Foodstuffs: Sips of Summer, Wine Accolades, New Italian Steakhouse and Outstanding in the Field

Take a Sip of Summer

The Express News Group hosts the second installment in its three-part “Sips of Summer” series on Thursday, July 13, with The Next Generation of Craft Beer at Kidd Squid Brewing Company in Sag Harbor. From 4 to 6 p.m., join the folks from Kidd Squid Brewing, Ubergeek and North Fork Brewing for a festive afternoon of tastings and access to three of the newest faces on the East End brewing scene.

Each brewery will have representatives on hand to discuss the process behind its beer-making methods and answer questions about the products. Light bites will be available during the tastings. The $20 ticket covers generous tastings from each of the three breweries, and beer from all three will be available via cash bar following the tasting.

But space is limited, so reserve now at eventbrite.com.

Kidd Squid Brewing Company is at 11 Spring Street in Sag Harbor. The final “Sips of Summer” event will be Craft Spirits From Master Distillers on Thursday, July 27, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Sagaponack Farm Distillery, 369 Sagg Road, Sagaponack. That event will feature spirits created on Long Island with a tasting featuring three different distilleries — Sagaponack Farm Distillery, Match Book Distilling and Twisted Cow Distillery — and special musical performance by Nancy Atlas and Inda Eaton.

Cheers to summer!

The American Hotel Is a Winner of Wine Spectator’s 2023 Restaurant Awards

Wine Spectator, the world’s leading authority on wine, has unveiled the winners of the 2023 Restaurant Awards, which honor the world’s best restaurants for wine. This year’s awards program recognizes 3,505 dining destinations from all 50 states in the U.S. and more than 70 countries internationally.

Making the list locally was The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, which was noted for strengths in carrying wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Rhône, Italy, Spain and right here on Long Island, as well as its farm to table French cuisine.

In 1972, Conklin transformed a neglected building on Sag Harbor’s Main Street into The American Hotel, a charming (and fabled) hotel-restaurant. In 1981, his Bordeaux- and California-focused wine list earned the restaurant one of the original 13 Grand Awards. Conklin still owns the property, where his well-rounded cellar includes many local labels. The hotel’s sommelier is Robert Pruett, while its chef is Richard James and the manager is Julian Ramirez.

“In a time of technological innovation, restaurants offer the human experience diners are hungry for — listening to their customers and offering personalized experience,” said Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher, Wine Spectator. “This annual issue celebrates the places where wine is at the top of that conversation. I’m pleased to congratulate all 3,505 restaurants for their dedication to wine and wine-loving diners.”

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,001; 1,411; and 93 winners this year in each respective category.

Included in Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue: a favorable forecast for restaurants — how today’s restaurants are staffing up, refreshing their menus and increasing their wine offerings creatively to engage their customers.

The Restaurant Awards issue, which features chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller on the cover, becomes available to readers July 11.

Buttero Italian Steakhouse Comes to East Hampton

Buttero Italian Steakhouse has opened its doors at 31 Race Lane in East Hampton. The restaurant is from the Dopo Restaurant Group, owners of Dopo la Spiaggia in Sag Harbor, Dopo Argento in Southampton and Dopo il Ponte in Bridgehampton.

Buttero, which means cowboy in Italian, features a fresh array of seafoods and pastas along with an extended prime meat selection. The 85-seat dining room inside adjoins a private garden outside with an additional 60 seats surrounded by trees and beautiful flowers, with bars in each space to enjoy one of the restaurant’s many smart martinis and craft specials.

The building, designed by Norman Jaffe, features an oversized fireplace and cozy banquettes, is a perfect destination for summer date nights. Eye-catching menu items include a 38-ounce Porterhouse for two, a 14-ounce Berkshire pork chop, and the 1.5-pound lobster linguini with spicy tomato sauce.

As background, the Dopo Restaurant Group was born out of friendship, and a desire to bring authentic Italian cuisine to the East End. Accomplished chef and co-owner Maurizio Marfoglia, along with his wife, Holly, partnered with Maria and Larry Baum over 15 years ago to bring their passion of Italy to Sag Harbor. With its popularity, one restaurant became two, two became three, and three became four. The Dopo Restaurant Group, under the watchful eye of executive chef Fabio Gutierrez, believes in a simple formula — create a space that always has excellent food, a great atmosphere, and amazing service.

“When you come to a Dopo-run restaurant, we want our clients to feel at home and to experience excellence without the attitude,” said co-owner Larry Baum. “We want to live up to our reputation as the top group of Italian restaurants that customers come to again and again.”

Outstanding in the Field

Cloudy Bay Vineyards from New Zealand and Outstanding in the Field will host a one-of-a-kind outdoor dinner experience on Thursday, July 20, at 6:15 p.m. in East Hampton. The dinner will be held at Fireplace Farm, 2 Hog Creek Lane, in Springs and the evening will celebrate the joy in entertaining, community, and craftsmanship with a stunning setting on Gardiners Bay.

Following a picturesque cocktail hour, guests will enjoy a four course dinner prepared by the chef and team restaurant in Bridgehampton with pairings from Cloudy Bay’s iconic portfolio of New Zealand wines. Elaia Estiatorio’s ingredient-driven Greek cuisine is designed to be enjoyed seaside, so it will be a perfect fit for this farm.

Oliver and Maxwell Ryan own and oversee this beautiful beachfront property, in partnership with Farmer Paul Hamilton. In addition to breathtaking views of the Gardiners Bay, this farm has a wonderful and mysterious history to share, but only for those who see it in person.

To reserve a seat, email cloudybay@weareshadow.com.