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Last week, as we hurried out to use a gift certificate given to my husband in appreciation of his assistant coaching of the PAL football 9-year-olds, we decided to make a quick stop in Water Mill to check out Muse.

I had told my husband about this place and its very cool bar after dining there with friends last year, but we never got the opportunity to go. Now was our chance. As luck would have it—for Muse, not for us—the bar and restaurant were jam-packed to the door on this particular Saturday evening, so we had to pass on it this time.

As we headed to the car, it struck us, as it does from time to time, how many wonderful restaurants there are in Water Mill, making it something of a dining mecca. In our tiny downtown area there are no less than nine restaurants, which is really something when you think about how this particular business district is not of the strolling down Main Street variety. Here’s a rundown on the restaurants in our hamlet:

Let’s start with Muse since we already mentioned it. Muse is in the Citarella shopping center and can be reached at 726-2606. The chef there is known as being very creative and often hosts cooking classes to the public. One reviewer on 27east.com wrote of Muse, “This is the most beautiful bar in the Hamptons. The reef tanks are amazing, the mood is great and the food is spectacular. Chef Matthew dazzles with his unique dishes, all expertly prepared. No wonder the New York Times rated this gem a ‘Very Good!’”

Next door to Muse, is DISH, which is one of those places that you just hear about. You cannot look in the windows, but we hear that a set menu is planned for an evening that is served to a limited number of guests. There is no bar, so you’ve got to bring your own booze. Call 726-0246 for details; we plan to check out this intriguing place sometime soon.

And next to DISH is Foody’s. Its brick oven has us craving those thin-crust pizzas every time we walk through that shopping center. Here, too, the chef is well known for being very generous to the East End community. Call 726-3663 for more information.

Over at the Water Mill Shoppes, Mirko’s, a top restaurant for several decades, is still around the back. Eileen and her husband Mirko have a loyal clientele who dine there regularly, and for many this is the place to go for a special occasion. And, hey, who knows what you’ll find in the parking lot. During the World Series, a 1978 World Series ring was found on the sidewalk, and was subsequently returned to its owner, James Nederlander, a minority owner of the Yankees. For reservations, call 726-0269.

Right on the main drag is Suki Zuki, one of our favorites, although most times for take-out. We were sore about it replacing Megan’s, our beloved hamburger joint, but we’ve gotten over the trauma. We know this number by heart: 726-4600.

There’s also the Number One Chinese Restaurant, take-out only, but you can sit at one of the tables there to eat if you choose. The number is 726-8080.

Hampton Coffee Company is open for breakfast and lunch, and roasts its own beans for delicious coffee. The owner, Jason Belkin and his wife Theresa, are extraordinarily generous when it comes to helping out the community. Call 726-2633.

Robert’s is also on the south side of the highway. Its low key exterior is transformed at holiday time with some of the best decorations in town. It’s a high-end restaurant that gets rave reviews from anyone who’s dined there. Call 726-7171.

And, last only because it’s closed for the winter is Trata, an East End outpost for a popular New York City restaurant. The words of one posting on 27east.com describe it well: “Unbelievably delicious seafood, I’ve never had a bad meal here but it is very expensive. Very European/NYC hip crowd. Lots of guys with perfect tans, untucked shirts and flip-flops. If you’re a local, you will recognize no one (unless of course you’re a cosmetic surgeon).”

So there you have it.