Our newest topic on the blog is Day Trips. Always up for an adventure, day trips allow us to explore for more than just one meal. And the late summer and fall is an ideal time to perfect the day trip.
Our first outing: Amagansett.
Once known to me only as the place between East Hampton and Montauk, Amagansett is a town to visit and enjoy entirely on it's own. While the beach is the main attraction, Amagansett Square, a collection of small white buildings on Montauk Highway, house almost everything you'd need for a day trip. Food, drink, shopping and more.
Stop 1: Hampton Chutney
Boy do I wish Hampton Chutney was in my town. This counter service spot has just a few tables inside and a few more outside for dining and it is packed. They specialize in Dosas (light, crispy sour-dough crepe made from rice and lentils) and Uttapams (same rice-lentil batter made into an open-faced pancake). Note: Both are of those are Hampton Chutney's definitions. My definition? An Indian Burrito.
The Classic Masala with a spiced Indian potato filling is one of my favorites. Add a cilantro chutney and you have an ideal lunch. We also adore the Potato Masala - sort of the same as the classic but different with the addition of chicken and spinach.
The only thing I don't like is the service. We called our order in, were given a 15 minute window and it wound up taking close to 45 minutes for the two dosas. Worth it? Yes.
Stop 2: Jack's Stir Brew
Not on the original itinerary, JB needed coffee and this was recommended as the best place in town. Mind you the best comes with a hefty price - over $5 for a simple coffee and an organic (and actually quite delicious) doughnut was close to $4. Welcome to the Hamptons.
Stop 3: The Meeting House
We were fortunate to have dinner with friends visiting from out of town so our typical party of 4 was upped to a party of 8. Even better - the Meeting House only takes reservations for parties of 8 or more. Strolling in without the typical wait was a true luxury.
The Meeting House is a year round establishment in the back of Amagansett Square. Outdoors or indoors, it is charming - the kind of place you could dine at several nights a week.
Menu choices range from a requisite burger to mussels to steak. They also have a substantial kids menu.
After the day of eating we'd had, I chose the two appetizer route. A dish of string beans with garlic and bacon was stellar. Bacon pieces were substantial in size and taste. The lamb meatballs with tzatziki were a close second.
Other table members enjoyed oysters, roasted corn, pizza from a wood burning oven and that burger I mentioned. The kids all loved their meals, especially the ice cream for dessert.
Service was a bit spotty. The mussels came out long after the rest of the main courses and a piece of plastic was found in one dish but this is a busy spot. I'd like to return in the winter and take advantage of the their $25 prix-fixe, 2 courses plus a glass wine. Who's joining us?
