Sneak peek: Long Island restaurants coming this summer
Camp Rubirosa becomes annual summer tradition in East Hampton. Credit: Camp Rubirosa
As Long Island thaws from the snowy, frigid winter, eyes are turning to warmer days on the East End, where early word of new restaurants opening for summer is already out.
From the new 5,000-square-foot Citarella coming to Westhampton, to Claudio’s replacing last year’s Charlie Boy and Common Country East concepts with new pop-ups in Greenport, to the owners of Amagansett’s Clam Bar taking over The Corner in Sag Harbor, we have all the early details:
NORTH FORK
Greenport
Claudio’s Waterfront, the venerable seaside seafood spot, will open for the season April 24-25. The Bloody Marys are ready; lunch service starts at 11 a.m. weekends only until the weather allows full-time hours. Last summer’s pop-ups, Charlie Boy and Common Country East, will be replaced by new concepts that will launch in time for Memorial Day. More info: 631-477-0627, claudios.com
Brothers Joseph and Patrick Donagher, and Patrick’s wife, Roz, are taking over Greenport’s longstanding waterfront watering hole, Porto Bello, and transforming it into Smuggler’s Cove. Dine inside at the bar or in the dining room, or outside on the patio or on the new rooftop deck. (May) More info: 1410 Manhanset Ave.
SOUTH FORK
Westhampton Beach
A culinary renaissance of sorts includes a handful of destination-worthy additions. To start your day, there’s none other than Pop-Up Bagels, which touches down this season, bringing with it its fresh combination of hot, crusty bagels and trendy, flavored cream cheese collabs. (Early summer) More info: 130 Main St., popupbagels.com
For lunch, Taqueria Mexica, the cult truck from Shirley, is taking over the old Crispy Tacos Co. (May) More info: 77 Main St., Instagram: @mexicataqueria
Citarella, the East End's highest-end grocer, is opening on Montauk Highway. At 5,000 square feet, the store is a bit smaller than the others in the Hamptons, but will stock the same assortment of fresh fish, meat, produce, baked goods and beach-ready prepared foods. (May) More info: 141 Montauk Hwy., citarella.com
Locals are already celebrating the launch of Kadoya (210 Mill Rd., 631-288-5096), a new sushi spot from the owners of Suki Zuki in Water Mill that replaced Sushi 1, while thirsty night owls will be able to head to Westhampton Beach Brew & Grill, the third venue from Westhampton Beach Brewing, which will take over Daphne’s. (April). More info: 115 Main St., whbbrewing.com.
Water Mill
Fans of Huntington and Rockville Centre’s boisterous Italian duo should know: The Ivy is popping up in Water Mill and bringing its festive Italian food with it. With indoor and outdoor vibes, celebrity DJs and artists, it is shaping up to be a rollicking good time. (Mid-May). More info: 755 Montauk Hwy. ivykitchenandbar.com
Sag Harbor
Husband-and-wife duo John and Kelly Piccinnini, have taken the helm at the former Corner Bar, Sag Harbor’s iconic spot at 1 Main St., now called The Corner in a nod to the space’s storied past. Also nostalgic is the menu, which will continue to serve fan favorites like a signature burger and fish and chips alongside more modern comfort food. As before, taps will highlight local favorites like Kidd Squid, Springs Brewery and Montauk Brewing Company. (Mid-June) More info: The Corner, 1 Main St., Sag Harbor
In a truly local story, third-generation Sag Harbor resident Michael Nolan will open Miracle, a year-round restaurant taking over the former Vin Sur Vingt space. Chef Jesus Gonzales, also behind Nolan’s Fresno in East Hampton, has created a menu of casual food focused on seasonality. (Early May) More info: 29 Main St., Sag Harbor
Taking over the former Nikki's Not Dog Stand space, which once sold vegan hot dogs, comes Babe’s, which bills itself as "a finer diner” from husband-and-wife team Julian Cavin and Martine Langatta, alongside partner and music executive Jonny Shipes. Babe’s will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving everything from breakfast sandwiches to cheeseburgers, pancakes to tuna melts, and club sandwiches to Greek salads. Additionally, Babe’s will host a Sag Harbor Supper Club that will feature visiting chefs, including Eric Huang, of Pecking House, on Memorial Day weekend and PJ Monte, of Monte’s Fine Foods, on May 24. Reserve on Resy. (Mid-May). More info: Babe’s, 51 Division St., Sag Harbor
East Hampton
The East Hampton Bar Car may be the most anticipated arrival for this season and beyond. Located within the East Hampton train station, it will be a cafe by day, wine bar by night. The building, which dates back to 1895, was renovated in 2018, and will see a new build-out that includes a service counter, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Current plans have it as a seasonal spot with plans for year-round in latter phases. The menu will include both eat-in and grab and go options for commuters. (Opening TBD) More info: Railroad Avenue, East Hampton.
After a sold-out debut season last year, Camp Rubirosa, which is sponsored by Resy, will return to East Hampton this summer. With its Mulberry Street roots, the former home of The Laundry turned into a family affair boasting large al fresco tables anchored by a freestanding brick fireplace that opened onto a faux piazza, where summer camp and Italian food collided. Co-founders Maria Pappalardo and Brian Bedol created Camp Rubirosa as a one-off summer pop-up, but now, like the true spirit of camp, they can’t wait to welcome everyone back year after year. (May 15) More info: Camp Rubirosa, 31 Race Lane, East Hampton, camprubirosa.com
Also in East Hampton, Alex Rossi and the team behind Springs Tavern and Grill will debut Lion’s Nook Bar and Grill in the former O’Malley’s and Rowdy Hall space in East Hampton village. Honoring Lion Gardiner, one of East Hampton’s earliest English settlers, the pub will offer American cuisine like fresh local fish, meat and produce, as well as burgers. It will be open year-round for dinner, with plans to introduce brunch and lunch in the future. (Early June). More info: Lion’s Nook Bar, 10 Main St. (in the Parrish Mews), East Hampton.
Amagansett
Opened this past fall, Sett Coffee in Amagansett became the latest cafe to set — get it? — down year-round beach roots. Owned by John and Kelly Piccinnini, the team behind nearby Clam Bar, a beloved roadside seafood shack, Sett Coffee focuses on high quality coffee from Brooklyn roaster Parlor Coffee, with its core bean a Mexican and Brazilian blend. There's also matcha, fresh-baked pastries, and a selection of grab and go items. Signature favorites feature the Butterfly Pea Latte — naturally blue with a touch of vanilla — the Lavender Latte, floral and gently sweet, and the Matcha Latte, an earthy, well-balanced crowd pleaser. (Open) More info: Sett Coffee, 136 Main St., Amagansett, 631-256-7831, settcoffee.com
What goes better with coffee than some bread and jam? Lucky for far East Enders there’s now a dedicated jam store in the village, right on Main Street, cleverly called Jamagansett. Using local produce, and made with love in Amagansett, the store will offer a full lineup of small-batch jams, freshly made jam-filled pastries and a selection of home goods and related items. (May) More info: Jamagansett, 136 Main St., Amagansett, jamagansett.com
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
