March Madness undeniably brings people together, sweeping across the nation like an unstoppable tidal wave of excitement and unity. Even if you aren’t the biggest basketball fan, chances are you’ve either been suckered into watching a game or been out and about where a game was playing. While many March Madness fans head to their favorite sports bars to enjoy a brewski and shout out a slam dunk, some fans would rather enjoy the hoops hype with a little less madness, and maybe a glass of wine.
Miles away from the nearest college, on the quiet streets of East Hampton, sits Cittanuova, a sophisticated Italian restaurant with a chic and casual-cool atmosphere. America’s Most Beautiful Village may not exude the same madness of college towns around the nation, but Cittanuova aims to bring the spirit of the game to their location, becoming a favorite spot for local sports enthusiasts to enjoy an evening game, away from the hoopla found in other sports bars.
Throughout this great sporting experience, March Madness attracts fans from across the nation for many reasons, especially for the sense of community fans can easily find at a game or local hot spot where the environments foster cheer and friendly competition among foes.
With March Madness games sometimes starting at 1 p.m. and running throughout the rest of the day, not everyone wants to spend the afternoon in loud bars, where fans shout at the television while also spilling a drink or two. Sports bars are also rather dark, leaving you to forget the time of day as you sit absorbed in the game for hours.
Sophistication is Cittanuova’s signature, maintaining a refined atmosphere that welcomes the occasional cheer of a patron but steers away from an overzealous fandom that gets in the way of great conversation and a relaxing experience. Cittanuova’s ability to balance the needs of many patrons is a testament to its strength in appealing to a diverse following.
Cittanuova offers a different sort of March Madness experience for fans, who may want to sip a fine wine rather than chug a beer. Their extensive drink menu includes local, fresh beers, as well as a collection of cocktails such as a Caramello Appletini, Ginger Margarita, and Whiskey Mule. A fan favorite is the Montauk Brewing IPA, accompanied by one of Citta’s cheeseburgers.
Featuring upscale charm, this European-style restaurant is celebrated by locals for being the go-to spot to enjoy March Madness, as well as tennis for patrons who enjoy the racket sport over a little basketball. After a soothing evening including a less-mad sporting experience, patrons could end the night with a sweet treat from Cittanuova’s dessert menu.
Catching one of this year’s games at Cittanuova came without the usual sports bar chaos, providing an air of elegance with an undercurrent of excitement that was noticeable. Both diehard fans and casual observers were able to enjoy the March Madness season this year. The restaurant created an atmosphere that was the perfect blend for all patrons, with evening games enjoyed yet restrained, allowing for both celebrations and conversation.
