We hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend.  Luckily the east end has been seeing an increase in live music over the last two seasons.  This week we bring you the rundown of all the live music in the Hamptons.

. Date Day Artist Venue . 5/31 Sun Stephan Marley Surf Lodge . 6/6 Sat Alberta Coss Surf Lodge . 6/12 Fri Blues Traveler Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 6/12 Sun Jamie Cullum Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 6/14 Sun See-I Surf Lodge . 6/19 Fri Richie Havens Stephen Talkhouse . 6/20 Sat Mishka Surf Lodge . 6/23 Wed Badfish - Sublime Tribute Band Stephen Talkhouse . 6/27 Sat Jorma Kaukonen Stephen Talkhouse . 6/28 Sun Bebel Gilberto Surf Lodge . 7/2 Thu Graham Parker Stephen Talkhouse . 7/4 Fri Rodriguez Surf Lodge . 7/4 Sat The Wallflowers Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/11 Sat Felice Brothers Surf Lodge . 7/12 Sun John Browns Body Stephen Talkhouse . 7/12 Sun Phoebe Snow Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/17 Fri Vienna Teng Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/17 Fri Ari Hest Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/18 Sat Iris dement Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center

. 7/19 Sun Donovan Frankenreiter Surf Lodge . 7/19 Sun The Spinners Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/25 Sat Frederico Aubele Surf Lodge . 7/26 Sun Joan Baez Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 7/28 Tue Mick Taylor Stephan Talkhous . 8/1 Sat Rhett Miller Stephan Talkhous . 8/1 Sat Ben Solle Surf Lodge . 8/2 Sun Ladysmith Black Mamabazo Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 8/6 Thu Dar Williams Stephan Talkhous . 8/8 Sat Timmy Curran Surf Lodge . 8/8 Sat Rufus Wainwright Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 8/9 Sun The B-52's Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 8/15 Sat Loudon Wainwright III Stephan Talkhous . 8/21 Fri Leo Kottke Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 8/23 Sun Lee scratch Perry Surf Lodge . 8/27 Thu Houthouse Flowers Stephan Talkhous . 8/28 Fri Dave Mason Stephan Talkhous . 8/29 Sat Dave Mason Stephan Talkhous . 8/29 Sat Rufus Wainwright and Norah Jones Watermill Center (More on this later) . 8/30 Sun Marcia Ball Stephan Talkhous

. 8/30 Sun Mason Jennings Surf Lodge . 8/30 Sun Dr. John Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 8/30 Sun The Neville Brothers Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 9/6 Sun Steve Earle Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 9/6 Sun Allison Moorer Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 9/12 Sat Glenn Tilbrook Stephan Talkhous . 9/19 Sat Junior Brown Stephan Talkhous . 10/10 Sat Loudon Wainwright III Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 10/10 Sat Richard Thompson Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 10/24 Sat Ray Parker Jr. Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 10/24 Sat Loudon Wainright III Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center . 10/24 Sat Richard Thmpson Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center

Hello East Enders,

Memorial Day is here and if you are headed out east, you're probably more than a little curious about what this summer has in store. It's a tough year to be relaxing in the Hamptons, so if you've ponied up for a house, and didn't get scammed by one of these guys (seriously, make sure you didn't get defrauded), then its time for some fun. Here is your rundown of the Hamptons scene.


964 Bridge Sag Tpke, Bridgehampton
The newest entrant to the Hamptons nightlife scene will be located in Bridgehampton. They promise a laid back vibe complete with bottles of rose, fire pits, and surf boards. We are a huge fan of their logo. Where DID they find the inspiration?


The Georgica
108 Wainscott Stone Rd, Wainscott
Matt Levine (of The Eldridge) is taking over the Saracen space in Wainscott to bring us Georgica Restaurant and Lounge. Georgica will have promoters, DJs, and cocktails but we aren't supposed to call it a club. Hopefully it won't be.


=
1181 North Sea Road, Southampton
This summer Dune will be known as The AXE Lounge. This sponsorship from the mens grooming brand comes with a whole lineup of live music acts that will be performing at throughout the summer. This Sunday is LMFAO.



281 Country Road 39A, Southampton
The outside area is being taken over by the Koch brothers (of the Merkato 55 brunch parties) to create a Day & Night restaurant/beach club. Is there anything better than a good day party?


Lily Pond
44 Three Mile Harbor Rd
Lily Pond will be taken over by the 1OAK team on Saturdays. This Saturday is the famed Blue & Cream event.



