Foodstuffs: Distilling Expansion, Reopenings and New Eateries

Ageworthy Rosé Wine Dinner at Nick & Toni’s

Nick & Toni’s in East Hampton will host a special wine pairing dinner on Thursday, June 8, beginning at 6:30 p.m. “Ageworthy Rosé” will feature a six-course menu crafted by executive chef Joseph Realmuto and pastry chef Kelsey Roden, paired with pre-2022 release rosé wines selected by beverage director Chimene Macnaughton. The cost is $200 per person, plus tax and gratuity, for the six-course dinner including multiple side-by-side wine pairings. Wines are extremely limited, coming from cellars and the participating wineries directly, but remaining available bottles will be eligible for preorder with special pricing directly through Jacques Franey of Domaine Franey on the night of the event.

“What makes a wine ‘age worthy’?” asks Macnaughton. “What happens when we consider pinks of every hue through this more serious, thoughtful lens? Before we dive into beach weather and ‘summer water’ rosé season in earnest, we’ll tour the world’s finest wine regions in search of indigenous and international grape varieties, left pink on purpose.

“Please join us Thursday, June 8th — our final pairing evening til fall — as we traipse right past the bounds of Côtes de Provence to explore the versatile and vinous world of ‘Ageworthy Rosé.’ We’ve added an extra course and more wines paired side-by-side to pack the night with a-ha moments of discovery. These are wines we’ve cellared back to 2015 releases, the only bottles left in the U.S.A.”

Nick & Toni’s is at 136 North Main Street, East Hampton. For details, call 631-324-3550 or visit nickandtonis.com.

Montauk Distilling Co. Expands to Rhode Island and New Jersey

Montauk Distilling Co. is expanding into Rhode Island with McLaughlin & Moran, Inc., and New Jersey with Shore Point Distributors. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the company as it continues to grow its presence in the United States.

Montauk Distilling Co. has seen significant growth in recent years. The company has received numerous product accolades, including winning Silver and Bronze Medals at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition for its 71st Regiment Gin and 108 Tunney Cask Strength Bourbon. Montauk also won a Double Gold status at the 2020 SIP Awards for the Bellamy Spiced Rum and multiple SIP Awards in 2019, including Double Gold status for the 71st Regiment Gin, Gold for Black Sail Rum, and the Consumer Choice Award for 71st Regiment Gin, which honors brands that demonstrate the ultimate in quality year after year.

“We are thrilled to bring our premium spirits to customers in both Rhode Island and New Jersey and are honored to have won recognition at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition,” said Tom Joyce, CEO and co-founder of Montauk Distilling Co. “Our team has worked hard to create high-quality products that we know people will enjoy, and we’re excited to share them with a new audience.”

With the expansion, customers in Rhode Island and New Jersey will now have access to Montauk Distilling Co.’s full range of award-winning spirits, including its signature Black Sail Rum, Bellamy Spiced Rum, Tunney Bourbon, Modico Vodka, 71st Regiment Gin and more.

Founded in 2018 by three lifelong friends, Montauk Distilling Co. produces small-batch, handcrafted spirits using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. It is committed to producing high-quality, artisanal spirits that celebrate the unique character of the East End. Montauk Distilling Co. is a leading producer of premium spirits, including its award-winning Montauk Rum and Montauk Vodka, both of which have garnered acclaim for exceptional quality and taste. For more information about Montauk Distilling Co. and its products visit montaukdistillingco.com.

Two New Eateries in Montauk

Over Memorial Day weekend, the team behind Maison Close SoHo is opening Maison Close Montauk and Talya, two unique restaurant concepts in Montauk. Inspired by the East End beaches, the French Riviera and the Mediterranean, Maison Close Montauk and Talya will offer distinctive dining experiences through thoughtful cuisine, elevated beverages, and chic vibes that breathe new life into the storied properties they occupy.

