Welcome the Summer Solstice 2019! Lobster Rolls, Fireworks and Sandcastles

It may have seemed like a long time coming, but it’s officially Summer on June 21!

And with the coming of summer come all sorts of fabulous things to do in the Hamptons:

Hit The Beach!

THE BEACH:  Remember when you were at that blissful age where you refused to come out of the water even when your lips turned purple? The water at the Ocean Beaches may still be just barely warm enough to dip your toes in, but the Bay & Harbor waters are balmy, warm, calm, less crowded even on a sunny day, and you can bring the dogs and a picnic . . . We’ll be happy to give you a map, a picnic and – the holy grail – a beach parking permit!

Find The Best Lobster Roll!

A LOBSTER ROLL:  We are always on the search for that infamous ‘Best Ever’ lobster roll, maybe on a dock on the bay.  

• A chilled glass of Rosé and a Lobster Roll at Duryea’s in Montauk fits the bill and delivers one amazing view! They also have a seafood market; it doesn’t get any better or fresher.  
• Closer to home, try Bostwick’s Chowder House in East Hampton. You can eat on the patio or pick up a couple of lobster rolls to take to the beach. Or some lobster bisque to take back to your room if it happens to be raining.
• Our perennial favorite is the Clam Bar in Napeague – first to open and last to close for the season (Saint Patty’s Day to Thanksgiving).  
• Date night?  Want something a bit fancier?  Try the Lobster BLT at Page at 63 Main in Sag Harbor.  We love their living wall as well as their wine list!

Wine and Lobster on the Beach

A LOBSTER ROAST:  Or maybe you would like a lobster roast on the beach at sunset? With a bottle or two of rosé from Wölffer Estate or Channing Daughters? An afternoon drive to our favorite South Fork wineries is a pleasant way to while away the day until sunset – which comes so late now close to the Summer Solstice. Ask our Personal Assistants to set one up for you – but please give them advance notice!

Time For Summer Fireworks

FIREWORKS:  And with summer comes Independence Day!  Hooray for the Red White and Blue! BBQs and Fireworks!  OK, so the big fireworks show on East Hampton’s Main Beach is rescheduled again to Saturday August 17th due to those pesky nesting Piping Plovers, but you can still get your dose of bangs, booms and sizzles closer to the actual celebration:

• Thursday, July 4th:  Venture out to Montauk for Stars over Montauk, the Grucci family’s impressive display on Umbrella Beach. Viking Fleet offers a Montauk Fireworks Cruise at 8:00 – 11:00pm. Cocktails available at the bar and you can bring your own picnic. Sounds like a great way to celebrate our Independence! But don’t bring the dogs – they really don’t appreciate fireworks. And park to the west of Umbrella Beach on the Old Montauk Highway, or you will be stuck in traffic for hours after the show . . .
• Saturday July 6th:  Why not let us charter you a boat so you can watch the Devon Yacht Club fireworks from the water.  We’ll pack a picnic if you want. Parking is limited, so get there early and camp out on the beach if you don’t care for a boat ride.
• Also on Saturday, July 6th: With enough notice, we can make you dinner reservations in Sag Harbor on Saturday night.  After dinner you can grab an ice cream cone and wander over to Long Wharf, Marine Park or Haven’s Beach to watch Sag Harbor Yacht Club’s Independence Day Fireworks.
• Saturday July 13th:  If you would rather celebrate Bastille Day, ‘The Great Bonac Fireworks Show,’ hosted by the Clamshell Foundation & Grucci, ‘The First Family of Fireworks,’ takes place over Three Mile Harbor.  It is best seen by boat, or you can watch from the beach at Maidstone Park, Sammy’s Beach, Gann Road, or any of the beaches off Hands Creek Road or Springy Banks.  Dinner reservations at the harborside restaurants will be hard to come by, so make your reservations at the Mill House Inn soon so we can take care of them for you.

Build Your Own Sandcastle!

SAND CASTLES:  The Clamshell Foundation also hosts its 17th Annual Sandcastle Contest on Saturday August 10th.  A fabulous time is always had by all!!! Castle builders of all ages can register in advance to compete with their peers, and it’s all to raise funds for educational and charitable grants within the East Hampton Community.

Don’t Miss the Taste Of Summer!

AND YES, DAN’S TASTE OF THE SUMMER IS BACK!  Plan ahead, buy your tickets and book a suite . . .

Don’t miss the East End’s Premier Food & Wine Events! (Sorry, you already missed the Rosé Soirée over Memorial Day . . .)

• Saturday June 29 – Chefs of the Hamptons
• Saturday July 13 – Chefs of the North Fork
• Friday July 19 – Grillhampton
• Saturday July 20 – Taste of Two Forks
• Saturday August 4 – Montaco

I am hungry already . . .

Sylvia