(Long Island, NY) Who doesn’t love a good deal, I certainly do darlings! Hamptons Restaurant Week offers a fabulous bargain to all connoisseur lovers out there looking for upscale dining at an incredible price. On the East End of Long Island Hamptons Restaurant week is a celebrated annual event featuring promotional prix fix dinners offered by special participating restaurants. In addition to restaurants offering a week of delicious dining there are deals on discounted lodging, local wine, retail outlets and transportation. This year Hamptons Restaurant Week kicks off on Sunday March 25 through Sunday, April 1, 2007.
The Hamptons is known for its charming historic towns, vineyards, upscale designer shops, beautiful sandy white beaches, move stars, celebrities and the elegant restaurants they are seen dining in. For one special week before the start of “off season,” Hamptons dining will be available to everyone for discount prices. The details darlings is basic: From Sunday to Sunday all restaurants participating offer a 3-course prix fix dinner for $21.95 except Saturday when it will be offered until 7 p.m. only.
I decided to explore and find a few upscale eateries on my own to dine and enjoy. I came across two in particular that were especially good, Almond Restaurant in Bridgehampton and Pacific East in Amagansett.
Executive Chef Jason Weiner, Cognac Wellerlane and Proprietor Eric Lemonides at Almond Restaurant
Upon arriving at Almond Restaurant (www.almondrestaurant.com) I immediately felt a sense of ease and calmness in this totally unpretentious restaurant. Pressed tin ceilings, soft candlelight, antique mirrors, warm golden walls all add to the pleasant ambiance that accompany this rustic French bistro menu. Childhood friends and co-owners Eric Lemonides and Jason Weiner both who I had a chance to interview expressed their desire to open a Parisian bistro in Bridgehampton, a place for people to feel relaxed and at home and just to enjoy a good hearty meal without any pretense. Proprietor Eric Lemonides greets his patrons at their arrival with the spirit of egalité, libertrté, and fraternité and he is sure to pour you a glass of your favorite wine while Executive Chef Jason is creating a lusty dish for you to enjoy. Some of the wonderful appetizers to try in the beginning just to wet the appetite are the Escargot garlic & Pernod, and Marinated Octopus. For dinner if you are a seafood lover try the Montauk Flounder preserved lemon, garlic chips, bread crumbs is quite good and the Organic Salmon would be another appropriate choice. If meat is your preference you can order the Marinated Hangar Steak.
I was also intrigued by a sensuous restaurant Pacific East in Amagansett. Pacific East is the very best in fine dining. The restaurant draws an upscale sophisticated clientele that have discriminate taste for the very best in pan-Asian cuisine. Tiki torches invite guest immediately at the door. The walls are a blend of textured terracotta mixed in with a hint of turquoise. The tables are adorned with white linen and sparkling wine glasses.
For dinner A-list celebrities dine on luxurious Pacific East roll, a bundle of lobster, caviar, and lemony shiso leaves; extravagantly rich Kobe beef; steamed mussels in a fragrant coconut-curry broth; and colorful, cilantro-crusted fluke. Executive Chef Michael Gastino expressed the restaurant is also famous for their lobster lollipops and its fabulous sushi which Radio Star Howard Stern and girlfriend Beth adore. I also sampled their sushi dish and thought it to be pretty spectacular myself darlings. Pacific East is located at 415 Main Street in Amagansett. For reservations please call 631-267-7770
For more about Hamptons Restaurant Week and participating restaurants please visit www.hamptonsrestaurantweek.com
