Hamptons Happenings

Hamptons Happening: 33rd Annual Fall Festival Returns to Montauk

Hamptons Happening: 33rd Annual Fall Festival Returns to Montauk
Bringing Together Locals and Visitors for a Weekend Full of Family-Oriented Fun

Celebrate the arrival of fall and crisp October weather at Montauk’s 33rd Annual Fall Festival, sponsored by the Montauk Chamber of Commerce. The family-oriented community event takes place on Columbus Day Weekend, Oct 11th and 12th on the Green in the center of downtown Montauk. On Saturday the family-friendly festival kicks off with its Famous Clam Chowder contest at 11AM SHARP, with a variety of unforgettable chowders from local restaurants available “until it runs out” which is usually around 1PM. Food personalities judge and present awards for the best New England and Manhattan chowders. Festival attendees may also participate in this contest by voting in the People’s Choice Award. Winners are announced at 3pm that day on the Chamber’s Facebook page and posted at www.montaukchamber.com.
A spectacular fireworks display by Grucci takes place on Saturday night, Oct 11th at 7PM at Umbrella Beach. A special fireworks tribute is honoring the Montauk Fire Department, celebrating its 75th year.
Both days include many activities for children such as inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, street painting, crab races, pony rides (Sunday), a free 30 horse Carousel and lots more. For adults, there is live music by Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks on Saturday from 2-5 PM, along with raffles, delicious Oktoberfest style food, clams and oysters and Long Island wines and beer. The Montauk Farmers Market is on hand in the tent Saturday and on Sunday on the street. On Sunday, the Festival continues with additional activities under the tent including the annual auction by the Montauk Playhouse and live music by the 3 B’s from 12-3pm. To round off the weekend, the Montauk Chamber’s annual Cash Catch drawing is held at 4:30 PM Sunday with cash prizes up to $20,000 awarded.
For the 2nd year, FREE transportation through Hampton Jitney is provided between Southampton, and all towns in-between to Montauk on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required; call 283-4600. In addition, there is a free continuous bus shuttle loop from the center of town, to the Lighthouse, the Harbor area, the LIRR and back to town. The transportation and shuttle is supported by a grant awarded to the Long Island Wine Council by New York State’s Empire State Development Corp and the I LOVE NEW YORK Division of Tourism.

The Fall Festival is the major annual fundraiser to benefit the Montauk Chamber of Commerce, a not for profit organization – and in turn it donates to organizations such as the Montauk Food Pantry, the July 4th and Fall Fireworks Fund, the Frank Cappozola Scholarship Fund as well as other local not-for-profit organizations. The Carousel Sponsors are 668 The Gig Shack, Ron Sullivan Welding, William R. Homer, Esq., Montauk Blue Hotel, American Credit Card Processing Corp. and Advantage Title. Other sponsors are South Edison Restaurant and Marshall & Sons.

Hamptons Eats: Stirring the Pot: Conversations with Culinary Celebrities

Hamptons Eats: Stirring the Pot: Conversations with Culinary Celebrities, was held at Guild Hall in East Hampton on 3 different Sundays this summer. The third and final event of the series featured Daniel Boulud, internationally renowned French chef and owner of over 16 restaurants, including Daniel in New York City.

The event began with a meet-and-greet brunch with Daniel. Complementary glasses of sparking wine were provided by Cantí Prosecco as well as virgin sangria cocktails by Baì teas and an espresso bar sponsored by Nespresso.
Brunch bites were made by Food Gourmet East Hampton and included salmon and goat cheese crostinis as well as a variety of vegetable frittatas. As food and beverages were enjoyed, Chef Daniel mingled through the crowd, engaging in conversations, and taking photos with fans.

Following brunch was a conversation with the chef in the John Drew theatre hosted by Florence Fabricant, a food writer and columnist who contributes to the New York Times dining section. The interview played out well with interesting questions and smooth transitions. Florence mentioned Daniel’s new book Letter to a Young Chef, available for signing, and touched upon significant points in his life in which Daniel expanded on, taking us through a series of experiences from the beginning of his journey to the present.

