FEATURE STORY

HAMPTONS

La Fin

HAMPTONS

HOW-TO

HERE IS OUR HAUTE GUIDE TO EAST END, A ROUNDUP OF THE NEWEST HOTELS, SHOPS, RESTAURANTS AND ACTIVITIES TO CHECK OUT IN THE HAMPTONS THIS SUMMER.

BY ANETTA NOWOSIELSKA

East Hampton Point

WHERE TO STAY

East Hampton Point, now called EHP Resort & Marina, is post-phase one of its multimillion-dollar transformation. Enjoy accommodations that evoke chic Hampton-esque cottage living, the property’s excellent service and a new Mediterraneaninspired restaurant, Sí Sí. Executive chef Dane Sayles, formerly of Gurney’s Resorts, offers a menu that celebrates seasonal Italian, Spanish, Greek, Moroccan and Turkish dishes. With seating for over 300 both inside and out, EHP hopes to stir similar vibes to that of Moby’s, back when it was based here. Think scene, music and a sunset-hour menu that embraces one of the best views over Three Mile Harbor. The 100-year-old Ram’s Head Inn is not exactly the new kid on the block, but thanks to a revamp courtesy of its new owner, it is the freshest. The famed waterside destination on Shelter Island now boasts a newly whitewashed dining room, 17 guest rooms and beauty and spa services, plus all the historic charm the property has come to be known for. Another development is the all-inclusive Grass Pass, granting guests and visitors access to amenities including beachfront food and beverage services and activities, luxury picnic options, outdoor fitness classes and spa offerings.

WHERE TO EAT

After a difficult year, East End restaurants are buzzing with activity. In East Hampton, Rita Cantina is serving up modern coastal Mexican cuisine under the watchful eye of chef Eric Miller. His menu includes littleneck clams with chorizo and Tecate, seafood ceviche with pomegranate and habanero, and duck carnitas. Tequila and mezcal are the star of the show barside in a dining room showcasing Oaxacan design. Don’t miss the outdoor patio outfitted with white picnic tables, or Rita Cantina’s beach picnic bundles available to go. In Montauk, La Fin Kitchen & Lounge is the the latest culinary addition. Amid great views of Montauk Harbor, chef James Tchinnis delivers his Frenchinspired farm-to-table menu with aplomb. His fluke crudo with blood orange and watermelon radish, lobster toast with charred corn and fresh spaghetti with lump crabmeat are the perfect paring for rosé wine and a refined cocktail menu. In Amagansett, Il Buco al Mare — a collab between chef Justin Smillie and the Il Buco Alimentari team — has taken over a spot on Main Street. Produce- and seafood-centric, it’s a chilled-out version of its original outpost, where ancient-grain focaccia and fare from the wood-burning oven are capped off by a wine list focused on boutique producers. More of a morning eats fan? Be sure to pick up your coffee and pastries from the next-door Il Buco Vita coffee shop. Speaking of seafood, the new waterfront Manna at Lobster Inn in Southampton is going big on sustainability, the result of a partnership between offshore aquaculture pioneer Donna Lanzetta and Sag Harbor restaurateur Ryunosuke Jesse Matsuoka. Think fin fish, mollusks and trout carbonara meticulously executed by chef Thomas Bogia. Love Asian food? Kissaki, the epicenter of Japanese excellence, teams up with Jennifer Saesue, owner of NYC Thai spot Fish Cheeks, for a popup at the Montauk Anglers Club. This fusion will present a mix of Thai highlights from Saesue and Kissaki’s full sushi menu, with sake, beer, wine and cocktails to go. Finally, if dining indoors is the last thing on your mind, CaviAIR club is now delivering its caviar packs and kits in a vintage Land Rover. Bottles of bubbly can be paired with a variety of offerings, priced by the gram.

