By Ray Rogers
For third-generation Sag Harbor resident Michael Nolan, opening Miracle at 29 Main Street isn’t a homecoming; it’s just home. Situated in the former Vin Sur Vingt space, the restaurant is a shared vision between Nolan (who cut his teeth at Miracle Grill in NYC in the ’90s) and his partner, lighting designer Helen Gifford of HelenBilt. Gifford has drawn on her London roots to craft a space inspired by traditional English pub culture—prioritizing intimacy and connection over spectacle. “This project is deeply personal,” Gifford shares. “Creating a space that feels enveloping and welcoming through the lighting and design is a means of extending culinary hospitality.”
Under the direction of chef Jesus Gonzales, the menu offers a polished interpretation of modern American cuisine. For Nolan, who co-founded the beloved neighborhood joint Fresno in East Hampton, this debut is about serving his community. “Opening in Sag Harbor isn’t just operating another restaurant—it’s coming home,” he says. The farm-to-table ethos shines in signature dishes like the Local Grilled Calamari Salad with napa cabbage and fennel, and the Poached Halibut featuring Montauk littlenecks in a burnt orange saffron broth.
Just steps away, a piece of Sag Harbor history is being lovingly preserved. John and Kelly Piccinnini—the local duo behind The Clam Bar—are taking the helm at the iconic Corner Bar at 1 Main Street. Their vision for the newly christened The Corner honors the restaurant’s storied past while ushering in a more modern sensibility. The mahogany bar is being polished to a high shine, and the forest green trim remains, but the menu is getting a thoughtful refresh. Alongside the signature burger, guests can expect modern comfort food and a tap list featuring local favorites like Kidd Squid and Springs Brewery. It’s a space designed to be timeless and familiar—a gathering spot that pays homage to the village’s maritime roots.
Down the road, Babe’s (babessagharbor.com) brings a “finer diner” concept to 51 Division Street that nods to nostalgia without sacrificing nutrition. Here, the farm-to-table ethos is front and center; expect your morning eggs to come from nearby pastures and your tuna melt to feature local, sustainable catches. For those seeking pure, plant-forward nourishment, the house chopped salad is a standout of seasonal simplicity.
Taking over the former Estia’s Little Kitchen space, SunLife Organics (sunlifeorganics.com) brings a menu of botanical-driven smoothies and bowls designed to fuel those early summer mornings.
The Piccinninis have also introduced Sett Coffee (settcoffee.com) at 136 Main Street in Amagansett, serving up artisanal pours and a specialty market of provisions and botanical sips like the naturally blue Ocean Blue Latte made with butterfly pea flower.
East Hampton gains a new year-round spot with Lion’s Nook Bar & Grill (lionsnook.com). Taking over the space at 10 Main Street in Parrish Mews, which formerly housed Rowdy Hall, Alex Rossi of Parioli Hospitality aims to bridge the gap between elegance and approachability. Named in tribute to early settler Lion Gardiner, the Nook pays tribute to the site’s heritage while offering a menu rooted in fresh local fish and seasonal produce. Rossi’s signature attentive service from Springs Tavern & Grill is expected to make this a fast favorite.
In Bridgehampton, raise a Phony Negroni mocktail or Fat Farmer martini to Almond (almondrestaurant.com) as the village institution enters its 25th year. The dynamic duo of Eric Lemonides and chef Jason Weiner has long been the gold standard for community-driven dining. Weiner’s unrivaled relationships with local farmers are the backbone of his French bistro-style menu, while Lemonides remains the quintessential host, welcoming guests with a warmth that has anchored this East End mainstay for a quarter-century.
The energy shifts toward the Mediterranean at Talya Montauk (talyarestaurant.com) which has found a new, sun-drenched home at 148 South Emerson Avenue. Expect a refined coastal experience where Greek-inspired flavors meet the Montauk shore. The whole branzino and heirloom cauliflower salad are light, clean and a perfect way to refuel after a day on the water at Ditch Plains. Nearby at the docks, the new Lobster House & Clam Bar at Gosman’s (gosmans.com) preserves the laid-back Montauk soul. Under the culinary direction of chefs Tony Cruz and Eddie G, the menu pulls directly from the boats, featuring lobster tacos and mussels in white cream sauce—a pure expression of waterfront dining sourced just steps from the kitchen.
At the Capri Hotel in Southampton, the spirit of Saint-Tropez arrives with Maison Close (maisoncloserestaurant.com). Under the direction of chef Geoffrey Lechantoux, an alum of Alain Ducasse’s Michelin-starred kitchens, the menu celebrates organic, locally sourced ingredients. The tuna tartare with yuzu is a refreshing choice for an afternoon by the pool, echoing the effortless elegance of the French Riviera.
Canoe Place Inn (canoeplace.com) in Hampton Bays has appointed Michelin-starred chef Mathew Woolf—who has cooked for British royalty and helmed iconic kitchens from The Ritz London to the Rainbow Room—as executive chef, bringing nearly three decades of global culinary experience to the historic East End retreat this summer.
For a more festive indoor-outdoor social scene, The Ivy’s (ivyevents.info) pop-up in Water Mill blends Italian dining with high-energy entertainment, kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a performance by global dance music powerhouse DJ Ian Asher.