Foodstuffs: Sag Harbor Pop-Up, Hamptons Eat Giveaways, Day of the Dead and Wine News

A Sag Harbor Pop-Up

Through the end of October, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito is in residence and at the helm of a pop-up restaurant at Sag Harbor Kitchen on Bay Street. Some highlighted menu items include the SHK seafood tower, bluefin tuna crudo and a seafood pot pie.

“My vision for the Sag Harbor Kitchen pop-up is to bring a really fresh approach to fresh seafood and dining in the Hamptons,” explained DiSpirito. “I’m using trusted local sources for ingredients like Gosman’s for beau soleil oysters, bluefin tuna, East Coast halibut, swordfish, Maine lobster and the fish farm in Amagansett for steamers as well as Norwich Meadows Farm for produce.

“My dishes are simple, but still interesting takes on classic beloved seafood dishes like lobster cocktail, tuna crudo, miso salmon, as well as grilled lobsters with homemade French fries,” he added.

Sag Harbor Kitchen, at 26 Bay Street in Sag Harbor, is open Thursday to Sunday for dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch from noon to 2 p.m. But hurry! The end of October is fast approaching.

Hampton Eats 
Giveaways for October

The new food court hot spot Hampton Eats in East Hampton is celebrating its recent opening with several giveaways. Throughout the month of October, Hampton Eats is welcoming new customers with the following perks: A free cup of coffee, a free donut, a free bagel with cream cheese or butter and 20 percent off all cakes.

Coupons for these giveaways can be found on Hampton Eats social media, Facebook @HamptonEatsEH and Instagram @hamptoneatseh.

Hampton Eats is a food court style business offering products from top local food brands such as Villa Italian Specialties, Stuart’s Seafood Market, Montauk Bake Shoppe, Hamptons Coffee, Eli’s bread and more. Hampton Eats also offers custom cakes, homemade pastries and desserts, boba tea, fresh salads made to order, froyo and fresh squeezed juices and smoothies.

Hampton Eats is located at 74 North Main Street in East Hampton.

Dia de los Muertos

Coche Comedor will honor Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with specials available on Wednesday, November 1, including sopa de pane, wood-roasted turkey and, for dessert, pastel de zanahoria (double layer carrot cake). In addition, Coche Comedor has brought back its Sunday brunch, which is served from noon to 8 p.m. The menu including chilaquiles, huevos en casuela, huevos rancheros, panqueques and chicken enchiladas, along with drinks like the Bloody Maria, La Noche de Anoche, and Carajillo.

Coche Comedor is at 74A Montauk Highway in Amagansett. Call 631-267-5709 or visit cochecomedor.com for details.

Right next door, La Fondita will celebrate Dia de los Muertos with traditional specials available Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, including chicken, pork or cheese tamales and desserts like churros and champurrado.

La Fondita is at 74 Montauk Highway in Amagansett. Call 631-267-8800 or visit lafondita.net for details.

Almond Artists & Writers

Almond continues the “Artists & Writers” fall season on Monday, November 6, at 7 p.m. with a representative from the Peter Matthiessen Center. A three-course family-style meal will be served with one glass of wine or draft beer for $59 including gratuity.

Guided by the legacy of one of America’s most distinguished writers and naturalists, Peter Matthiessen — an early and eloquent advocate for a more socially just, environmentally sound, and spiritually conscious world —the Peter Matthiessen Center seeks to provide a collaborative forum for writers, thinkers and activists in pursuit of innovative solutions to heal our endangered planet. On account of his prodigious contributions to literature, advocacy for the natural world and Indigenous peoples, as well as American Zen during his five decades on the East End of Long Island, we strive to create thoughtful programming — inspiring generations to come.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling the restaurant at 631-537-5665. Almond Restaurant is at 1 Ocean Road, Bridgehampton. Call 631-537-5665 or visit almondrestaurant.com.

Afternoon High Tea

On Thursday, November 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. Cormaria Retreat Center in Sag Harbor hosts a high tea.

Enjoy a welcoming crafted beverage, assorted tea sandwiches and savories, freshly baked scones, and assorted pastries and sweets served with a selection of herbal teas while listening to classical music. Seating is limited and reservations are required with a prepaid $25 donation. There will be no same day walk-in availability. Reservations will open on Friday, October 27, at 9 a.m., by phone at 631-725-4206.

Cormaria Retreat Center is at 77 Bay Street in Sag Harbor.

LICW Welcomes Mark Chien as Inspector

The Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing Program (LISW) announces the appointment of Mark Chien as its new inspector. Chien’s arrival follows the retirement of Allan Connell, who served as the LISW inspector for over 10 years. After an extensive search and thoughtful consideration, Mark Chien joins the organization as the new inspector, effective immediately.

