Charlotte Moss’s Best of the Hamptons

While Sagaponack’s Madoo Conservancy may be our favorite stop, there’s plenty more to see and do in the villages along Long Island’s South Fork. Charlotte Moss shares the best of the Hamptons, fifteen of her favorite places to dine, stay, and shop.

RESTAURANTS

• THE 1770 HOUSE, East Hampton. This place is a Hamptons classic. Upstairs is refined dining (the white-tablecloth variety), while downstairs is a more casual tavern.
• CLAM BAR AT NAPEAGUE, Amagansett. Sit at the bar counter (or be sure to get a table in the shade), and order a beer, the spicy clam chowder, and the lobster roll on a tomato rather than the bun.
• MICKEY B’S DELI, Bridgehampton. Serves up perfect take-out fried chicken and mac and cheese for a beach picnic. The grapefruit Jarritos (Mexican sodas) are delicious.

HOTELS

• THE BAKER HOUSE, East Hampton. This 1650 historic Tudor home is now a bed-and-breakfast—low-key and cool with a very good breakfast. Don’t miss the wisteria pergola by the pool.
• TOPPING ROSE HOUSE, Bridgehampton. A restored home turned luxury hotel is the newest addition to the Hamptons restaurant scene: Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House.

MUSIC

• THE STEPHEN TALKHOUSE, Amagansett. Come for great local acts, but, of course, this being the Hamptons, you might hear Chris Martin or Paul McCartney.

GARDENS

• BROADVIEW GARDENS, Sagaponack. Owner Cathy Warren stocks only the best and biggest plants for your garden. She’s always on the lookout for new plant introductions.
• MARDERS, Bridgehampton. The best nursery for trees on the East End. It also features a great gift shop.
• MADOO CONSERVANCY, Sagaponack. The small exuberant garden of artist Robert Dash tucked away in Sagaponack. Nestled in a corner off Sagg Main Street this garden brim­s with personality and mystery.

FURNITURE AND HOME ACCESSORIES

• MECOX, East Hampton and Southampton. Visit both branches of Mac Hoak’s stellar home shops. The location in East Hampton concentrates on fine art and furniture, while the Southampton one has a great assortment of outdoor furniture and accessories.
• BLOOM, MONC XIII, and NEO STUDIO, Sag Harbor. I call these the “Sag Harbor Trio”—you could easily outfit your entire house from these well-curated shops.
• THE MONOGRAM SHOP, East Hampton. Valerie Smith finds great items to put your stamp on—a go-to for house presents.

SPA AND BEAUTY

• NATUROPATHICA, East Hampton. Barbara Close’s spa and apothecary for lotions, potions, and tonics for your skin is wonderful. I love my vitamin C moisturizer and mists.
  

  NATUROPATHICA, East Hampton

CLOTHING

• TENET, Southampton. A go-to for attire that ranges from Thom Browne to Isabel Marant. It’s for boys and girls, too, with espadrilles and sneakers to round out your summer wardrobe.

MUSEUMS

• THE DAN FLAVIN ART INSTITUTE, Bridgehampton. Originally a firehouse and then a church, the museum now houses a permanent collection of Dan Flavin’s work as well as a gallery for changing exhibits.
• PARRISH ART MUSEUM, Water Mill. With a diverse collection that includes works by artists who lived in Eastern Long Island, such as Willem de Kooning and Jackson Pollock, the museum also has the largest collection of art from William Merritt Chase.

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By Charlotte Moss

More from the Hamptons

• A Day in the Hamptons with Michael Grim
• The Bee Cottage Story
• The Magic of Madoo
• The Whisper of Roses