Dan's Papers - July 3, 2009 - Review: Ziggy's Surf Shack

Whether you live in the Hamptons or you're lucky enough to come out here visiting, you know that once the summer hits it's all about being outside.

The good news is that, at Ziggy's, even if you're inside you feel like you're at the beach. Revisiting this clean, elegant yet casual restaurant with a very hip design, I was reminded of how they've managed to create an outdoor feeling: Lots of light, windows and high high ceilings, Lucite panels of beach grass, knee high fences, giant LED screens airing fantastic surfer videos. You feel like you never left the beach, except that you get to have fresh, light, food served to you, with not a grain of sand on it. In addition to that edge of the waves feeling inside, this season Ziggy's - a certified green restaurant - has added a beautifully landscaped outdoor seating area that will make you forget where you are.

Ziggy's offers food you can't get anywhere else - food that, as an ex-New Yorker who worked in the East Village, I really came to miss: freshly made falafel, hummus, babaganoush, as well as chicken, steak, shrimp and veggie kebabs served with fluffy herbed couscous with cranberries, chopped salad and warm, herbed pita. For my money, this is what Ziggy's does best.

The restaurant's offerings in this category are clean and fresh tasting - never stale or heavy.

The Mediterranean Eggplant appetizer was delicious. It included classic babaganoush, that creamy, smooth eggplant/tahini concoction, sautéed eggplant (chopped and sautéed in a fresh slightly sweet tomato sauce), olives and warm spinach pita bread. It's right on point. The Falafel Taster entrée ($17.95) could be had as a main course, but it's also great as a group appetizer. It's delicious - falafel, hummus, baba, warm pita, the perfect fix. The restaurant's hummus is so fine. If you think you've been getting good hummus by buying the stuff in the tubs in the dairy case - do yourself a favor and get reacquainted with the real thing.

But there are more offerings in addition to Mediterranean fare. Appetizers range from around $9 for chips and salsa to $17 for tasty, spicy, Peel and Eat Shrimp. When I've felt like making a more decadent choice, I've gone with the Island Coconut Shrimp - fried, served with mango chutney and delectable.

In addition to kebabs, entrées include New York Strip Steak and fries, fish and chips and pasta, ranging in price from $16 to $25. There are also the crowd pleasing Fat Boy Burgers 1/4 pound of Black Angus Beef; plus turkey or veggie burgers and pita sandwiches for lunch or dinner. There's a great selection of salads, from Greek to Caesar, served with or without grilled chicken or shrimp.

Desserts (all $6) include decadent concoctions with brownies and blondies, as well as cheesecake and vanilla pudding. The latter, served with whipped cream, chocolate sauce drizzled down the inside of the glass, and chocolate chips on top, did the trick.

With a full bar, Ziggy's offers good wines by the glass and bottle, a nice beer selection (including non-alcoholic) and fun summer cocktails. The Surf Shack also offers 2 for 1 margaritas all summer long.

A very kid friendly restaurant in the earlier dining hours, Ziggy's offers a full kids menu and an awesome playground in the back that's well cordoned off from the road and parking lot. Adults can sit and eat or have a drink watching the kids while waiting for dinner.

But later at night, Ziggy's transforms into a fun adult spot. The restaurant is ever evolving, trying new things on the menu and in the space. In addition to lunch and dinner, Ziggy's now offers brunch on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 10 a.m., with every type of omelet plus pancakes, French toast, and breakfast burritos. On Mondays, starting around 9 p.m., there's a jam session. Stop by to play, or do as the tagline reads: Drop in. Chill out.

Ziggy's Surf Shack. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner; brunch on the weekends. 964 Bridge/Sag Turnpike, Bridgehampton 537-6060. Ziggysbridgehampton.com