hi all,

though i am a long islander, never spent much time in the hamptons at all. now my out of town IL's want to take a ride out there this weekend and see what the fuss is about.

i was thinking drive out to south hampton to see the town, maybe grab lunch somewhere and then see a vineyard?

i personally like Sag Harbor, but i think that's too much like their native New England to be of much interest to them.

any suggestions on vineyards, restaurants, etc.

thanks!

We like Gosman's Dock, Topside restaurant overlooking nautical channel activity. However it's beyond "the Hamptons" in Montauk near "the end" of LI.

Not sure if it's still running in October, but leaving from Gosman's Dock there was a short boat tour of Montauk Harbor that might go well with out of town IL's.

Link to Gosman's Dock: www.gosmans.com/index2.htm

Hi ediegirl. If I were doing this and starting out early, here's what I would suggest.

Stop in Southampton and have a look around at the shops. This weekend, there's a special "taste of Southampton Harvest" festival going on there. (On Sunday, Sag Harbor is having a similar type thing). I don't know what sort of things they may have. I don't really find any of the Southampton rest. all that unusual for lunch. There are none with views or outside dining. I would have a "shop" and maybe drive around the estate section for a peek. (Go to Hill St. where the movie theater is, turn south on Captain's Neck line and keep going toward the Ocean).

Then I would continue east on 27. Stop at Duck Walk Vineyards in Watermill for a taste and hear some music.
http://duckwalk.com/cgi-bin/events.pl
Their tastings are free I believe and they have music in the afternoon.

I would then continue on to Sag Harbor. The American Hotel on Main st. in Sag Harbor serves a great brunch. If the weather's good you can sit out on the front porch. Otherwise, the dining room is very atmospheric. JBX Bistro, also on Main st. is nice French bistro. Certain tables have a view of the water. B. Smith sits on the water (I hate their service though) but great views.

From there I would head to Wolffer vineyards in Sagaponack (aka Sagpond Vineyards) just off 27 in Sagaponack (just east of Bridgehampton).
http://wolfferestate.com/content.html

You're visiting just in time. Harvest happens about now. In fact, I notice Wolffer has their harvest party on Monday.

From there I would head east to East Hampton and have a walk around there. The approach into East Hampton Village from 27 is really pretty with a beautiful pond.

If you should decide you want lunch in Southampton, Silver's is a small place on Main St. (on the side with Hildreth's) that looks like an old fashioned soda fountain. They do have excellent soups (lobster bisque !!) and salads and sandwiches. Not cheap though but tastey. A more local, middle of the road but good place is Barrister's, also on Main st. but on the Saks side of the street.

In Bridgehampton Bobby Vans and World Pie (across from each other) on Main St. both have excellent lunch/brunch as does Pierre's, a french bistro also on Main St. a bit further east.

There are only 3 vineyards on the south fork. I've given you two already. The 3rd is
Channing Daughters in Bridgehampton (on Scuttle Hole Road)
http://channingdaughters.com/index.ihtml According to their website they charge $5 for tastings. They're located in between the other 2.

Here's a link to what's happening this weekend. There's lots of harvest festivals,

http://danspapers.com/plan.html

I second Montauk and Gossmans Dock. There are shops and an ice cream place, plenty to walk around and look at.
Or right in town is the Shagwon (sorry, I always forget the name restaurant right on the main street..go out to the Lighhouse and walk around.
I like East Hampton more for just walking and looking, over South Hampton. Seems to be more of an all year round community with more life after Labor Day.
Have fun!

thanks everyone!
HUGE help, as usual!

I forgot to mention, if you get a later start and want to eat lunch first, take the North Road exit off Montauk Hwy/27. At the end of the exit ramp at the stop sign, make a left turn and right there about 50 yards on your right is an inn/motel that sits on the Shinnecock Canal. I think it's called the Tides. There are inside and outside tables. Basic food (burgers etc.) but a pretty setting with boats going by.

You can then continue on North road (make a right out of their parking lot). You will have to make one left turn at a major junction and will then be on what becomes Hill St. into Southampton Village.

thanks again mclaurie! i wrote down all the pertinent details about the vineyards, etc. we will have our two year old with us, i wonder if i'll have to stay outside the tasting rooms with her?

i'm slightly annoyed, to be honest, at having to drive all the way out there when we have a great fall festival happening much closer (huntington) but i'm too nice to say that to my inlaws.