A highlight and perhaps most memorable moment, in which the audience reacted with attention and interest, was in his description of how he prefers to cook a striped bass. Bass is currently in-season and also native to these Hamptons waters so the conversation became very relatable to the group. Daniel exclaimed that he would not cook the bass in an oven but over a wide open grill, stuffed with a variety of herbs such as coriander and thyme, and dressed with sliced lemons and a drizzle of olive oil. The fish would sit upon a bed of salt above the fire to help seal in the juices and provide a lovely smoky flavor.

In the last 20 minutes audience members were given the opportunity to ask questions of their own. By the end, Daniel wrapped up the discussion by giving advice to a young aspiring chef on how to start and what to focus on to be successful. Tips included learn basic knife skills, follow cookbooks precisely, get experience in a kitchen working with a good chef, and one we have all heard before; practice.
From beginning to end chef Daniel was charming, humorous, and engaging. He seemed quite down-to-earth for the success he’s acquired and the empire he’s built, and because of this, proved himself quite admirable. Needless to say I have promised my next dinner out in New York to be at Daniel.

2014 Hamptons Designer Showhouse is still Open until Labor Day

2014 Hamptons Designer Showhouse is still Open until Labor Day
There are 2 more weeks left to see the 2014 Hamptons Designer Showhouse…if you are looking for something to do in the Hamptons.
I had the pleasure to tour the 2014 Hamptons Designer Showhouse on the opening day, and I was very pleased. Every room was cohesive with a theme that seemed to be comfort, warm and inviting. I felt the warmth of each room I visited and most of the designers did an extremely wonderful job at making their rooms look like actual people would live in the house. I ran into the lovely and talented designer Libby Langdon, and we chatted about the house and whats new at Libby Langdon Interiors. Congratulations Libby on the Libby Langdon line be picked up by Walmart.

I loved majority of the rooms in this year’s Showhouse, but my favorites were The Great Room, designer: Patrik Lönn Design
The Living Room: Lillian August Furnishings + Design
Bedroom II: Phoebe Howard
Lower level Lounge: Loria Design Group

This is a must see if you live in the Hamptons or if you are visiting the Hamptons this month. The 2014 House was built by Paramount Custom Homes and the 2014 designers were:
Allison Hennessy Design
The Alpha Workshops
Anne Tarasoff Interiors
Bakes and Kropp
Caleb Anderson Design
Ciuffo Cabinetry
Delrose Design Group
Elsa R. Soyars Interiors
Eva Art & Design Inc.
Gil Walsh Interiors
Greg McKenzie Design
Henry & Co Design
India Hicks
Kate Singer Home
Katie Leede and Compan
Lillian August Furnishings + Design
Loria Design Group
Lucille Khornak Photography
Mabley Handler Interior Design
Mancaves
Mark Borghi Fine Art
Mark Humphrey Gallery
Mecox Design Services
Melanie Roy Design, LLC
Patrik Lönn Design
Phoebe Howard
The Rinfret Group
Tobi Fairley & Associates

The 2014 Hampton Designer Showhouse Presented by Traditional Home, Benefiting the Southampton Hospital: located at: 408 Pauls Lane, Bridgehampton, New York
Open Daily Monday-Sunday until September 1st 11am-5pm
Admission is $35 and includes a Journal.
Tickets may be purchased at the door or may be purchased in advance.
No admission 30 minutes before closing.
No strollers, infants, children under 6, or pets are admitted.
House built by Paramount Homes of the Hamptons, Inc.

Hillary Clinton Book-signing in the Hamptons

Hillary Clinton Book-signing in the Hamptons at BookHampton in East Hampton
East Hampton Main Street was Happening in the Hamptons today August 16th, with people from throughout Long Island drove out to the Hamptons for the day to see Hillary Rodham Clinton. The event was held at BookHampton a small book store with 3 locations in the East End, Southampton, East Hamptons & Mattituck. Owner Charline Spektor secured the book signing with Hillary Clinton at the East Hampton location. The Clintons are vacationing in Amagansett this week and this kick off was a huge success, fans and supporters drove from all over to have an opportunity to meet her.