183 Edgemere Street, Montauk
The best addition to the Hamptons scene last summer is back with a brand new menu. We have been assured that the popcorn and blueberry crab ceviche is still intact.



256 Elm St, Southampton
An altercation outside of the restaurant between Jean Luc, owner of Madame Tong's, and the landlord indicate that the rent on Tongs has not been paid in quite some time. Hopefully the mainstay will stay open.



37 Shore Rd, Shelter Island
It's not possible to outdo Sunset and we hope things will stay just the way they are.


La Playa
125 Tuckahoe Rd, Southampton
Tavern, turned Stereo on the Shore, turned La Playa is now…nobody seems to know. No matter, you weren't going there anyway.

That's it for now. We will be providing more information on all of the above, but for now, enjoy your Memorial Day and happy summer.

---
We always appreciate tips: tips@theeastend.net

In our weekly post of fashion aficionados on the train:



hmm...what should I wear on my train ride...I was thinking pastels would brighten up the bar car.

Weekend Update: Last Weekend

It's here, the last weekend of the Hamptons season. If you didn't know that it ended the weekend AFTER Labor Day, now you do. This is our favorite weekend of the summer, when the crowd we spent the summer with comes to hang out without the noise of one-weekend tourists.  We'll tell you how to make the most of it.  If you want to hear about the socialites, concerts, and poker tournaments of Labor Day weekend check out the recap here.

The last weekend of the summer means your last chance for Hamptons shopping. The boys of Lola, born and bread in the Hamptons, have you covered with their new line. GuestOfaGuest has been covering them all summer if you’re unfamiliar with the crew.

Friday, TheEastEnd will be heading to Sunset Beach for a night of drinking and eating.  If you've never spent your night at Sunset don't miss your chance.  The French staff would never dream of asking you to get up once you’re finished eating. Drink and relax as long as you like.  Ask to be seated in the “Sandbox” which is the outdoor section that is all beach sand.  After eating you can hang out by the massive fire pit in the corner.

Saturday is the infamous Drink Dune Dry.  Dune s famous for having one of the best-stocked bars out east.  On the last Saturday of the season they let you have your pick as they go open bar all night.  Try Zygo vodka on the rocks.  Its peach and energy infused and is so sweet a mixer isn’t necessary.  Dune, Honey, and just opened The Hill, are some of the only places in the city where it can be found.  Also check out Lucid Absinthe.  It's the most authentic absinthe anywhere in the world.  We promise this is the best time you’ll have at Dune all summer.

If that all sounds good but you didn't plan on coming out, ping us at theeastend@theeastend.net and we'll try to set you up with lodging.

See you out,

-TheEastEnd

Labor Day Weekend Recap:

Friday was the Bluparty, where Bluhammock's stable of artists rocked the stageat the Hytme house. We were introduced to Balvenie 20 year old  scotch...seriously...try it.


Saturday Rufus Wainwright charmed the crowd at the LastSong of Summer. The socialite mob squad was in attendance with Luigi Tadini, Dalia Oberlander,Amanda Hearst, and the beautiful Marisa Bregman co-chairing the event.



Kettle-One provided the classiest Ice Luge we’ve ever seen.  If you can’t tell, the entire bottle was made of ice.  Vodka was pored in at the top, dripped through the ice, and came out at the bottom into your cup.  Just like college.


Sunday was the 2nd annual Hampton Poker Challenge, which was the most fun we had all weekend. We were treated to drinks from VitaminEnergy and JackDaniel's, and entertainment from Hauet Living. If you've never read it, check it out.  The impresarios of Hamptons nightlife came out in full force for the charity event to benefit the Silver Lining Society.  Nicely done by GetTherePr.

This weekend is the Hamptons Classic, and while our more refined membership may be watching the horse show, the after parties are likely of more interest. 

