By Ashley Hoffman
Now that you’ve secured your shelter, it’s time to eat in a place where the haute eating season eventually ends. We surveyed the best new restaurants, from big-ticket expansions to casual hangouts, setting up in a local culinary scene with a deeply treasured artisanal bend and a love for the the South Fork.
Page at 63 Main
The vibe at this white tablecloth newcomer named for whaler Captain George Page is decidedly nautical and you sense Page’s presence from the whaling masts on display in the historic building. But for all the old East End charm, Chef Jesse Flores, an East Hampton native, runs a quietly modern and ambitious kitchen with small plates like Asian steamed buns dusted with smoked coconut, and pillowy ravioli made by hand and stuffed with black beans. Mains like pork tenderloin with potato leek hash and short braised monkfish steak with chanterelle and oyster mushrooms run $25-$35. Light desserts like the tres leches cake with whipped cream and pineapple salsa or the sorbet trio give you a convenient reason to draw out the night. Lunch is limited to three choices, but Page more than compensates with a meaty lobster roll, and a multi-layered burger that doesn’t skimp on the ingredients. At the recess of the spot, there’s a quick-service café serving up organic juices, smoothies and pastries if you need a shopping break and you’re on an unfortunate health kick.
63 Main Street
Sag Harbor, New York
631-725-1810
South Edison
After torturing you with the dependency-inducing tacos at the Yorkville Taqueria Cascabel, chef Todd Mitgang produces a seafood-heavy menu with elegant flourishes in boisterous beach shack surrounds where ultra-local is gospel. Pass through French doors and you’ll see the glistening, extensive raw bar. The raw fish and seafood comes from docks from a mile away and is fashioned into dishes like chili marinated shrimp salad with grilled rice, fried belly clams with stone ground crust and draped with bacon fat aioli. Mitgang’s funny riffs like cherry cola braised pork belly with cherries, a lobster roll spiked with black garlic mayo, and porgy a la plancha with roasted fennel and apple fill you up, and you’ll be grateful he’s doing pork tacos. If you have room, there’s carrot cake cupcakes cut with candied ginger and cream cheese icing, and the cocktails are expertly crafted.
17 South Edison St
Montauk, NY
631-668-4200
www.southedison.com
Almond
After building its audience with reliable bistro classics and highly visible locale on Montauk Highway, Almond moves to downtown Bridgehampton. Even though it didn’t work in Manhattan, it is a welcome thing apart from the town’s Cobb and Caprese salads. If you have to, wait at the hand-carved back bar to nab a sidewalk table. Thanks to a longstanding tight farmer connection, seasonal produce makes its way into favorites like roast chicken with hand crushed potatoes, steamed black mussels with shallots, croque gratin sandwiches and the irresistible hamburger and macaroni.
1 Ocean Road
Bridgehampton, NY
phone not yet available
www.Almondrestaurant.com
Harbor Grill
The perfectly conceived Harbor Grill offers up cozy, moderately priced meals for families. The restaurant spreads out among two breezy rooms with hardwood floors and serves up casual American fare like Mongolian BBQ chicken wings, BLT blue cheese salad, and a staggering grill burger and sandwich bar. There’s steak thumbits of grilled flank steak, fish and chips and competition for your matriarch with Yo Mama’s Meatloaf. Desserts like the chocolate chip cookie sundae top out at $5 and there’s a list of signature milkshakes. The kid’s menu of chicken fingers and pasta are worth stealing from your child for.
367 Three Mile Harbor Road
East Hampton, NY
631-604-5290
web site not yet available
A Lure
Run here for the insane view of the barrier beach bird sanctuary through huge bay windows. This waterfront seafood-chowder house is hyper-local, and the entire wine list is Long Island bottles. The beers are from Blue Point, Greenport and Fire Island. The chef raids nearby farms for fruits and veggies that star in the dishes and even the cocktails. There’s wrap-around deck seating for 100 and live music.
62300 Main Road
Southold, NY
631-876-5300
www.alurenorthfork.com
