Let's 'tauk Hamptons: a recap of my weekend in Montauk
One down, four to go. Weekends in Montauk, that is. I just returned from my first 48-hour Hamptons jaunt of the summer season. And, yes, it was everything that I had hoped for: Plenty of sun, debauchery, gorgeous scenery, fantastic people-watching and ogling, delicious seafood, and multiple hours spent at the beach. Both in and out of the water! Needless to say, I returned home with a sunburn from head to toe (literally), and celebrity-worthy "exhaustion."
Friday
Jane, Justin, and I hopped aboard the 6:17pm Montauk-bound LIRR (train). With an ETA of 9:07pm, this made for quite a long journey; especially when you consider that we put in a full day at work. But, luckily, the train arrived in Montauk on-time, and we were at our share house by 9:30pm. And, by 10pm, we were sipping cocktails al-fresco at The Surf Lodge.
Saturday
Having woken up before anyone in the house, I walked down to the beach with my camera...
On my way, I spotted this gorgeous backyard - with a dark-bottom pool - and could not help but snap a photo. I love how the "pool deck" is grass, instead of some sort of concrete.
Although it's been eight years, I'm still blown away by all of the vegetation that grows *naturally* in this part of the country. Hence why I took a picture of this ivy-encrusted telephone pole. (...You do not see this kind of stuff in El Paso, Texas!)
Perfectly-manicured lawns and violet hydrangea "pom poms" abound
Private beach
For a quick breakfast, we drove in to town and picked up some goodies at Montauk Bake Shoppe. I enjoyed an iced coffee and an egg white/veggie breakfast wrap. I highly recommend the glazed butterfly-shaped sugar cookies!
After we returned home to get ready for the day, we headed back towards town and parked ourselves at the public beach (...conveniently located next to The Sloppy Tuna, a beach bar and restaurant). Between drink runs to 'Sloppy and trepidatious dips in the chilly Atlantic, we enjoyed hours of 'fun in the sun.'
For a pre-dinner cocktail, Emily, Jane, and I headed to Navy Beach.
For dinner, we went to South Edison, a restaurant that I had been eager to try for about a year (click here for my review). All I'll say is that it did not disappoint...
What did disappoint, however, was where we went for cocktails post-dinner: Ruschmeyer's. OK, so I get the draw of this nautical/summer camp-inspired hotel (with a very popular bar and restaurant), but I have never been anywhere - Times Square and Hong Kong, included - that was more crowded. In my entire life. Just because I live in and love Manhattan does not necessarily mean that I love being sandwiched between wall-to-wall people. Drunk and sweaty ones, at that. Bottom line: The space and atmosphere here is fantastic. The crowd-control is NOT.
Sunday
Jane, Emily, and I woke up around 9am and went for an abbreviated beach walk. Upon our return to the house, we packed a day bag and headed back towards town, to the public beach. For a quick breakfast, we grabbed some coffees and egg wraps at local favorite, Joni's, and then made our way towards the water. Because Sunday was such a gorgeous day, we decided to take advantage of the perfect weather and catch a 5:30pm NYC-bound train (as opposed to leaving earlier).
For a late lunch, we made it a point to stop by Duryea's Lobster Deck to enjoy one of Montauk's best lobster rolls and waterside views.
Photo: www.localknit.com
Lobster roll on a sesame-seed bun, cole slaw, potato salad
Restaurants mentioned in this post:
Duryea's Lobster Deck fast-casual, waterside, seafood-centric + amazing lobster rolls
Joni's fast-casual, healthy and delicious breakfast/lunch offerings
Montauk Bake Shoppe fast-casual, old fashioned/Americana bakery
South Edison American cuisine, seafood-centric, smart casual
Nightlife/bars mentioned in this post:
Navy Beach great cocktails, chic-nautical theme, imbibe waterside, relatively less crowded than Ruschmeyer's or Surf Lodge
Ruschmeyer's spacious property that utilizes both indoor/outdoor space, twenty-something friendly, becomes overly-crowded on weekend nights
The Sloppy Tuna beach-side bar and restaurant, live music, frozen drinks
The Surf Lodge this is the spot that put Montauk on every young person's radar back in 2008 - good cocktails - lovely outdoor space
…
Until we eat again,
Lindsay, The Lunch Belle