Dan's Papers - May 8, 2009 - Restaurant Notes, News and Special Offerings

With the weather getting nicer and the summer season approaching, restaurants across the East End have been busy getting themselves ready.

Celebrated East End chef, James Carpenter, partnering with Swedish sous chef Bjorn Ericsson, has been appointed executive chef of The Living Room, the new restaurant at redesigned c/o The Maidstone in East Hampton. The restaurant will open to the public over Memorial Day Weekend.

With a Slow Food kitchen - which aims to combat the idea of fast food - the new restaurant will focus on a commitment to food grown in the area, as well as the environment. "It is always rewarding to share the bounty of the local farmers," said Carpenter. "This spring, for example, I am looking forward to using all the beautiful locally grown ramps, asparagus, fava beans and sprouts." Carpenter was a pioneer in the Slow Food movement when he worked at premiere Hamptons locations such as the American Hotel in Sag Harbor and Della Femina in East Hampton.

Ericsson and Carpenter will work together to reinterpret Swedish classics. One example is the Maidstone cured smoked salmon tarte flambé with creme fraiche and capers - organic, sustainable-farmed salmon that will be cured using traditional Scandinavian techniques and served on a light flaky tart. On the dessert side of the menu, The Living Room will offer a Catapano Farms goat cheese tart paired with homemade ligonberry sorbet. The restaurant's Slow Food philosophy is also evident in its wine list, which offers East End wines as well as an array of eco-friendly wines from around the world.

For more information, go to www.themaidstone.com or call 631-324-5006.

Sag Harbor's B. Smith's will be opening for the season on Mother's Day, with a special brunch menu including such varied items as brioche French toast, a summer vegetable fritatta, warm lobster quiche, Grandma's homemade meatloaf, grilled spring rack of lamb au jus, and even BBQ vegetarian ribs. The restaurant will be open from 12 to 8 p.m.

Through Memorial Day, B. Smith's will be open for lunch from 12 to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, and from 6 to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

B. Smith's is located on the Long Wharf at Bay Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-5858 or go to www.bsmith.com.

The Inn Spot on the Bay will be celebrating Long Island's wine traditions with a wine dinner on May 8 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will feature some of the masterpieces created by winemaker Roman Roth, including his Claetto Amarone 2005, paired with culinary delights from Cheffe Colette. Menu details can be found at www.theinnspot.com. The Inn Spot on the Bay is located at 32 Lighthouse Rd., Hampton Bays. Call 631-653-0006 for additional information.

In other restaurant news, Matto, in East Hampton, has been awarded one of the highest hospitality awards in the world - the Five Star Diamond Award from The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. Matto is the only Hamptons restaurant to be awarded this honor. Also, Matto's Executive Chef Giovanni Zuanon was awarded a medal as a young culinary entrepreneur.

The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences is renowned worldwide for awarding excellence in the global travel and luxury services sector. Each year it bestows its coveted Star Diamond Award exclusively on five star establishments throughout the world that are deemed to be of pinnacle quality. The award is the most prestigious emblem of achievement.

"We are honored to receive this award from the world's leader in hospitality. It is very gratifying to be recognized for our attention to detail in both service and cuisine, as we are dedicated to providing our customers with the best experience possible at Matto," said owner Lidia Buonanno.

For more information on Matto, call 631-329-0200 or go to www.mattorestaurant.com.