When I arrived at 3pm the line was rapidly growing and I took a moment to speak with Edna Lanier-Dewitt of Miller Place who was the 1st person on-line. Edna told us that it took her an hour to get to East Hampton was on-line since 10am this morning; she was very excited to meet Mrs. Clinton and have her book signed.

Everyone waiting on-line for a signed copy of Hard Choice by Hilary Rodham Clinton pre-paid for the book in advance; and of course there were some who wanted to cut the line, but thankfully they were told they needed to wait in-line as well. The Media Frenzy was out in full force, but Hamptons Mouthpiece and my amazing photographer arrived early and got the premium spot.

Andy Cohen/Bravo & Charline Spektor owner BookHampton

Spotted before the festivities started was Andy Cohen out walking his dog and chatting with Charline, he took a minute to pose for a picture with BookHampton owner Charline Spektor. We also spotted Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook former United States Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.

I am told there were over 1000 people standing in-line waiting to get their book signed, it was crowded and at times seemed chaotic, but the secret service and the local police had it under control. There were men & women of all ages of all ethnic groups standing in-line, everyone was calm, patient and excited to have an opportunity to meet Mrs. Clinton, a woman who could just be the first female President of the United States. There was only one protestor that was not there to give her support to Mrs. Clinton, owner Ruth Vered of Vered Gallery in East Hampton. She was dressed in all black wearing an eye patch protested by holding a sign that said “the worst sec. of state”….

The secret service and the local East Hampton police department were in-sync and worked together to make-sure that the former 1st Lady, Former NYS Senator and Former Secretary of State was protected and safe. It is always fascinating to watch the secret service in-action. Selected and pre-approved members of the Media were cleared to enter BookHampton for photo-opts with Mrs. Clinton signing copies of her book. Mrs. Clinton looked beautiful,relaxed and happy to be there.
I loved how she genuinely interacted with the public as she signed their book, I know she is a seasoned politician but this seemed like anything but politics to me.

Hillary Rodham Clinton, East Hampton, BookHampton

After getting all the pictures I needed, it was time for us to go, we were amazed how the line had grown in 2 hours, it was from the front of BookHampton and went past John Papa’s around the back parking lot in East Hampton. I am told people were still waiting on-line way past 630pm, Wow. What a successful day for BookHampton.

Bookhampton buyers wait to have book signed

photographer: Kurt Leggard, www.photographybykurt.net

Beautiful View, BBQ and Live Music in Sag Harbor

Things are spicing up this summer in Sag Harbor….Everyone can agree that Harlow East…formally known as B’Smith’s Restaurant has the best location in the Harbor, but did you know that they also have a Back Bar? I remember when B’Smith’s first opened the Back Bar was always opened, but as the years went on and staff was limited, this area was only open for private events. This summer Jon Krasner has decided to do something different. He has turned “The Back Bar” into a very relaxed scene in Sag Harbor. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Back Bar has the BBQ for $25 5-10p, on Sunday’s live Music. The scene is relaxed and very different from the front part of Harlow East, both operated and managed by Richard Notar and Notar Hospitality.
Last week Jon invited Hamptons Mouthpiece to stop by to hear the band and taste the BBQ… since the prior week was my birthday and I was very sick and unable to celebrate, I decided to invite some friends to spend an evening listening to some good music and eat some delicious BBQ. What a great time we had.

Back Bar tells me that they will have live music every Sunday…this Sunday come listen to Reggae Lution who will be there again this Sunday, August 10th 7-11pm, If you like Reggae brings some friends and stop by for an afternoon of fun. The vibe is positive, because Reggae music is Happy Music, the BBQ is good and this Sunday the beer is $5 and on the menu: Jerk Cornish Hens, Corn fritters, and Carribean Cole Slaw ;).