Eaters Digest: Brand New East End Eats

Every new restaurant on the East End aims for a Memorial Day opening, but not all succeed. This year it seems like an inordinate amount of spots are popping up after that deadline (or trying to) and will continue to do so through the summer. Here are a few just about to cut the tape or recently have.

La Maison
16 Main St., Sag Harbor
631-899-4609

In the same airy spot near the harbor where JLX Bistro vacated, a pretty bistro from the owners of Trata East in Water Mill and Trata Estiatorio in NYC and Roslyn now stands. It features a raw bar with snow crab and lobster and more raw foods in the form of beef tartare or tuna crudo appetizers. Have some mussels and grilled calamari to share, ahi tuna steak BLT for lunch and more seafood, steaks and bouillabaisse for dinner.

Grana
1556 Main Rd., Jamesport
631-779-2844

Everywhere you look on Long Island there is pizza, pizza, pizza—except on the Twin Forks. This café will go a long way in alleviating the shortage with artesian pizzas that are just the ticket for the pie-starved East End. Pizza enthusiast turned pizzaiolo Dave Plath made pilgrimages around the U.S. and Italy until he found the perfect pie at Pizza Bianco in Phoenix (where I once waited two hours to get in before giving up). He makes the crust and bakes bread for paninis using organic flour and has house-made mozzarella as well. The wait should be less than Pizza Bianco. Scheduled to open July 12.

South Edison
17 S. Edison St., Montauk
631-668-4200

Where Aqua East was and Caswell’s before that, this bright spot, whimsically painted in turquoise and red, has fun stuff on the menu, like jerk roasted duck breast, tuna BLT chalupa, fried belly clams and fluke sashimi right off the boat. Wash it down with craft beers including Abita from Louisiana.

Coming in August?

Southfork Kitchen
203 Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton
The birthing process of this restaurant has received much attention due to the hilarious blog from owner/writer Bruce Buschel.

LT Burger in the Harbor
62 Main St., Sag Harbor
Laurent Tourondel, fresh from his split with the BLT group of restaurants chooses this part of the Hamptons to make his first move. A casual burger spot where Grappa had been.

Bay & Hearth
Port of Egypt Marina
62300 Main Rd., Southold
631-765-8877

Where Seafood Barge was in Port of Egypt Marina, expect a locally sourced menu.

Comtesse Therese Bistro
739 Main Rd., Aquebogue
631-779-2800

At the vineyard of the same name with Chef Arie Pavlou, formerly of Coeur des Vignes.

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