Restaurants in the super-fashionable South Fork come and go pretty quickly; stay up-to-date by picking up the ubiquitous Dan's Papers. Three upscale, celeb faves that have stood the test of time are Nick & Toni's, 136 North Main St., East Hampton (tel. 631/324-3550); Della Femina, 99 North Main St., East Hampton (tel. 631/329-6666); and Mirko's, Water Mill Sq., Water Mill (tel. 631/726-4444). Keep in mind that reservations at many of these and other see-and-be-seen dining establishments can be very hard to come by, unless you know someone. But give it a try -- the economic slowdown might mean you'll get lucky.
For top-quality Thai, try Phao Thai Kitchen, 29 Main St., Sag Harbor (tel. 631/725-0101), which reopened in 2009 after a seven-year hiatus. Turtle Crossing, 221 Pantigo Rd., East Hampton (tel. 631/324-7166), serves up satisfying Southwestern fare and barbecue. In Montauk, head straight to Inlet Seafood, 541 East Lake Dr. (tel. 631/668-4272), owned by six local green-minded fishermen, or Duryea's Lobster Deck, 65 Tuthill Rd. (tel. 631/668-2410), for views and amazingly fresh seafood.
Roadside Eatin' -- No trip to the East End is complete without a stop at the roadside mainstay Lobster Roll, 1980 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett (tel. 631/267-3740), otherwise known as "Lunch." Load up on rich lobster bisque, crab cakes, or their signature lobster roll. Down the road a piece, you'll find another much-loved clam shack, Cyril's Fish House, 2167 Montauk Hwy. (tel. 631/267-7993), serving Caribbean-inflected seafood and colorful tropical drinks. At the aptly named Clam Bar, 2025 Montauk Hwy. (tel. 631/267-6348), grab a stool at the outdoor bar and suck down briny clams and oysters, straight-from-the-sea fish and chips, or their famous tuna bits.
Dress Code -- While you'll always find the well dressed (and well heeled) in Hamptons restaurants, you won't feel out of place in casual attire unless you're dining at a very formal place like East Hampton's The Palm (an outpost of the NYC steakhouse). Servers at celebrity hangout Almond, and at The Laundry, are clad in blue jeans.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
