Browse: January 2008

The war in Iraq is now approaching its fifth year, and it remains as heavy of an issue now as it did since its beginning. In the third part of our series of interviews with Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi, the journalist speaks with Anthony Gray about Congress' role in keeping track of specific Iraq projects, the $8 billion in cash that was lost, and government safeguards now in place to fix these problems.

See Taibbi's take on the 2008 Election in Part 1.

See Taibbi's take on Congress in Part 2.

> Full coverage

Along with the Giants vs. Patriots debate comes the watch or don’t watch debate, among others. Yes, there is a small cadre of Super Bowl opposition out there—shocking, we know. And even though the Patriots are going to drub the Giants (full disclosure: the author of this article is a Patriots fan), the question of where to watch is valid. Here are some options:

Rowdy Hall
“Super Gal Sunday”
Main St., East Hampton (631) 324-8555
Rowdy Hall is letting the ladies rule the bar on Sunday, February 3rd, with half price bar food, discounted cosmos, well drinks, wine and beers. Enjoy intelligent conversation, silly giggling while viewing or not viewing the big game on the flat screen at the bar.

Matto
What: Super Bowl Sunday
North Main St., East Hampton (631) 329-0200
Matto will be celebrating Super Bowl Sunday on February 3rd. Come watch the game on Matto’s flat screen TV and enjoy specialty martinis, $3.50 beers and complimentary bar snacks including mini pizzette bits and wings.

Townline BBQ
Super Bowl XLII
Townline Road, Sagaponack (631) 537-2271 (BBQ1)
Townline BBQ will be celebrating Super Bowl Sunday on Sunday, February 3rd with complimentary snacks during the game, including, wings, pigs in a blanket, peanuts and popcorn. Come view the game on the flat screens and play a game of pool while you watch.

Publick House
Super Bowl XLII
North Main St., Southampton (631) 283-2800
$5 raffle tickets for a flat screen, drink and food specials and lots of TVs with the game on.

Magic's Pub
Super Bowl XLII
Main St., Westhampton Beach (631)-288-6105
Food and drink specials and widescreen projection TVs.

There's a lot of fish in the sea, but the Hamptons have some of the best catches around. We'll prove it to you in our upcoming feature: Plum Blind Date. We want to play matchmaker and set you up with an ideal match for the very important Valentine's Day.

E-mail hamptonsticker@plumtv.com to enter. Tell us about yourself, what you're looking for in potential partner, and what you can reciprocate. If we like you're stuff, we'll set you up for a dinner date and evening of fun on screen.

Sometimes newspapers publish something stupid. On rare occasions, they publish something offensive. But The Independent's editor, Rick Murphy, took things to a whole new level this week in his column "Low Tidings." Low isn't even in the ballpark to describe this one.

The response to this story has been overwhelming. Our readers have reacted. It's made the national news. People are irate. And now the editor, Rick Murphy, and publisher, Jerry Della Femina, apologize. Is it enough?

Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi continues to attack current trends in modern politics. In Part II of a multi-part interview, he discuss the inner-workings of Congress and how this governing body actually works with Anthony Gray.

Check out Taibbi's thoughts on the 2008 Election in Part I.

> Full coverage

As one of the sunniest spots in the Northeast, the North Fork is ripe for the wine-making. In this clip, Agawam Albertson Principal Broker Tom Scalia gives you a personal tour of Raphael Winery in Peconic.

Raphael Winery
39390 Main Road
Peconic, NY 11958
631-765-1100

www.raphaelwine.com

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Late last year, if you recall, we took a comprehensive look at the coexistence of Yankees and Red Sox fans here in the Hamptons. Much to our delight, it appears we'll take a look at a similar matter only in a different arena, as the New England Patriots face the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Pats have been an obvious lock for the championship since day one, but unless you are Prince Akeem of Zamunda, you likely didn't see the Giants making it this far did you?

The recent zoning law change in Sagaponack means that cars can no longer park within 180 feet of Montauk Highway on side streets in the village. The original proposal was for a 400 foot distance, but the village settled on the shorter distance after numerous discussions about the zoning change. But what really matters here? Simply the distance you'll have to walk to get your hands on some ribs at Townline BBQ.

We've run the numbers and discovered that the increased distance you'll have to walk will have some health benefits. Walking the 180 foot distance to the door of the BBQ haven will burn about 11 calories. This means that you'll only have to walk back and forth between your car and the door of the reatuarant 123 times to work off all the calories you'll consume while at the restaurant.

Happy dining.