Our picks for this weekend:

Friday
The blu Party

The 2nd annual blu Party will be a whose who of the music industry out east.  Put on by Bluhammock music, the live music will be great and their crazy list of sponsors will keep you happy all night. http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=35

Saturday
Day
Sheckys Girls Day Out
A five hour shopping experience/benefit.  If that’s your sort of thing:  http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=36

Night
The event of the weekend will be The Last Song of Summer with Rufus Wainwright. Amanda Hearst is one of the co-chairs if that gives you an idea of the type of thing we’re talking about.  http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=21

Sunday
Day
Hamptons Classic VIP Tent
Just like Polo, down to everyone ignoring the horses http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=40

Hamptons Poker Challenge
Unlike Polo, everyone will be focused on the game. If you’re a poker player, this highly anticipated event is where you’ll want to be.  Luxury sponsors, professional players, and a charity are all part of the day that Get There PR has put together.  http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=37

Night
Dune
The after party to the Poker Challenge will be held at Dune.  Young DJ Jesse Marco will be spinning the party.  The boy wonder is one of the most sought after DJ’s in the city, and will definitely be throwing it down on Sunday  http://www.theeastend.net/event.php?event_id=38

In our weekly post of fashionistas on the train...Where's Waldo?

This weekend was the Red Cross Evening of Luxury.  Rand put on quite the event at the Stone Meadow Farm Estate, formerly used for the Carey/Cannon wedding celebration.  Photos of the step and repeat are here.  Maserati unveiled the Gran Tourismo S and the 2009 Quattroporte S

 

Other sponsors included Blue Star Jets and the most absurd golf cart we've ever seen,




We were also introduced to Quintessentially, a concierge service with a members only web-site.  A feature we find particularity interesting at TheEastEnd.

Last Friday DownByTheHipster reported that Pink Elephant had filed for bankruptcy along with Mansion.



We asked around to find out if this would affect Pink Southampton.  An EastEnder laid it out like this:

Pink Manhattan sub-leases from Bruce Dunston.  Bruce Dunston filed for bankruptcy, not Pink.  We are told that Pink won't be affected.  Pink South is a separate business altogether and is even further removed from the problem.

So Pink isn't in bankruptcy, but it would seem that if the lease holder is in bankruptcy, then worst case the sub-lessees aren't kicking enough money upstairs.  Best case, the venue (along with the cabaret license that came with the building) is in danger.  Buying out the Capri and the other 2 hotels is in the HRH Group seems like a bad prospect when the primary venue is on shaky ground.  Then again, Pink Elephant is a brand that has managed to move uptown and out east. Another move shouldn't be a problem.

On the way out east, we are constantly amazed by the way people are dressed on the train.  Do they go to work like this or do they do a quick change before taking a jaunt on the train?  In either case we will be chronicling these vanguards in a new series called, Steerage Class.  First up:



The guy's face on the left says it all.

Over the weekend everyone was debating whether former Pink Elephant Hamptons doorman and current Tenjune doorman, Aalex Julian, should have apologized for the Blackbook interview.  If you haven't had a chance, check out both. NYMag has a great run down of the more eyebrow raising comments. 

More than one quote was likely taken out of context, so why embarrass him with an apology?  Shadow PR handles both Tenjune, where Aalex is currently the doorman, and 1Oak, which received a ribbing in the interview.

We reached out to Shadow to find out if anyone was actually offended by the article except their own clients, and why Aalex wasn't at Pink this summer.  They had no comment.

Weekend Update:  Gossip Girl premiere party and Rock The Farm

Your first stop on Saturday should be the blow-out Gossip Girl season premiere party at the EMM Group’s, The Estate in Sag Harbor. It's going to be HUGE, red carpet and all. I'll keep you posted on where Penn, Blake, Chace and the crew end up late night.

In the meantime, there's Rock the Farm, put on by Nick Kraus (of the Talkhouse fame)-it's part deux of Rock the Hamptons and will feature music by local favorites like Nancy Atlas along with The Spin Doctor’s Chris Barron. Ed Burns' band The Blue Jackets is playing, and then excitement is already brewing about the promise of a "special musical guest." One who has a real yen for islands and margaritas...

See you there!

We know we told you that La Playa was fated to become STK.  A very reliable EastEnder sent us a note to provide some insight into the troubled Pink Elephant/Capri Motel relationship.  Apparently the owners of Pink, David Sarner & Bobby Montwaid, are on the outs with Capri Motel owner David Waksman. The contract to use the Capri as the summer home of Pink Elephant expires at the end of the summer 2009.  To complicate the matter, Waksman is looking to unload the Capri and the other two hotels in the Hamptons Resorts and Hospitality group.  While the Pink team may be willing to take over the Capri, taking over The Bentley and The Atlantic is a stretch. 

The two other hotels are located somewhere along the highway where we've never stopped and, if they look like the Capri, are places we would never stay.

