Saturday, May 26, 2012

Tact and Discretion

Sometimes what we see, where we go and who we meet is too high-profile, even for a blog of this nature.



The stuff Town & Country, Maxim and Vanity Fair wishes they could get their hands on was obtained by spyehampton this MDW evening/morning. However, as we believe in pure journalistic integrity and respect for our betters, mum is very much the word.

As a side-note. Congrats on great performances tonight at Hamptons Players Club, Trata and Nobu. The slow first night of a holiday weekend remained strong at said venues. Nevertheless, exclusive house parties monopolized the social agenda and hence we are keeping out lips sealed.

Get some sleep. There's three more nights of this and it's only going to get more crazy ;-)


Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Where do I go in the Hamptons?! (part II)

In the circus of cabana tents, daybeds, champagne buckets and banquets, don't leave the summershare without a plan.


SL East (212.627.1235)


Last summer saw an uptick in East Hampton nightlife. Venues like Georgica and SL East remain at the forefront of this trend. Formerly Lily Pond and Resort (home to the $20,000 table), 44 Three Mile Harbor Road has hosted some of the most exclusive parties in the past decade. With the PR engine behind Tenjune and Catch Roof coupled to Frank Cilione's real estate presence, SL East is poised for a record summer.



South Pointe (917.574.4112)

Long gone are the days of Jonathan Peters spinning until 9am at Tavern. 125 Tuckahoe Road has seen a transformation from the bridge & tunnel crowd, toward class served up on a daybed of Hamptons exclusivity.


In 2011, South Pointe was home to parties featuring Avicii and Erick Morillo. Jonathan Schwartz's Southampton gem is gearing up for another great summer and we are digging to find out which celebrity DJs will be on their calendar. With a young and affluent crowd ready to party until 4am, South Pointe boasts the best dancing in Southampton.



Hamptons Players Club (631.324.1663)


Identifying a market is critical to success, especially amongst the competition and expectations created in the Hamptons. Debuting this summer is Hamptons Players Club, an equestrian themed restaurant, lounge and beer garden. That's right, the first beer garden in the Hamptons!



At 103 Montauk Highway, in Wainscott, a well executed revitilization is near completion and slated to open for Memorial Day weekend. Featuring two of the largest dining rooms in the Hamptons, accented by a large outdoor lounge with chic lighting, banquets and a great sound system, anticipation for this venue is more than enough to make us forget Prime 103 or JL East.


The team of Frank Cilione, Neil Levinbook, David and Caroline Levinbook have transformed the former location of Beachhouse into the trifecta of VIP Lounge, Beer Garden and exclusive restaurant. As Polo occupies half of the summer weekends, Hamptons Players Club will prove to be the best social and cultural enhancement to the nightlife scene, in 2012.



Cheers to summer, sun and sexy parties on the South Fork!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Where do I go in the Hamptons?!

Where to see and be seen this summer



All winter long you’ve been toiling away behind a desk somewhere. Some of you have been punching away at your Bloomberg like Ali on a speedbag. Others have been working the media circuit—PR, Advertising, Publishing and Marketing—weaving the social fabric to ensure that New York remains the greatest city on earth. Now it’s time for a much needed break.

We left off last summer as Hurricane Irene tore through the Hamptons, toppling power lines, busting water mains and turning the nicest beaches on the east end into hazard zones. While Irene brought a great summer to a premature close, it is now ancient Hampton’s history, gone in a New York minute.

Let’s take a look at a few establishments that are sure to draw the media moguls, financial titans, A-Listers and of course a smattering of ball players to their swanky digs.


Trata (631.726.6200)


Revamped with a large outdoor area and their eclectic Mediterranean menu/motif. A great place to dine outside before heading to a club in Southampton/East Hampton. Since their parties can go until 2 or 3am, some folks don’t even bother leaving.



Median age is early-mid thirties and the cuisine is remarkable.




Nobu at The Capri Hotel (631.504.6575)


Season 2 of this dynamic duo, blending boutique hotel with modern Japanese cuisine (and the clout of Richie Notar, Nobu Matsuhisa and Jonathan Cheban) will once again prove to be the social anchor of Southampton this summer. However, we are not 100% certain Nobu will be open for Memorial Day, 2012.



Last summer, ad hoc renovations held the restaurant back for the weekend, until they finally opened their doors on Monday, Memorial Day, 2011. The net effect: crowds were beating down the doors come June and by July/August, reservations were as hard to come by as Momofuku Ko, circa 2009.

Notables on hand included Howard Stern, Chris Bosh, Robert De Niro, Courtney Love, Ahmad Rashad, Michael Strahan and Pharrell.


The Palm (631.324.0411)



Steadfast social anchor of East Hampton, a few short paces away from the Jitney stop. The Palm is hands down the best steakhouse in the Hamptons and services a level of action that runs seven days per week.



Patrons include Renee Zellweger, Ronald Perelman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jon Bon Jovi and Robert Downey Jr. Call ahead, ask for Thomas, leave your kids at home and get ready to enjoy a classy dining experience at an historic venue.


Dune? More like done…


And the Sotheby's sign is proof of this. spyehampton feels this is probably for the best, following a lackluster performance in 2011.

However, Matt Shendell’s party is going strong at...

Southampton Social Club (631.287.1400)



While the median age is around 29, this is a trendy crowd and a sexy party.


















Certainly worth checking out as it's a stone's throw from 75Main, Nobu and Watermill.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

75 Main - A Southampton Staple

75 Main - A Southampton Staple, Off-Season and Every Summer



I arrived at 75 Main on the afternoon of the Kentucky Derby and was thrilled to find a lively crowd of local onlookers.


While the Hamptons is slowly springing to life after the mild winter, evidence of revitalized and fabulous venues is discernible from a drive down Montauk Highway. With a comforting New American menu, boasting Hamachi Tartare, Black Truffle Cheese-Potatoes Grain and Sauteed Branzini, reservations are recommended. 631.283.7575 or OpenTable.

With a brand new location in Del Ray Beach, Zach Erdem (prorpietor) has had his hands full, jetting between sunny Florida and the warming Hamptons!


The allure of 75 Main is their ability to remain open year-round...and to do so with a vibrant crowd. Sure the curb appeal from Main Street in Southampton is part of the draw, but Erdem's promoting prowess turns this back room


...into this


Sometimes Nobu, Social House and Savannahs are too crowded. Or maybe you want to forego the hawty-tawty glitterati for some more comradery. 75 Main, with the seamless blending of a classy restaurant, casual outdoor seating and the nightly transition into a hip lounge is a very savvy answer.

With occassional appearances by Lee Kalt, there is no telling what the night could bring (or when it could end).

Check spyehampton for an upcoming interview with Zach Erdem, the logistics brains, PR brawn and principal proprietor of 75 Main Street!