizzle and toasted candied pecans. The super fresh Rainbow Cookies are made in Brooklyn by one of the Tavern bartenders daily and brought Harbor side for their Long Island diners. Both were outstanding. It was a pleasure to walk the town after this generous meal.
Nothing says Hamptons haul better than a trip to Round Swamp Farm where a small bag of groceries can set you back a few hundred dollars. Yikes. But in fairness, their prepared foods, local produce and bakery items completely rock.
The lineholders at the door primed for the opening bell rush in to scoop up all they can carry! It’s competitive shopping with brazen blue baskets. Present company included. I indulged in a $16 quart of some of the most beautiful, sweet and juicy strawberries I’d ever seen, a box of huge ruby colored cherries, a heavy container of their super crunchy famous Chicken Fingers– which in my opinion need no dipping sauce at all, and the obligatory half pound of completely addictive Chicken Salad (stock photo included because we inhaled it during an immediate car picnic!).
I did also nab my all time favorite RSF snack, their ludicrously decadent Kung Pow Chips. One square probably set me back 1000 calories of deep fried spicy goodness– but it was well worth the once a year caloriefest. All in, these lunchables lasted a few days and I’m happy to say that we got our moneys worth as we painstakingly finished each expensive bite.
For breakfast later in the week we were excited to check out the remodeled Sagaponack General Store and were blown away by the gorgeous and inviting interior, inclusive candy selections, impressive marinades, mayos, sauces and salts, and the takeout sandos.
But the best item by far was the Original Breakfast Biscuit with a thick, fluffy layer of perfectly scrambled eggs and serious square of melted cheese. Not usually a fan of biscuits in general, I fell in love at first bite with the most delicious breakfast sandwich I have ever had. The biscuit was light, flaky, slightly sweet, savory too and the perfect bookend to house the traditional egg and cheese combo. I’m still thinking about it and will definitely circle back on our next visit. Wow.
While the week was fun, our weather wasn’t ideal, so we spent one day trolling the shops in Amagansett. And yes, of course we popped into Il Buco Vita to pick up an afternoon snack. We selected their wonderfully seasonal Strawberry Danish and their incredible scone-like textured Chocolate Chip Cookie with big flakes of sea salt on top. Michael devoured the danish and I couldn’t get over how good this cookie was!
I did manage to score reservations at the coveted Arthur & Sons in Bridgehampton for dinner. We started with the very garlicky Ceasar Salad that was great with big crunchy croutons and tons of snow like cheese. A single order could feed a whole table but salad lovers like us had no problem polishing off the entire dish ourselves. Known for their Chicken Parm, I hate to say that not only was I not impressed by the ladled with too much sauce and not melted enough cheese platter, the gigantic cutlets were sad and soggy. I actually sent my chicken back and did not order an alternate. Their slogan is “Chicken Parm Pays The Bills.” I think not.
But I did go absolutely crazy for their freshly piped housemade Cannolis with the most perfect sweet ricotta cream filling scattered with mini chocolate chips. This is what redemption looks like, friends. Good save, Arthur.
Another overcast day pushed us right into Big Olaf’s in Sag for a slurptastic afternoon sippable. Their shakes just hit different and their house chocolate is a summertime fave.
Our last day was picturesque with a trip to Shelter Island and visit to the infamous Marie Eiffel Market where we shared a gorgeous Peach Tarte Tatin made with tree ripe peaches strategically positioned on a flaky, buttery layered pastry bottom. It was gooey sweet summery bliss.
On the drive home we made a stop in Bellport to visit the newly opened store The Salting that features unique pieces for men and women. We loved the uber stylish owners who keep their design studio on site and we each scored a fab new wardrobe addition. Michael got a cool pair of drawstring linen striped shorts and I picked up a chic hat with an orange printed scarf wrap accent. Ooh la la.
jenslittleblackbook.com 