A Celebratory Lunch: Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton, NY

When there's a new restaurant in the Hamptons, I put it on my must-hit list.  My list is long.  So I slowly chip away at it.  When the Topping Rose House opened in late 2012 with Tom Colicchio as head chef, it took a spot at the top of my list and remained there until last week, when JB and I treated ourselves to a celebratory lunch.  A lunch worthy of celebrating indeed.

The Topping Rose House is an historic home turned luxury hotel (read: rooms start at around $500/night).  The renovations are top notch and the pinnacle of the experience is dining at their establishment which focuses on farm to table fine dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.  Given that we are now in the off-season, at 12:30 on a Wednesday, we were the only two in the 50 seat dining room.  It was heavenly.

The small room is comprised mostly of two-tops and four-tops, some along a banquette with large old windows overlooking Montauk Highway.  The music was a bit loud for just the two of us, but would have been fine with a few more patrons.

Service was impeccable and stands out with little touches.  As we sat, my white napkin was promptly switched for a black one.  We were offered a taste of our wines by the glass prior to the full pour.  The potato rolls were warm and lightly dusted with salt.

The lunch menu is well-curated and small with just five appetizers and five entrees (including a burger!) Our server presented us with two bowls of beautifully cured bacon and creme fraiche and proceeded to cover it with potato leek soup.   The bacon was crispy and well complemented the robust potato flavor.   I would have preferred slightly warmer soup, though, it was warm enough.

For our mains, I chose the cheese pumpkin agnoolotti.  This homemade pasta came with discs of duck confit and pecorino, it was rich and delicious.  Better still was JB's entree of the chicken sausage with roasted vegetables and chicken jus. While on paper it appeared simple, the sausage was seared to perfection and each vegetable seemed hand-selected for the dish including the tiniest broccoli florets I have ever seen. 

To finish we ordered the apple pie which was not just a slice but rather a miniature pie surrounded in a flaky, buttery crust.  Completing the plate was vanilla bean ice cream and caramel.  We could not have asked for a better dessert to finish our special meal.  

While JB ordered a fresh French press and I finished a local Long Island Red Wine, we imagined dinner on a crowded summer night.  I can only assume that the restaurant at full capacity is as delightful as it is for two.  I hope to find out soon. 

Until our next Berger, 
KLB

Topping Rose House
One Bridgehampton - Sag Harbor TurnpikeBridgehampton, NY631.537.0870

toppingrosehouse.com

On the Side:  Open daily year-round, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Prix-fixe dinner currently offered Sunday to Thursday, 3 courses for $48.