By Abby Tegnelia
After the Topping Rose House boutique hotel welcomed an eye-popping 500 people (at any given time, that is) to last year’s Mexican takeover weekend, the team expanded the festivities this year. The 22-room-and-suite Bridgehampton hot spot brings the tropical Riviera Maya—with help from its partner hotel Rosewood Mayakoba—to the Hamptons all summer long, including food, workout classes and a special weekend that’s not to be missed.
Like any good party, the Topping Rose House’s “Summer of Mexico” begins with the food, starting with star chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. “We went to Jean-Georges and said we wanted a pop-up restaurant over the course of the summer,” says Topping Rose House general manager Joseph Montag. “He suggested we open up an ABC Cocina. It opened June 22, the first full day of summer, in our poolside studio. It’s a full-service restaurant and our biggest offering of the summer.”
The menu—available weekends until September—is a delectable mix of Mexican favorites, including tacos that range from a mushroom vegetarian option to sour cherry mole pork and shaved beef with avocado. There are also lighter options such as fluke crudo and yellowfin tartare with avocado, and three types of margaritas.
The hotel’s Mexican ambience is not only an integral part of Topping Rose House’s summer fitness classes, but the workouts serve as a gateway for nonguests of the hotel—signing up for a $55 session (free for hotel guests) that includes an all-day pass to the spa, pool and ABC Cocina. The fun classes (all levels are welcome) run throughout the summer, and could be described as dance lessons that use an impressive lineup of props to sculpt long, lean muscles—all to the rhythms of sultry Latin music. These FitiZen classes are the brainchild of dancer Valeria Talve, whose passion is sharing her Mexican culture via her innovative workouts. “By combining dance, toning and sculpting with Latin-inspired music, FitiZen not only strengthens the body but also uplifts the spirit,” Talve says. “The workout is designed to improve not just physical strength and flexibility, but also mental clarity and overall well-being.”
The Topping Rose House will lean on its partnership with Rosewood Mayakoba for its Mexican takeover July 12 and 13. “They’re going to activate the entire property like their property in Riviera Maya, Mexico,” Montag says. “They have a lively DJ and cocktails—people really loved the drinks they made last year. The Rosewood Mayakoba is the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever been to, so this weekend will be really well done.” toppingrosehouse.com