It appears that the involvement with La Playa is a hedge against losing the Capri space.  If the Capri is sold, the party will move to a (hopefully) renovated La Playa.  If the Capri remains Pink, we might get a steak house.

UPDATE:  An EastEnder wrote to tell us that while the Capri is up for sale, Pink's lease is not up next summer.  This would mean that even if the three hotels are sold to another buyer, the club would likely continue to operate.

Send tips to tips@theeastend.net

Everyone was speculating this weekend as to what the Montauk Monster is.  If you missed this Gawker story, some...thing...washed up on the shore in Montuak near Surf Lodge and it has the media all a flutter. CNN's coverage is jam packed with unintentional humor. 

Image via Gawker

There has been rampant speculation as to what this beast of the sea is.  Our favorite is that it is an escapee from the Plum Island Animal Diseases Center; a high security facility to study god knows what.

Image via UCLA via The Wall Street Journal

There have been reports over the last few years that this facility is dilapidated  and unsafe.  A Wall Street Journal article from January 8, 2002 stated, "The island has no wildlife, and no animal leaves Plum Island alive. Even the deer that swim onto the island are killed. People at the Agriculture Department call Plum Island "Alcatraz for Animal Disease."  So either their animal snipers had an off day...or Gawker knows how to stage a prank.

Hey East Enders,

This weekend was all about the cast of Gossip Girl, and as this is a topic near to my heart, I’ll give you all the details.

Everyone went to the opening day of Bridgehampton Polo last Saturday. Chace Crawford was spotted talking to an Us Weekly reporter who asked, point blank, if he was gay.  This resulted in getting herself kicked out of the event by furious publicists.  Strange faux pas for such a classy mag.

The real action happened later on in the evening at Casa El San Juan, the Hamptons estate of Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss. They hosted a private party for Chace to celebrate his birthday, and the whole Gossip Girl team was in attendance.  Blake and Penn were all over each other the entire night, which was a nice blur between fiction and reality. Chace sang along to Biggie’s “Juicy” and played drinking games with Lydia Hearst and one-hundred of his closest 80-pound model friends.

Later on at Dune the scene was hot as usual: people walked around with lit sparklers, models made out on the banquette, and some rich guy showered the people on the dance floor with $1,000 worth of singles.  I saw at least three girls in HIGH heels expertly swipe the money off the floor.  It’s as if they had practice.

Stay tuned for some serious juice I have leaking out from behind the velvet ropes of Lily Pond. You East Enders have been great at feeding me the inside scoop, and I will dutifully report it back to you as soon as I can.

Yet another East Ender (you guys are everywhere!) says that the Real Housewives of New York City will be taping a segment for season two of their show at the “Help For Orphans” benefit in Watermill on July 25. If you’re dying to get your fifteen seconds of reality television fame, you can get your tickets here: www.hamptonsbenefit.com. You know, for the orphans.


Happy weekend!

Xoxo,
Gossip Girl

Send tips my way at gossipgirl@theeastend.net

Hey East Enders,

A source tells me that Tavern, turned Stereo On The Shore, turned La Playa, is turning STK next summer.

Word is that STK will be taking over the space as a steak house.  The Southampton location will join its NY and LA counterparts with Miami and Vegas locations in the works.  While I like the prospect of a new restaurant choice, cutting the three nightlife options down to two is disheartening.  However:

STK upstairs + Tenjune downstairs = STK on Tukahoe + Pink Elephant down the street  

It does seem like a wining formula.

David Sarner & Bobby Montwaid, owners of Pink Elephant, teamed up with Eugene Remm and Mark Birbaum this summer to run La Playa.  Whether the four are still partners in this venture is unclear, but it would seem likely.

If you’re wondering why the venue seems to have a case of schizophrenia, you can blame that on Southampton.  Just barely tolerant of the nightlife venues, they keep a stranglehold on liquor licenses and the venue they’re attached to.  You can’t just apply for a liquor license; you need to purchase a venue that already has one.  Instead of a new spot, things get recycled into…steak houses.

We’ll keep you posted.

-Gossip Girl

If you hear anything, send tips my way at gossipgirl@theeastend.net

Could the fourth of July holiday weekend have been any hotter?  Summer is now in full swing—and that means everyone from the pundits (a surprisingly small George Stephanopoulos) to the media barons (New York Observer publisher Jared Kushner with on-again gal pal Ivanka Trump) to the stars (as I mentioned in my text, P.Diddy) were trolling around the Hamptons.