WHERE TO GET CULTURED

Thanks to Pace, Skarstedt and Hauser & Wirth, the arts enjoyed unprecedented exposure last summer when several city galleries opened out East. To keep that momentum this year, Rashid Johnson is spearheading a group exhibition exploring form and gesture at Hauser & Wirth, while David Hockney‘s illustrations of his home in Normandy will be on view at Pace. At Skarstedt, Enoc Perez will debut new drawings in the form of reflection on social media. And premiering at the Parrish Art Museum in August, Roy Lichtenstein: History in the Making, 1948–1960 will be the first major museum exhibition to investigate the early work of one of the most celebrated American artists of the 20th century.

WHERE TO GET FIT

As quintessential as farm-stand foraging, wellness out East is an essential part of any Hamptons experience. This summer, the new opportunities are boundless. Forward Dance Space offers dance cardio classes at Reform Club and Hero Beach Club (keep an eye out for more activations here, including Well Told Health, NEOM Organics, Athletic Greens, Symbiome and Briogeo). At Topping Rose House, the Ness is now a partner in residence with its bounce and sculpt classes. This workout will join a lineup of classes like barre sculpt flow, cardio boxing and Iyengar yoga, and there are plenty of pop-ups and partnerships on the horizon. Dancebody is headed to the Clubhouse in East Hampton, followed by a residency at Hero Beach Club on Saturdays in July. Equinox x Hamptons marks the expansion of its “high-performance lifestyle” with a new Bridgehampton location. Expect high-end equipment, workouts and classes, some which will take place in the courtyard. And finally, leave it to the local doyenne of fitness to bring it big for the season: Tracy Anderson will debut her Anderson Moto Air Pro Reformer at her East Hampton studio in July. The machine uses air tension in place of the springs or weights common in most Pilates reformers to enhance synaptogenesis, repair mitochondrial damage, design muscles with clear precision, create youthful expression and protect spine and joint health.

WHERE TO SHOP

A new batch of fabulous boutiques delivers big on the wow factor. Karen Murray, owner of the Upper East Side’s Fivestory, has opened up shop on Jobs Lane in Southampton. As in the city location, customers can expect brands like Cara Cara, Muse x Muse, Le Sirenuse, Lug Von Siga and Bathseva. Also in Southampton, Veronica Beard has debuted her first Long Island location, the brand’s largest store to date. That’s to be expected, considering all the ready-to-wear, denim and footwear collections available here. On Main Street, LoveShackFancy has added to its usual lineup of romantic cult-favorite frocks and antique finds procured by founder Rebecca Hessel Cohen, all displayed against the brand’s own wallpaper, which is available for purchase in four prints. In Montauk, Lingua Franca is taking over the shop space at the Crow’s Nest, which makes sense, since owner Rachelle Hruska Macpherson’s husband owns the place. Stitched cashmere pieces, a new pique cotton collection and a hodgepodge of beloved brands like Edie Parker, Into The Woods, Birkenstock, Lemlem, Chufy and Royal Jelly Harlem fills the space with stylish energy. Last but not least, joining Gucci, Tod’s, Manolo Blahnik and Balenciaga in East Hampton, One is a two-story luxury marketplace celebrating makers across such disciplines as fashion, accessories, jewelry and interiors. Be sure to pay attention to the artwork by an up-and-coming selection of NYC artists peppering the space, thanks to a partnership with Artsy. The new sure-to-be-hot Bounce Beach Montauk will offer brunch, lunch and dinner by with James Beard Honoree chef Sean Olnowich and delicious drinks that can be carried out thanks to cocktail pouches for all your “drinks to go” needs (and let’s not forget the promising bar scene on site). Speaking of movable options, be sure to check out the Lobster Roll Take-Out window and Swimsuit Take-Out Bar stocked by Hamptons favorite Solid & Striped. [Less work means more time to enjoy your company.] And now, thanks to Hamptons Aristocrat, you can host a bonfire without lifting a finger. The food and event company has partnered with referral-only concierge service WAND to offer a four-hour event featuring luxury seating by Serena & Lily, Yeti coolers, tiki torches and four menus to pick from. Bonus: You won’t have to worry about the mess — cleanup is part of the package.

Hamptons Aristocrat