For every business that has recently closed in the Hamptons, it seems there are two more cropping up to replace it. There have been some unfortunate losses, but exciting new restaurants, bakeries, bars, and more are popping up in quick succession to take their place.
In Southampton, locals were surprised to hear about the closure of the treasured Ye Olde Bake Shop. However, a new spot, Windmill Lane Bakery & Cafe, is ready to supply residents with all the baked goods they could need. Private chef Andrew Molen leads the new bakery and promises to provide plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians. This is not the only new eatery in the area. Just around the corner, Provisions, a health food restaurant, is positioned perfectly for a stop before heading to the beach. Rumor has it that the same block will soon be home to two upscale boutiques and a hair salon owned by a stylist from New York City. El Verano, an upscale Mexican restaurant, also opened nearby this winter.
Fans of Hen of the Woods will be disappointed to learn that the restaurant has closed, but proprietor Jonathan Bernard is opening a new spot on Hampton Road called Farm & Forage. The market and chef’s pantry will feature local produce and fresh-made dishes from chef Anna Lembo. Health food store Second Nature Markets is also getting a makeover. It is becoming a gourmet Italian market, headed by culinary pros Dane Sayles and Piero Zangarini.
This influx of new businesses and restaurants is not contained to Southampton. In East Hampton, several spots are getting upgrades, like Rowdy Hall, which is being turned into a casual French restaurant called Village Bistro. Rowdy Hall has moved to a new space on Main Street, and Village Bistro will take over the 10 Main Street address. An Indonesian and Balinese pop-up is being introduced in the former home of Buttero. Wayan and Ma-de is an offshoot of Chefs Cedric and Ochi Vongerichten’s Nolita. Park Place is getting some new cuisine as well. The Matsuoka brothers, the visionaries behind Sen Restaurant and Manna at the Lobster Inn, have partnered with David Hart to open Smoky Buns, a casual eatery featuring smash burgers, milkshakes, and ice cream. “One of the best parts of my job is research, so I’ve been tasting dozens of different styles and flavors of ice cream, gelato, and sorbets,” said Jesse Matsuoka.
The historic Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton is under new management, with chef Jorge Espinoza of Scarpetta manning the kitchen. “We are thrilled to become a part of the East Hampton community, right in the heart of the village and to play a humble role as the hospitality steward of the iconic Maidstone Hotel,” said John Meadow, founder and president of LDV Hospitality. Espinoza’s menu has been designed to make visitors feel like they are experiencing summer in Italy. It features dishes like spaghetti alla Nerano with fried zucchini and provolone, and squid ink linguine with crabmeat, uni, Calabrian chile, and lemon.
The plethora of new restaurants will be exciting to any Hamptons visitor this summer, whether they have been vacationing in the area for years, or are a newcomer. With so many thrilling things to do (and taste!) it is no wonder the Hamptons is everyone’s favorite escape from the city.