Then there’s Ed Burns, the A (or is it A-) list actor/producer/writer/director who most recently produced HBO’s Generation Kill.

Did you know he’s in a band? Well, he is. They’re called the Blue Jackets, and one of my spies ran into them as they were about to play a gig at The Stephen Talkhouse.

So, which does he like better, film or music?

“I love making movies, of course,” he stated, “But who wouldn’t want to be in a rock band?”

Exactly how many beers does it take for Eddie Burns to decide he wants to be a rockstar?

“I wouldn’t exactly call myself a rock star!” he laughed before adding, “But the beer was always flowing—still is—when we get together and make music.” 

His wife, Christy Turlington, was nowhere to be seen. Of course this report made my gossip antenna shoot up almost as high as my July 4th celebratory blood-alcohol level. Was there trouble in paradise? Groupies galore? Messy divorce on the horizon?

For now I’ll assume she was just at home with her two kids, Grace and Finn. According to a Talkhouse insider, “Christy is at most of Ed’s shows and is really supportive. They seem absolutely great together.”

Maybe his “encore” said it all—after dutifully helping the rest of the band break down their set, and saying hello to his waiting fans, he slugged one last Amstel and snuck out the back door.  Headed home like a good guy would…or so I would imagine.

Hey East Enders,

Quite the holiday weekend.  I have plenty of action to tell you about on the social side of things, but first let me fill you in on the story everyone has been writing me about.  If you find yourself having to “share” a house this summer, you may be interested in what the police are up to. 

The first house to be taken down was 770 Montauk Highway in Quogue.  A bright and early raid on Saturday morning found more than a few East Enders snuggled up together. My sources are still out on who was running the place, but 49 occupants were allegedly “sharing” the house.

 
The second house was 40 Station Rd in Westhampton. From the map it’s unclear which house is 40 Station Rd, but my money is on the one with all the cars parked outside… and that brings us to the question on all of your minds.  Is my house going to be raided?

The good news is that the police aren’t actively seeking out share houses.  They did however pass a law last year that makes it easier for them to investigate a house that has been brought to their attention.  So all you have to do is behave.

Do not cause noise complaints.  That’s how the town gets alerted to the house in the first place.  Keep music down, and completely off past 9PM.  Get to know your neighbors and give them your number so they can call you instead of the police if there is a problem.

Once they’re alerted to a house the first thing they look for are cars in the driveway.  It’s the easiest means of identifying a share and obtaining a warrant.  You may have the same number of cars as bedrooms, plus 1, parked in the driveway.

If you can’t seem to play adult, then you might just have a good morning surprise next time your out east. But don’t worry; I hear the Jersey Shore is lovely this time of year.

-Gossip Girl

Hey East Enders,

Hope you're enjoying the weekend.  Quick heads up, 780 Montauk Highway  was raided by the police last night. Rumor has it another house will be raided early tomorow morning.  If you're in a share, sleep with your bag packed.  I'll let you know which house gets taken down tomorrow. 

Hello East Enders,

It’s here, the very height of summer, the 4th of July!  The anticipation is palpable, the restaurants and clubs are ready, and so am I.   While you watch the minutes tick by until you can head out east; I’m sitting by the pool awaiting your arrival.  My spies are out in full force, in every house and in every hot spot, waiting to serve up the latest.  I hope you set up your phone because this weekend the updates will be coming in real time.

If you are one of our better-known users and find yourself at one of the many charity events this weekend, let me let you in on a little secret.

Hamptonite Donny Deutsch owns a $29 million East Hampton compound, complete with two pools, a pond, a waterfall, private beachfront, and double dune protection, whatever that means.

He was recently spotted at a Hamptons charity event being approached by a weekly magazine reporter.  Why Donny Deutsch is big enough to be interviewed is a mystery, but maybe he was the only “celebrity” at the event.

In the middle of her introduction, he stopped her cold, “I don’t really have time to talk” he said, brushing by her with twenty-something arm candy in tow, adding, “I’m here with friends just to relax and have a good time.”

When a celebrity (again, envision quotation marks) attends a high-profile event, it’s expected that he or she is available for to be interviewed, or at least graciously answer a few questions. It’s part of the game

So, what’s the big idea Donny?  Maybe you’re not cut out for the Hamptons life.

And that’s all the airtime he deserves. After all, with the Christie Brinkley scandalous divorce trial heating, we have bigger fish to fry. Until next time!

