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July 15-31, 2008 Cover
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July 15-31, 2008


WINE & SPIRITS

Hit the Spots

(Page 2 of 2)

After we'd finished our Georgica Peach Martinis (vodka, lime, cranberry, peach), Brazilian bartender Diego insisted we try one of his signature fresh blackberry Caipirinhas. Although we were reaching our limit, the cocktail was hard to resist.

Our boozy crawl concluded at the famed Nick & Toni's, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The last cocktail to cap off the eveing was an appropriately mellow Maidstone Cooler (Ketel One Vodka, fresh mint, cucumber water), which helped wash down our last savory morsel of grilled Montazio cheese stuffed with bacon.

Having gotten a taste for the crawl, we set off the following night on another. The second marathon began at Almond in Bridgehampton where owner Eric Lemonides plied us with aperitifs made with gin, fresh lime and St. Germain elderflower liqueur. The light cocktails were the perfect match for one of the restaurant's grilled flatbreads, topped with goat cheese, house-cured duck ham and red onion marmalade. Fueled up, we moved on to stop two, romantic Water Mill hideaway Muse. Transfixed by the aquarium built into the bar, we sipped Shipwreck Martinis (Stolichnaya Vanilla, Midori and pineapple) and tasted an array of small Caribbean-spiced plates by talented chef Matthew Guiffrida.

Moving into Southampton, we hit Red Bar Brasserie, a clubby hotspot still going strong after 10 years in business. From behind the eight-stool bar, British mixologist Shaq prepared Pear Mojitos (Grey Goose Pear Vodka, fresh pears, mint and sugar), which were an amazing match for a light shrimp ceviche with sweet potato and yellow aji pepper sauce.

This more abbreviated crawl finished at Annona in Westhampton Beach, an unusual (and surprisingly popular) loft-like restaurant set on the second floor of a car dealership. The horseshoe bar looks down onto an array of pricey vehicles. Arrive early enough and you could purchase a Lamborghini or Rolls and then celebrate over dinner. We sipped cocktails made with Idol grape vodka and feasted on baby octopus roasted in a wood-burning oven. By the end of the second jaunt, the Crawlettes were hooked. Who needs a big party when you can just as easily crawl?

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