Dan's Papers - November 23, 2007 - Blue Parrot Redux, Almondito Goes Italian

Tex-Mex cuisine is returning to the center of East Hampton Town. On Main Street in East Hampton, behind the original Ralph Lauren store down the alleyway between the Chase Bank and Lauren's Polo store, the smell of burritos and the taste of cold margaritas on a hot summer day will return. Julie Stone, a producer for Victoria's Secret television specials, has purchased the lease of the Blue Parrot building from Lee Bieler, who had owned the restaurant for twenty-five years. Former Blue Parrot employees have been contacted about their availability to have the place up and running by spring. In order to keep the menu somewhat the same, Ricardo "Rico" Martinez will be back at the helm in a refurbished kitchen. He already knows how to prepare many Southern California Mexican cuisine specials that many patrons of the former Blue Parrot loved and craved. Perhaps the Tokyo Tacos will return for all who missed them last summer after the Parrot was closed down. Difficulties between Bieler, former leaseholder Ralph Lauren, the landlord and the Town of East Hampton stemmed from the proposed outdoor eating area. At the moment, Bieler is at his home in Hawaii and Ms. Stone is busy preparing the 7th Annual Victoria's Secret special.

The name of the new restaurant is yet to be decided, although the menu will be somewhat the same. No comment yet from Ms. Stone on what her long-term plan is, but there are at least seven years left on the lease. It is believed she paid between $650,000 and $800,000 for the lease, as the building is privately owned. I can't wait to see what she does with the place.

As one Mexican dining establishment is coming back to East Hampton another is "bidding adios," in the words of owners Eric Lemonides and Jason Weiner. Everyone is invited to Almondito's closing party on November 24, as the boys have promised tequila, taquitos and karaoke. Lemonides and Weiner are known for singing karaoke to songs from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the Bob Dylan songbook.

Weiner, who also is the chef, looks forward to the new Italian cuisine that the restaurant will present come late December when it reopens as Almoncello. The owners are proud to offer what they are calling a "relaxed Bologna trattoria, serving seasonally driven northern Italian fare without pretense, in keeping with our tradition of bringing honest rustic cuisine to the East End."

So in total Hampton style there is a twist of something new. At the place formerly known as the Blue Parrot - same chef, same basic menu, new owner and a new name. At Almondito - same owners, same chef, different menu, new name.