Okay move over Alpine, New Jersey, Southampton is going to give you a run for your money in Forbes next most expensive zip codes list. Real LI reports that the venerable gilded age Southampton estate “Old Trees” has gone into contract. Harald Grant of Sotheby’s has the listing at $48 million. Located on Lake Agawam with distant ocean views, Old Trees was built by famed architect Goodhue Livingston who chose this 10 acre setting to build his personal residence in 1911 featuring a 3 story Georgian manor house (which codes would prevent today). Livingston was with the firm of Trowbridge & Livingston which designed many important buildings in Manhattan including the St. Regis Hotel.

The gated grounds include the main house overlooking a pool and spa, a guest house with its own pool, an 1800’s barn with guest and staff quarters, a clay tennis court bordered by its famous rose garden, and of course the towering specimen trees along the curving drive which give the estate its name. Owner, financier Donald Burns, had updated the buildings and grounds with state of the art technology and turned it into an entertaining showpiece.

This is good news for two other high end properties listed in Southampton, the $65 million Gin Lane estate formerly owned by producer Marty Richards on 6 acres with 400 oceanfront feet. The current owner, a European businessman, paid $23 million for the property in 2003 and reportedly spent another $25 million to overhaul the 13,000 square foot 8 bedroom main house and 7,500 square foot guest house. The property, listed with Sotheby’s, also has a pool, spa, tennis court and its own lily pond (lilies included). Prudential has another venerable 15,000 foot Georgian Manor in Southampton, “Westerly,” owned by the late financier Howard Gittis with its own pool and tennis court on 15 acres listed at $59 million.

Our real estate columnist Heather Buchanan lives in Sag Harbor. Email her with comments and tips and see more of her writing at HamptonsHeather.com

Are Republicans or Democrats more entertaining to cover? Does being a Red Sox fan instead of a Yankees fan influence a presidential candidate's elect-ability? Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi can answer such questions. You may have seen him recently on Real Time with Bill Maher and The Colbert Report, now you can see him right here in a multi-part series. In this clip, Taibbi discusses both sides of the aisle of the 2008 presidential election with Anthony Gray.

> Full coverage

Who's Open?*

75 Main
Almond
Almoncello
American Hotel
Annona
Bobby Van's
Corner Bar
Della Femina
Fresno
Hampton Coffee Company
The Lodge 
Matto
Muse
Nick & Toni’s
The Patio at 54 Main
Pierre's
The Plaza Café
Rowdy Hall
Sen
Paradise Cafe
Il Capuccino
Tierra Mar
Townline BBQ
Wei Fun

Who's Closed?*

Harbor Bistro
La Fondita
East Hampton Point
F.O.O.D.
Lunch
Lobster Inn
Mumbo Gumbo
Tide Runner's
Turtle Crossing
The Beacon
The Clam Bar
World Pie

Who Has Deals?

Almond: $22 prix fixe 6-7 p.m. every night, all night on Monday (closed Weds.)

Almoncello: Now open and serving Northern Italian! (closed Tues.) Karaoke starting at 10:30 on Sat.

Matto: $22 prix fixe, Sun., Tues.–Thur. all night (closed Mon.), brunch on Sunday 11:30–3:30; Free Pizzette 5–7 p.m. daily when you buy a drink

Nick & Toni’s: discount movie tickets available Wed, Thur and Sun nights 6 -7 p.m. 4-course prix fixe (app, salad, entrée, dessert, glass of wine) for $38, Wed, Thu, Sun all night, 6–7 Fri–Sat

The Plaza Café: “Better than Prix Fixe” prix fixe: Sun–Fri 5:30–6:30

Rowdy Hall: Discount movie tickets, Sun–Thu lunch or dinner. Open 7 days.

Townline BBQ: daily lunch special from 11:30–3 p.m., 2 meats and 2 sides for $8.50, to stay or to go. Happy Hour Mon–Fri 4–6 p.m., $5 pints, $5 wine and $6 drinks, complimentary bar menu items (deviled eggs, onion rings, smoked wings, pulled pork sliders)

Wei Fun: “WEI Two FUN” family style prix fixe Sun–Mon, $19. Open Thu–Mon

Annona: Special Valentine’s Day dinner, 4-courses, $75

Fresno: Cannonball prixe fixe, 3 courses, $28, Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu all night, Fri–Sat available until 6:32 p.m. 30/30 prix fixe on Mon, $30, 3 courses from menu, 30% off bottles of wine

Della Femina: Sunday brunch, 12–2:30 p.m., $25. 3-course prix fix, $30, Sun–Thu, menu changes weekly

Muse: Tapas, fondue, and wine on Weds, ½ priced wines by the glass, and tapas menu items. Sunday brunch, 10–2 p.m. Friday, flank steak for 2 special, $48. 3-course prix fixe $28

The Patio: 3-course Chef’s Tasting, Sun–Thu, 5–7 p.m., $25

UPDATE: Brian Halweil, editor of Edible East End, has a comprehensive rundown on some of the other prix fixe deals that are to be had around town these days.  