Blending the most iconic aspects of New York and French culture, Maison Close Montauk transports the lively vibe dining experience that originated in SoHo to the East End. The new al fresco atmosphere features dock and dine slips for boaters and a luxurious outdoor area for guests to soak up the sun and unwind into the evening. Helmed by executive chef Geoffrey Lechantoux, the waterfront bistro offers a menu of sophisticated yet accessible dishes that will transport diners to St. Tropez including croissant au homard du Maine, pêche du jour, sole meuniere and cocktails such as La Maison Rose (tequila, elderflower liqueur, papaya, lime juice, rosé wine) and La Prunette (spritz with Ume plum liqueur, ginger ale, champagne, garnished with red plum and candied ginger).

Newcomer Talya at Ruschmeyers Hotel will delight diners with a Mediterranean flair inspired by the Greek islands. Guests can enjoy fresh, locally sourced ingredients for a coastal getaway by day or transition their evenings to the stylish outdoor area for late-night lounging. Menu items include heirloom cauliflower salad, grilled octopus salad, lamb lollipops and cocktails such as Katsikísio Gála (mezcal, ouzo liqueur, fresh goat cheese, raw local honey, thyme infusion, lemon juice), and Áspro sangria (ouzo liqueur, white wine, apricot brandy, mint leaves, citrus, cherries).

Both restaurants will be open for dinner and weekend brunch from Wednesday to Sunday. Maison Close Montauk is located at 435 East Lake Drive in Montauk and will be open for dinner Wednesday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Brunch service will be weekends from 1 to 6 p.m. For reservations, visit maisoncloserestaurant.com. Tayla, located in the Ruschmeyers Hotel at 161 2nd House Road, Montauk, will be open for dinner Wednesday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. with lounge availability from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Weekend brunch will be available from 1 to 6 p.m. For reservations, visit talyarestaurant.com.

El Turco Hamptons Returns for Its Encore

El Turco Hamptons is returning to its Three Mile Harbor Road location in East Hampton for a trailblazing second season in the sun. The delightful culinary experience returns with superstar executive chef Yılmaz Güney set to showcase exquisite tastes from Turkey along with an expanded Mediterranean menu featuring some of the most unique and delectable dishes available anywhere on the East End.

Presenting an array of inspirational gourmet selections which tantalize the senses and captivate diners, guests can expect to see an expanded presentation that brings back last season’s notable Turkish favorites as well as many new scrumptious Mediterranean offerings, all featuring farm to table aspects. When dining at El Turco Hamptons, guests will enjoy many locally sourced ingredients including fresh fish and seasonal vegetables that are crafted in groundbreaking ways and take one’s taste buds on an unforgettable culinary journey.

El Turco Hamptons highlights include shareables like Diyarbakir Usulu Kavurma (lamb served with rice pilaf, cacik, and mixed pickled vegetables) and Kuzu Incik (lamb shank served with rice pilaf, grilled vegetables). The mezes menu always stands out as a crowd favorite with offerings like traditional hummus (homemade daily and served with paprika oil and pepper), cacik (shredded cucumber, fresh dill, and mint in garlic yogurt), sarma (grape leaves stuffed with rice, currant and spices) and roasted beet hummus (with lemon, coriander, garlic, and cumin).

Traditional main entrees include frequently ordered items like the El Turco kebab (meatball wrapped in filo dough, charred eggplant with yogurt and garlic), chicken skewers Antep style (chicken marinated with tomato and pepper paste and served with grilled tomato and pepper), and fish kebab (fresh market fish skewered with seasonal vegetables).

Chef Güney proudly curates these selections that embrace his background that blossomed as a child growing up in Istanbul. Ultimately becoming an award-winning culinary leader in the United States, he decided to bring his immense skills to assist El Turco in Miami where soon after his arrival he was awarded a coveted Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2022. These combined skills and accolades also apply to the newest sister company, Chef Meze Catering & Events. Together the institutions are quickly establishing themselves as premiere culinary companies on the East End.

