Mike H.
Yelp
Beware of the hostess in need of an attitude adjustment.
A party of 6 on a Friday night, we had a 6:30 reservation made in advance. We arrived at 6, a half hour early. It's understandable if we couldn't be seated right away. But the hostess, offended that we dare arrive early, informed us we can come back at 6:30 sharp, despite a couple large empty tables outdoors.
So we took a walk. Amagansett is a beautiful town, so we didn't mind walking. We took a nice stroll and went back at 6:30, sharp. We walked in the door, and the hostess, clearly upset that we had returned, led us to a 4-top round table positioned against the wall in front of the Kitchen entrance. It was a horrible table, and in no way could seat 6 people.
My mother, the person taking our family out, voiced her displeasure with the table. It was a pretty shitty table. It's natural that you'd want a realistic table for six when you're about to drop a significant amount of money on a dinner for six.
The hostess was dismayed! How dare you - customer who wants me to serve you - be unhappy with this shitty table that you called a reservation for!
She responded to my mother, "I've fit 8 at this table before..." and let out a sigh of frustration. My mother then asked to see the manager, which prompted the hostess to stomp off back to the entrance of the restaurant without responding to her. Sheer disrespect.
After an exchange with the manager, which left an unsettled feeling in everyone's stomach, we were seated at a 6-top in the bar. The manager was unfriendly and begrudgingly acommodated us. You could tell she didn't care if were upset or not.
After this experience, there is nothing to complain about. The server was polite and attentive. Drinks and orders went quick and the water glasses never emptied.
The kitchen has its act together, creating great starters and entrees. w shared an order of Polenta Croutons, an Arugala salad with a viniagrette, and a steamed artichoke. The polenta was incredible, perfectly crispy on each end, but still creamy in the middle. The artichoke was steamed nicely and was still toothsome.
Our entrees were equally impressive. I had the Chicken Milanese, which came out crispy and delicious, and the salad on top was refreshing for the hot evening. My wife had a pork chop that she claims was the food highlight of her vacation on Long Island.
The bill came to over $300. My wife and I tried to take my mother and stepfather out for dinner, as a thank you for having us out to their place in the Hamptons, but it was no use so I was not privy to the final cost of the bill. However, I know it was at least $300, and for that kind of a price tag, the 20 minutes of disrespect and inconvenience was unnecessary.
My 61-year old mother didn't feel like going somewhere else at 7pm on a friday on a holiday weekend, so we stuck it out, and we were rewarded with great food.
I'll never go back though, simply because of my experience with the host and manager. If this is a family business, they conduct business badly. The need to pay that chef more though.
Oh, the Men's room was grimey and slippery, and the sinks were filthy. You could tell no manager has ever stepped foot in there.