AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE HAMPTONS by SOFIA CROKOS

Long Island’s Hamptons region has long been the summer playground of the rich and famous. It consists of a string of always chic seaside communities where today’s most well-known celebrities and stylish socialites own summer homes. People often flock here hoping to see the stars in Southampton, East Hampton, Montauk and the other communities along the South Fork.

I discovered the beauty of The Hamptons  back when I was 23 years old and, over time I have only fallen more in love with this part of Long Island’s East End. For those that aren’t fully familiar, The Hamptons are a group of villages and hamlets in the townships of Southampton and East Hampton, which form the South Fork of Long Island, New York.

I am happy to say that The Hamptons has become a full time home for my husband, Chris and  me, and our cocker spaniel, Mocha.

ON PEOPLE’S FASCINATION WITH THE HAMPTONS

The luxury of being surrounded by the ocean, the open fields and farm land, combined with the night life, outdoor dining, health and fitness (both indoors and out) and relaxed lifestyle make it a landing place for not just Manhattanites but also an ever-growing crowd of international jet setters who love the diversity, elegance and beauty that The Hamptons offers.

THE BEST PLACES FOR FOOD, DRINK AND ENTERTAINMENT

Well, of course I am going to be biased and say you must experience my husband’s restaurant Osteria Salina in Bridgehampton. It’s truly the best Italian establishment out here and has a strong emphasis on Sicilian flavors, not to mention the best Bucatini con Sarde you will ever taste! But the greatest thing about our restaurant is that it is open all year round!

Along with our restaurant, here are some of my favorite local spots:

{ Beacon, Sag Harbor }

Sunday is my favorite days to go to the Beacon. Get there by 6 pm when the restaurant opens to grab a table on its outdoor patio and you’ll get to watch the prettiest sunsets. When the Beacon is serving bouillabaisse, ordering it is an absolute MUST! It’s by far my favorite dish and since all of the seafood they use is local, there’s nothing better! (open seasonally)

{ Crow’s Nest Inn & Restaurant, Montauk }

Last year we celebrated our one year wedding anniversary at the Crow’s Nest. We fell in love with their fresh, local, organic food and warm, romantic ambiance. We go back as often as we can!  Sadly, it’s only open during the summer season, but it is definitely worth the wait! My husband and I plan to celebrate our second wedding anniversary there, only this time, some of our closest friends will join us. (open seasonally)

{ Sunset Beach, Shelter Island }

You can’t go wrong with any hotel that André Balazs creates. This place has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I always enjoy going there for a bottle of rosé and to enjoy its rustic-yet-chic setting as it draws such a diverse crowd of people from around the world.  It truly feels like you’ve landed in Saint-Tropez.

{ Sen, Sag Harbor }

Best Sushi out here! Everything on Sen’s menu is amazing, and it’s open year-round!

{ The Wine Stand at Wölffer Vineyard, Sagaponack }

Sunset Fridays is the place to be. We get to go and bring our blanket, buy Wölffer’s Rosé and listen to live music. The property is so breathtaking with its perfectly manicured vineyard as the back drop that you feel like you have died and gone to wine heaven!  It’s great to go and bump into so many of my city friends, as well as my new friends that live in The Hamptons full time.

{ Drum Circle on Monday sunsets at Sagg Main Beach, Sagaponack }

I love to grab my husband, our friends, and a favorite bottle of wine and head down to Sagg Main Beach. This drumming party takes place usually around 6 pm every Monday night and is a gathering of adults, children, and sometimes even dogs. Everyone listens and dances to the beat of a 15 piece percussion group. It’s a lively celebration that instantly transports me to Rio, Brazil, and it’s a great way to start every summer week!

WHAT TO SEE IN THE HAMPTONS

There are so many things to do and see in The Hamptons. I personally love to ride my bike around Sag Harbor, where we live, sip a delicious brewed treat from SagTown Coffee and then head over to the tiny little boutique, Sag Harbor Baking Co., for some of their warm, freshly baked baguettes! I also love to grab some of their breakfast pastries to take home to weekend guests staying with us.