El Turco Hamptons is at 44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton. To book a table, reserve at elturcohamptons.com.

Duryea’s Montauk Opens for the Season

Duryea’s Montauk has reopened for the 2023 season. Featuring outdoor waterfront dining, the restaurant offers a charming, rustic and nautical atmosphere on the large waterfront deck with incredible sunsets. Menu offerings range from signature items such as grilled or steamed lobster, lobster roll, Duryea’s lobster cobb salad and locally caught fish to creative items such as whole grilled octopus with olives and green romesco, mussels mariniere and skirt steak simply grilled and seasoned.

The raw bar selection is wide and highlights local shellfish such as Montauk Pearl oysters, Peconic Gold oysters, little neck clams and chilled lobster with additional shellfish delicacies such as king crab and snow crab claw. Seafood platters are a table pleaser serving from one to four people in a dramatic tabletop tower. Many items on the menu are served family style and a kids section keeps the little ones happy with choices such as cheeseburger, grilled cheese and chicken fingers and fries. A wine and beer menu is available with champagne, rose, red and white selections. Reservations are not accepted; this is a first come first serve restaurant. Duryea’s Montauk is at 65 Tuthill Road and will be open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday and noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday through Memorial Day weekend after which the restaurant will be open seven days.

Duryea’s Market is also back this season offering local artisanal products, coffee and breakfast goods. Duryea’s Market is at 61 Tuthill Road and will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Torch & Crown Joins Best Pizza & Dive Bar

Torch & Crown Brewing Company, Manhattan’s only fully-functioning brewery, is making its way to Montauk for the first time this summer. Setting up in the legendary Best Pizza & Dive Bar on the Napeague Stretch, Torch & Crown Montauk is sure to be a surfer and beach lover’s paradise. Set to debut Memorial Day weekend and staying through Labor Day, the new summer hot spot will provide city-goers with an essential weekend escape for friends and family.

On the heels of its recent opening at the historic Union Square Pavilion, Torch & Crown Montauk will be located steps from the beach and just down the road from the iconic Surf Lodge. The new location will feature a variety of hand-crafted drafts that pair perfectly with Best Pizza & Dive Bar’s specialty pies, including brand-favorite Almost Famous, a smooth, bright, aromatic hazy IPA packed with peach and grapefruit notes, and the summer seasonal Share House, an easy-drinking crisp ale made for summers out east. The surfer-themed beer garden will also feature a rotating list of live bands and DJs every weekend.

Growing up in the New York City area, Torch & Crown founders Joe Correia and John Dantzler didn’t always want to open a brewery. But one night at age 16, fate struck — both tragically had their fake IDs confiscated at a bar in the East Village. Left with no way to buy beer, the two decided they’d make it themselves.

The first batch started with a Mr. Beer homebrew kit, two guys who hadn’t quite read the instructions, and Dantzler’s mom coming home to find that kit exploding all over her kitchen. Despite both being grounded for a month, their resolve was undeterred, and the two kept at it. By the time high school graduation rolled around, the pair were winning some modest homebrew awards (which they had to send their dads to accept), and a passion had fully been born. On a trip to Ireland, the friends formally decided (over a toast of a pint of Guinness) that one day, they’d open their own brewery centered around their love of three things: great beer, ambitious creations and the amazing city of New York.

After 10 years, thousands of trial batches, and a few more boil-overs, John and Joe have reunited to create Torch & Crown Brewing Company.

Best Pizza & Dive Bar is at 2095 Montauk Highway, Amagansett. For more information, visit divebarpizza.com/menu.

Rita Cantina Returns for Season Three

Rita Cantina in Springs returns for its third summer season, not only with a newly refreshed menu, but also with weekend brunch starting Memorial Day Weekend. Executive chef and co-owner Eric Miller is back at the kitchen helm, and beverage director and co-owner Adam Miller has been hard at work perfecting the bar program with head bartender and La Factoria vet Diego Rivera.