* This article comes with a GIANT disclaimer. We've tried to do our due dilgence and get the facts right, but we're not perfect. If we got something wrong, let us know, by emailing hamptonseditor@plum.com Happy eating.

There’s a place in East Hampton, sort of, that remains a charming and cozy place to be, with the mellow excitement of a New England ski lodge, only it instead has an ice rink. There's hot cocoa, a fireplace, and a fireside sofa simply ideal for passing the winter day for $5 besides the fifth matinee screening of Alvin and the Chipmunks.

But you better stock up on board games because it seems winter will pass without an ice rink in East Hampton. The legal gridlock between Town Hall and the Buckskill Winter Club continues after last week’s public meeting with the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals saw little progress made toward reopening the outdoor arena.

Real estate developer R. Donahue Peebles recently received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the 11th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit. According to the Newsday article about the award "Peebles, the founder, chairman and chief executive of Coral Gables, Fla.-based Peebles Corp., is said to be one of the country's most successful African-American real estate developers, with a portfolio that includes luxury hotels and residential and commercial properties and projects under way in Washington, D.C., Miami Beach, the Florida Keys, San Francisco and Las Vegas valued at more than $4 billion."

Peebles, who has a home in Bridgehampton, came on the MorningNoon&Night show this past summer to talk to Chris O'Conner about the book he wrote, The Peebles Principles.

Personalities: R. Donahue Peebles Entrepreneur of the Year [Newsday]

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It costs $10 per car on the South Ferry one-way from North Haven to Shelter Island, and $12 round-trip. But a Newsday report reveals a plan to increase fares for the second time in five years, pending approval by the Suffolk County Legislature.

The hike would boost one-way fares for small vehicles up to $12 and round-trip up to $15– a $5 per mile increase for the .4-mile trip. Meanwhile, residents' 10-trip ticket books would increase from $45 to $50 for one-way (a $1.25 per mile increase) and $47 to $52 for round-trip ($0.63 per mile), while foot passengers' fares would stay the same.

South Ferry credits steady increases in oil prices and the need for a new $1.9 million boat capable of floating 18 cars to replace the 76-year-old Captain Ed Wright. So a trip to Shelter Island from the South Fork requires paying more for gas AND tickets. Therefore, it's time to begin exploring new options. Here are a few alternative methods of traversing the Shelter Island Sound that we'd like to see play out:

• Shelter Island Bridge and Tunnel Authority: If U.S Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska was close to getting $453 million for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere," then maybe U.S Representative Tim Bishop should start pulling some strings or get in touch with that developer who proposed building the Cross Sound Link Project that would connect Rye and Syosset.
• Mass-investment in aquatic self-transportation: $100-$250 for a wetsuit plus $30-$50 for flippers or fins from Sunrise to Sunset Surf & Dive in Southampton may be a wise buy that pays off in the long run as you tone your bod in the Shelter Island Sound. It shouldn't be that hard to get yourself a bargain on a kayak either.
• North Haven Catapult: Take flight for a great ride with a great view that is way faster than any ferry ride or swim. There are enough architectural experts on the East End to comprise plans for an environmentally-friendly and traveler-convenient contraption. Think about it, it could work.

A public hearing on the ferry fare increase will take place in Hauppauge at 2:30 p.m. on March 4. We encourage you to be there to discuss the proposed alternatives and more.

Rate Hike Sought for Shelter Island Ferry Service [Newsday]

A dance student beginning at the age of two, Megan Cancellieri now teaches ballet lessons for ages three to adult at Danse Arts, located in the Bridgehampton Community House– where, according to her, it's more than just a dance studio, "It becomes a family."

Danse Arts
2357 Montauk Highway
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
631-537-1684

http://dansearts.com

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Players in the “I remember the Hamptons when…” contest may try to out do one another, reminiscing about watching the drive in movie in Bridgehampton or dancing at the St James Hotel or recalling the days when lobster salad was only $50 a pound. But one of the smallest yet best things about the Hamptons, the Pike’s Farm Stand in Sagaponack, awaits its fate in the game. And there’s nothing like a January tomato to make you long for the summer days of fresh from the vine and route—or should that be root—for their survival.

Recession? What recession? Clearly the Hamptons' high-end real estate market is feeling no pain. Either that or blind optimism still rules the day. A Sagaponack spread has just been listed by Beate Moore of Sotheby's for rent, Memorial Day to Labor Day, for $1 million. This isn't actually a record as Harald Grant of Sotheby's rented a Southampton home last summer for a cool million as well. But, as Newsday notes, that's still about $10,000 a day.

Of course, a $1 million rental is only about six euros these days, so expect some little known countess to snatch up the property, which is next door to Billy Joel's new places.

Hamptons Summer Rental Goes for $1 Million [Newsday]