July 15-31, 2008

WINE & SPIRITS

COCKTAIL CRAWLING THROUGH THE HAMPTONS

On that odd weekend when there's no fabulous event to attend, you might consider creating your own roving party-embarking, with a group of good friends and a designated driver, on a cocktail crawl Hamptons-style. Recently I joined a gaggle of gal-pals—the Crawlettes, I dubbed them—on two such mirthful adventures, putting away industrial amounts of fine food and drink.

Our East Hampton crawl began at the brand-new Kobe Club at Three Mile Harbor. We moseyed up to the 30-foot-long white zinc bar and, under the restaurant's high ceiling, kicked off festivities in high style with Deutz Champagne and a Samurai's Flight (four-ounce cuts of American, Australian and Japanese wagyu filets). We hoped the precious—and delicious—meat would fortify us for the martinis to come.

We took in a breathtaking sunset a few miles up the road at Harbor Bistro, drinking Hawaiian Martinis (coconut rum, pineapple juice) while savoring chef Damien O'Donnell's signature Poke appetizer (raw tuna, avocado, macadamia nuts, truffle soy, caviar). Never mind the view overlooking the boat basin, that bracing nibble is the real reason to stop here.

Next, we set off for Turtle Crossing, a popular barbecue joint on East Hampton's bustling restaurant row. As we strolled through the door, Katie Couric was just placing her takeout order. Owner Nancy Singer set us up with Pomegranate Margaritas made with prime 1800 reposado tequila. As we feasted on pulled pork and brisket, slowly smoked over hardwoods, chef Arthur Wolf told us about the time President Clinton, still in office, popped in to dine. The restaurant had only been given an hour's notice before the Commander-in-Chief arrived with his Secret Service detail and 50 well-placed guests, including Alec Baldwin and Steven Spielberg. The Crawlettes, meanwhile, declared the grilled corn on the cob slathered in garlic aioli the best they'd tasted.

Now it was time to check out super-sleek Wei Fun, a few doors up. At the glass-tiled bar, we sipped cooling litchi martinis while nibbling on spicy pork dumplings (the perfect match). Then it was on to Fresno, a vast inviting restaurant with a gorgeous crowd and beamed sky-lit ceilings.