With new dishes like ancho rubbed lamb shank tacos, grilled octopus tostadas, herb crusted tuna, and the launch of Rita’s innovative beverages like the Pina Coco Margarita and Guava Cava Paloma (crafted with modern clarification and carbonation techniques), Rita Cantina has something for everyone. As for weekend brunch, guests can enjoy Mexican-inspired favorites like masa pancakes, chilaquiles, the Rita breakfast burrito and a churro waffle inspired by a fan-favorite dessert.

“As we embark on our third season with great anticipation, we are delighted to welcome our returning guests, and introduce new visitors to our Springs eatery,” says Eric Miller, who continues building on his deep relationships with independent local fishermen and farmers, like Satur Farms, Multi Aquaculture System, and Gosman’s Dock, guaranteeing the kitchen access to the freshest ingredients. “We have spent the off-season carefully refining our classic dishes while introducing exciting new elements to innovate and elevate the dining experience. We are confident we have put our best foot forward for Summer 2023.”

Rita Cantina is located at 28 Maidstone Park Road, East Hampton. The restaurant serves dinner Wednesday to Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m., (open to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday). Starting June 26, Rita will be open seven days a week. The space offers Daily Happy Hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with $1 oysters and $10 margaritas. Rita Cantina is now serving weekend brunch from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Memorial Day Weekend and ending Labor Day Weekend. Reservations are available ag ritacantinahamptons.com, on Resy or via phone at 631-329-3663.

Karaoke at Almond

Almond Restaurant and Bar will shift their world-famous karaoke night to Thursday starting May 25. Every Thursday starting at 9:30 p.m. patrons are welcome to choose their favorite tune to belt out. Hosted by DJ Carlos Lama, Karaoke Thursday will run until midnight each Saturday.

Almond Restaurant is at 1 Ocean Road in Bridgehampton. For more information, visit almondrestaurant.com.

Crash Cantina Margaritas

Crash Cantina, The Inn Spot’s casual Latin American-inspired restaurant in Hampton Bays, is offering $10 house-made margaritas all day long, all summer long. With an expansive list of tequila and mezcal varieties, and a margarita menu featuring a Spicy Watermelon Margarita and a sweet Passion Fruit Margarita, Crash Cantina makes for the perfect spot to grab a drink after a long day in the surf. The restaurant is located directly on the water and boasts stunning sunset views, making it the best destination to enjoy all day long happy hour.

The quintessential Hamptons dining spot also offers nontraditional tacos and dishes, such as duck confit nachos, tempura fluke tacos, the signature Crash rice bowl, local oysters and Montauk fluke ceviche, each bursting with flavor. Crash Cantina is at 32 Lighthouse Road, Hampton Bays. For details, visit theinnspot.com/crashcantina.

Pop Up Dinner Party

pastaRAMEN is coming to the East End for a special dinner party series. The speakeasy-style experience from Montclair Hospitality Group just hit Kinhouse in SoHo following sold out dinners in Seattle, Jersey City, Miami and Los Angeles. Those pop-up dinners were so successful that pastaRAMEN opened its first permanent restaurant location earlier this year in Montclair, New Jersey, which is completely sold out till July.

Kissaki owner Garry Kanfer struck a deal with Montclair Hospitality Group’s founder Luck Sarabhayavanija and CEO Joey Simons to bring this one-of-a-kind dining experience to the private omakase room at Kissaki in Water Mill from June 26 until August 28.

pastaRAMEN’s James Beard nominated Executive Chef Robbie Felice is known for his irresistible Wafu (Japanese Inspired) Italian and will serve up an eight-course, $250 per person dinner with standout dishes like truffle porcini ramen, mochi ramen and Kaluga caviar and in-house dry-aged Japanese A5 Wagyu.

Twelve-person seatings will be offered on Sunday and Monday nights at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Wine and sake pairings will also be available for an added cost. Reservations will be offered via Resy and more information can be found by visiting pastaramen.com.

Kissaki is located at 670 Montauk Highway in Water Mill.