Mark Chien’s career in the wine industry is marked by a rich tapestry of experience and accomplishments: He began his journey in the heart of the North Fork as the inaugural winemaker at Pindar Vineyards from 1983 to 1985. He was its first winemaker and managed the vineyards, demonstrating his holistic approach to wine production.

Chien’s passion for viticulture led him to Oregon, where he spent 14 years managing the vineyards at Temperance Hill Vineyard in Salem. His dedication played a pivotal role in catapulting the region to national prominence, showcasing his commitment to sustainable practices as one of the founders of Oregon Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE).

From 1999 to 2014, Chien served as the Senior Viticulture Extension Educator at Penn State University. During his tenure, he made significant contributions to enhancing the vineyards and wineries of the region, demonstrating his expertise in viticultural education.

In 2014, Chien assumed the role of Program Coordinator at the Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University, where he continued to champion advancements in viticulture until his retirement in 2023.

Mark Chien and his wife, Judith, currently reside in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Despite the geographical distance, he is dedicated to traveling to Long Island to oversee and manage the LISW inspection program, underscoring his commitment to promoting sustainable wine-growing practices in our region.

In the coming days, Chien will personally reach out to each of our members to introduce himself and become acquainted with the community. He will also familiarize himself with inspection protocols to ensure continuity and excellence in the region’s sustainable wine growing program.

The Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing Program is committed to promoting and facilitating sustainable vineyard and winery practices on Long Island, New York. LISW provides guidance, resources, and certification for vineyards and wineries dedicated to environmentally responsible and economically viable grape growing and winemaking.

For details, visit lisustainablewine.org.

Halloween Bashes

Claudio’s Waterfront will be hosting a “Spooktacular Halloween Costume Party” on Saturday, October 28 from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The evening will feature DJ Phil spinning tunes, a costume contest complete with fun prizes and buy one get one peach white claws and $5 drafts of Eastern Front Brew.

Claudio’s Waterfront is at 111 Main Street in Greenport. Call 631-477-0627 or visit claudios.com for details.

On Saturday, October 28, Calissa will conjure up a night of eerie delights with special treats, a spine-tingling live music set from DJ Hugo beginning at 9 p.m. and bewitching decor. Guests are encouraged to arrive in costume and join in the fun with an open bar package priced at $50 that includes house wines, beer, standard spirits and some special cocktails at the bar between 9 and 11 p.m. and a full music of a la carte seasonally special Greek offerings. Calissa is at 1020 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill. For more information or to reserve a table, visit calissahamptons.com/halloween/.

Fall at Bistro Ete

Enjoy Long Island Restaurant Week all fall and winter a Bistro Ete which is offering a $46 three-course prix fixe Thursday and Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. (excluding holidays and holiday weekends). Bistro Ete is also offering Wine Down Wednesday in October and November, with any bottle of wine under $200 from the wine list half price on Wednesday (not offered Thanksgiving eve).

Bistro Ete is located at 760 Montauk Highway, Water Mill. For details, visit bistroete.com or call 631-339-3532.

Kumiso in the Alley

The K Pasa group, consisting of David Hart, Jesse and Tora Matsuoka, and additional investors, has innovatively crafted a novel concept in a new restaurant. Inspired by the vibrant izakaya’s tucked away in Tokyo’s alleys, Kumiso is East Hampton’s first izakaya.

Located at 37 Newtown Lane (down the alleyway by Breezin’ Up), Kumiso is designed as a magical meeting place, where friendships are forged and memories are made.

Kumiso is open seven days a week. Check out the menu at kumiso.com or call 631-527-7926 for more information.

Karaoke Saturday

Almond Restaurant and Bar’s world famous karaoke is back to Saturday nights for the off season. Every Saturday starting at 9 p.m. patrons are welcome to choose their favorite tune to belt out. Hosted by DJ Carlos Lama, Karaoke Saturdays will run until midnight each Saturday.

Almond Restaurant is at 1 Ocean Road, Bridgehampton. Call 631-537-5665 or visit almondrestaurant.com.

Backyard Restaurant at 
Sole East Fall Menu

The Backyard Restaurant at Sole East has launched its new fall fireside menu. Offerings include: butternut squash soup with crisp quinoa, pickled beet and kale salad with goat cheese and spiced walnuts, apple and prosciutto flatbread with crema Di Pecorino and arugula; meat and cheese board with fig jam and spiced walnuts; lamb ragu Paccheri with mint and Parmesan cheese; and grilled swordfish with fennel confit and herb oil.

The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner and for lunch on weekends. Reservations can be made at 631-668-9739 or through Open Table.

The Backyard Restaurant at Solé East is at 90 Second House Road, Montauk.