-Gossip Girl

Remember to send your tips to gossipgirl@theeastend.net, I’m especially interested in ones about your housemates activities this weekend.

The Clintons recently holed up in East Hampton at the abode of billionaire Thomas H. Lee.  While normally sailing around in direct spotlight, glad-handling everyone in sight, they were spotted doing nothing more than skulking around Wiborg Beach.  Chalk that one up to Hill’s political heartbreak—the Hamptons are the perfect place for the lovelorn to come lick their wounds. Just ask Renee Zellweger, who ended up buying a house here after her rather abrupt exit from her short-lived marriage to Kenny Chesney a few years back.

Under the radar also extends to the recent crop of burgeoning starlets. Unlike years past which were dominated by the underwear-free, there are up-and-comers on the Hamptons scene who know how to comport themselves as ladies.

Take for instance, Stella Keitel, daughter of Harvey and Lorraine Bracco. She’s a Lindsay-Britney-Miley contemporary, and arguably just as hot. The main difference? She doesn’t get naked (or nearly so for photo shoots), blow lines, or wheedle her way onto the Hollywood picture through her (extensive) family connections.

She was overheard saying, “There’s more to life than being in the public eye. If I really wanted to be there, I’d get a publicist, and wear a short skirt with no underwear. I’m just working my way up and trying to work hard.”

Now, isn’t that refreshing?

During June, beach weather can be hard to come by.  Finding ourselves out east on an overcast day, a group of friends got together to go wine tasting in the East Ends North Fork.  While the south fork has a winery or two, the north has it beat hands down.

Step 1: Call Ali at All Hampton Taxi (631)-287-2121, tell him you read about him on TheEastEnd.net

Step 2: Bring a bottle of wine.  The trip from Southampton to the North Fork is about 45 minutes so you should have something to keep you occupied.

Step 3:  Head to Rt 25, it is lined with wineries in easy driving distance

Step 4: Go Tasting

Winery: Corey Creek
Webiste: http://www.bedellcellars.com/cc_tastingroom.htm
Address: Main Rd., Rte. 25, Southold
Phone: (631) 765-4168
Notes: The young staff was very helpful and accommodating to our already tipsy state.  They seemed glad we were having a good time and happy to oblige.  Their deck overlooking the vineyard is great. Tastings, or “flights” were $12.

Winery: Clovis
Website: http://www.clovispointwines.com/
Address: 1935 Main Rd., Jamesport
Phone: 631-722-4222
Notes: The slightly elevated location provides a breathtaking view of a rolling vineyard from the back patio.  A classical guitarist provided the background music and was a nice touch to the atmosphere.  The young lady that served us was extremely knowledgeable, but on the abrasive side as we were snapped at to pay attention.  Of the vineyards we visited I felt the least comfortable kicking back and having fun, which I believe was intentional as they were catering to an older crowd.

Winery: Laurel Lake Vineyards
Website: http://www.llwines.com/aboutus.htm
Address: 3165 Main Road, Rte 25 Laurel
Phone: (631) 298-1420
Notes: By far the most lively of the vineyards.  A large space opens onto a covered deck crowded with boisterous parties enjoying the summer. The addition of a Moscato sparkling wine for $20 made this vineyard stand out above the others.  The wine was on the sweet side and quickly lost its carbonation, but for $20 a bottle it was a nice finish to the day.  

We took our bottles around the side of the tasting room and down to the vineyard where 5 Adirondack chairs faced the rows of grapes.   As we sat enjoying the wine, the view, and the sun, a 90’s cover band kicked in playing one hit wonders on the deck.  In the middle of Oasis’s Wonderwall, two of the girls in our party suddenly jumped up, threw off their dresses and took off down the vineyard topless. This seems like a perfectly appropriate response to drinking sparkling wine in a beautiful vineyard on a summer afternoon, but the owner felt differently.  He angrily stormed down and threatened to call the police if we didn’t leave.  He claimed that this was a “family” place, which is strange claim since serving wine to minors is illegal.  However, we obliged his request, putting a damper on what would have made this vineyard the clear winner on our tour.  Hopefully as the summer days roll on, the owner will lighten up a little as revelers enjoy his vineyard.  If you make it here, let us know how you fare.