On an almost daily basis, I head to Country Garden Farm Stand in Bridgehampton. This is where I buy the best local corn, succulent red tomatoes and other yummy greens and fruits. It makes such a difference to eat organically and it makes me so happy when we use their amazing local and seasonal produce in our cooking! We are so fortunate to have access to the freshest local produce from Country Garden, the best local seafood, caught daily at The Seafood Shop in Wainscott, and the finest artisanal cheeses from Mecox Bay Dairy in Bridgehampton.  Both my husband and I love to entertain and it’s a real treat for our guests when we cook with the delicious produce, fish, cheeses, wine and other gourmet foods available from all the local vendors out here.

And I can’t forget my favorite ice cream joint! The Big Olaf Ice Cream Shop by the marina in Sag Harbor which offers over 15 different homemade flavors. Make sure you try the coconut almond joy, it’s to die for!

If I am not meeting clients at their homes, my new favorite meeting place for coffee or a glass of wine is Tom Colicchio’s new hotspot, Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton.

Going for walks, especially on the beach is so serene for me. Anything that has to do with water makes me happy so I get to live this dream of mine almost daily.

Of course, the wetlands and dunes of The Hamptons have inspired some of the greatest abstract and landscape artists of our time–Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and Roy Lichtenstein. Wandering through the modern, minimalist galleries of the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill gets you up close and personal with the work of these art legends.

MUST VISIT SHOPS OR TOWNS TO SEE

Each “hampton”, if you will, offers their unique style and presence. So whether you are looking for the surf shops that you will find in Sag Harbor or Montauk, or the more boutique retail stores found in Southampton or East Hampton, The Hamptons has it all!

WHAT TO WEAR AND WHAT TO PACK WHEN VISITING THE HAMPTONS

For those visiting The Hamptons on vacation or even those who rent or own homes out here, the attire normally calls for comfort and chic. I love that I have gone to people’s homes for dinner parties or even some charity events and feel that I don’t need to get dressed to the “nines.” There is a sense of elegant relaxation that circulates and people just go with the flow. It can get a bit cool in the evenings, so ladies, be sure to bring a long sleeve sweater or summer wrap, just in case!

BEST PLACES TO GET MARRIED IN THE HAMPTONS

I have been truly blessed to have the opportunity to create some amazing weddings in The Hamptons and most of them have been at my clients’ spectacular homes. However, if you don’t own a home in The Hamptons there are many stunning homes that can be rented, depending on your budget and personal taste.

The first event I produced in The Hamptons happened to be at Channing Daughters Winery in Bridgehampton. It was a beautiful celebration, situated in an open field next to a horse farm, with stunning, unobstructed views.

Another winery where I love to produce weddings is the Wölffer Estate Vineyard. With its Tuscan-style architecture and lush landscaping, it’s unquestionably one of the most beautiful and stylish party spaces on Long Island.

A few more amazing locations I would highly recommend for a celebration are LongHouse Reserve, the Parrish Art Museum and Topping Rose House.

BEST KEPT SECRETS FOR BRIDES GETTING MARRIED IN THE HAMPTONS

For brides getting married in The Hamptons, my biggest tip would be to plan ahead! The Hamptons is a desirable location for many and because of the limited number of hotels and bed & breakfast inns, reception venues and guest accommodations are fully booked well in advance. The first thing I would suggest is to reserve room blocks at a few area hotels to ensure you can accommodate your wedding guests. Be sure to check with each general manager as not all hotel properties allow room blocks.

The month of June is not such a great month, weather-wise, so planning your wedding in July onward is preferable. But be aware that towards the end of August into early September is hurricane season and no one wants their wedding to be a wash out!

A final word of caution: you must be aware of noise ordinances, limits on tent permits at each property and other area restrictions during the planning process, and only the best Hamptons wedding/event planners will be able to successfully navigate these obstacles.

SUMMER CULTURE OF THE HAMPTONS

There are many amazing summer events that take place in The Hamptons: art shows like Art for Hamptons; galas such as the Parrish Art Museum Gala; culinary experiences like Chefs & Champagne & Tasting of Two Forks; charity events for God’s Love We Deliver and Paddle for Pink, and the list goes on.

Anyone who lives in The Hamptons year-round, for the season or for a quick weekend, has the opportunity to experience everything from culture to nature to nightlife and beyond. It’s truly as magical as you see in the movies. Maybe more so. It’s a luxury lifestyle worth experiencing… if only for your wedding celebration.

SOFIA CROKOS is the Owner and Creative Director of SOFIA CROKOS EVENTS, LLC 212 929 1076

{Photos of Sofia Crokos courtesy of Anna Kuperberg; all others provided by Belathée}