Long Island’s easternmost reach—Montauk—has apparently replaced South and East as the place in the Hamptons where all the cool kids come to play. One of my little spies was at Surf Lodge the other night, not to be confused with the mellow post-beach must-go Surf Shack, newly opened on Napeague Stretch near Cyril’s. Surf Lodge’s kitchen is run by Sam Talbott, he of the lame appositive “Top Chef Hottie,” which is perennially attached to his name. There’s plenty to discuss about him beyond his delish crab ceviche he concocts with blueberries and popcorn of all things. We’ll save that for another time. Today, I’ll whet your appetites with something a little more savory: at Surf Lodge, said spy ran into Jason Lewis, another hottie of much bigger, ahem, proportions—that is, Sex and The City fame—and he dished about life and love.

For one thing, Jason is “totally single” and he looks for “curiosity and confidence” in a woman. When the spy asked if intelligence was another factor (after all, this is a hot, blonde former underwear model we’re talking about—does he have a brain, too?), he replied archly, “Usually I think that’s instilled with the confidence. Otherwise, it’s only arrogance.”

Well said, Jason.

The spy went on to ask if he wanted to get married one day if he were to meet the perfect person for him. “I think the whole perfect person thing would be really hard to live up to! I certainly wouldn’t want to hang out with the perfect person. That would be hell. I’d feel inadequate always,” adding, “I’m down with the fallibility.”

The burning question, aside from those surrounding his love life, had to do with the alleged rancor on the SATC set. Were Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall really ready to claw each other’s eyes out?

When my spy posed that question, albeit more delicately, Jason simply smirked. But when asked whom he liked working with best, he gave a surprising answer, which did not involve the show’s star (SJP) or his scene partner (Kim), who may or may not be at each other’s throats: “I think Cynthia Nixon is my favorite actor out of everybody. I think she’s phenomenal, and so consistently so. She’s so good. She throws herself out there, and so exposes herself.”

She’s also the most under-the-radar, a fitting choice for this unexpectedly down-to-earth and low-key guy.

If you have your own take on the Sex and the City feud, or anything else for that matter, don’t forget to email me at gossipgirl@theeastend.net.

As it becomes increasingly hard to keep it real in the Hamptons, it becomes exponentially easier to keep it reality.

Jill Zarin (star of The Real Housewives of New York) was recently seen on the set of Plum TV. She showed up with Ginger, her yipping Chihuahua, wearing matching "Team Jill” t-shirts.

Jill immediately commandeered a producer's sandwich (without asking), plucked out the meat, and fed it to the pooch. But this high-handed housewife doesn't think of herself as acting entitled, or a celebrity for that matter.  She was overheard saying, "The difference between me and a huge actor is that I'm not playing a role—I'm still me! I tell people to come over to say hi, rather than stare at me from across the room. Real celebrities don't do that." They know you're not a real celebrity Jill, that's why they aren't coming over.

The East End is also graced by Whitney Port, another "real" celebrity, who left The Hills for the Hamptons.  She was feted at the start of the season for landing the cover of Social Life magazine. The covergirl was seen late night running into the 7-11 in Southampton, dressed in her couture, to satisfy a late-night munchies craving of sour cream and onion potato chips.  If only MTV was in tow.

Port was out on the scene again Sunday, rockin' out at the Inocente Tequila launch party at Lily Pond.  Holding court (and holding hands) at the next table was Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush, of baby-got and running back fame.  They kept their, ahem, legions of fans at bay with not one, but two personal security guards.  While the fans might not be swarming, I imagine it takes at least that many to watch Kim K’s superstar back.

Hopefully these “celebs’” proverbial fifteen minutes are over fast, so we can go back to rubbing elbows with the true—and truly down-to-earth—Hamptons’ celebrities who've gone into hiding now that the reality train is careening out of control.

In the playground for the privileged called the Hamptons, we all play hard.  This revelry makes for great story-telling, and since I'm generous, I feel obligated to share.

While you are toiling in your cubicles, I'll be out east sitting by the pool, sipping a nice wine, recounting every weekend's revelries, transgressions, and deceits.  Most importantly I'll be warming you up for the exciting things to come.

I'm the eyes and ears of the Hamptons. I know socialites, celebrities, and most likely, I know you.

But don't worry—before you get your panties in a knot at the thought of your most recent tryst being aired out, remember this: you have to be important enough for me to care to write about you. And that remains to be seen.

So play hard this weekend, kiddies. I'll be watching.

Love,
Gossip Girl

p.s. you can send tips my way at gossipgirl@theeastned.net…