Dan's Papers - December 14, 2007 -Hampton Tradition XVII

Back in the day when the racetrack in Bridgehampton boasted the latest, fastest and costliest sports cars competing, the drivers needed a place to sip beers and kick back. In 1960, Kingsley Moore, a man with a great passion for auto racing, converted what was originally a produce store located at 62 Jobs Lane in Southampton into a pub for the racing circuit. He called the pub The Driver's Seat, and a Hamptons tradition was born. For many years Southampton locals and summer people alike have stopped in to eat from the basic menu and quaff a few beers. The stories of men betting their auto registrations over beers at the bar may well be true, but what is surely true is that there were men drinking beer at the bar. With a men's clubroom feel that still exists to this day, the wood-paneled walls and ceiling to convey a feel of a lodge more than a bar. Over the long bar is a copper ceiling, the only non-wood exposure besides the huge stone fireplace in the back dining room. Many families have stopped in for steak, chicken and hamburgers over the years to sit in the cozy booths. In the summer there is an open-air bar that percolates into the early hours of the morning serving nourishment to a very glamorous collection of Hampton visitors and locals. But it is the inside bar that seems to be the place where the men still gather to drink, relax and kick back. Women are welcome, and in fact many women meet at the bar for drink also, but there are no doilies in this establishment.

Behind the bar will most likely be Tommy Alexander, working on his third decade of serving the clientele at The Driver's Seat. He recalls fondly the former owners he has worked for saying Doug Murtha, John Barnhill, Kim Kingsley and the late Bobby Milligan were stand up guys. Patrons describe Tommy as happy, polite and joyful and a damn good drink mixer. The bar has two flat screen TVs at each end to watch the latest sports action. On tap are Guinness, Bass Ale, Blue Point, Stella Artois, Sam Adams, Blue Moon, Peroni and Yuengling. The house white wines consist of a pinot grigio, chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and a feisty Riesling. The house red wine list consists of a Pinot Noir, a zesty Chianti, a Malbec, a Cabernet and a Shiraz. Tommy pointed out that the new owner, Irma Herzog, has done a tremendous job of preserving the traditional feel of The Driver's Seat since taking over in 2005.

Irma Herzog, a local for over 20 years, has chosen to make The Driver's Seat a continued success by not changing a thing. With the help of new head chef Hortensia Martinez and 30-year veteran chef "Bobby T," the food is always consistent. Irma loves the building, the location and the clientele. "The same people have been coming here to dine for a long time," she explained. "Very successful and famous people, who could eat anywhere, choose to come here. I feel it is my responsibility not to fail them with the food and service they are used to." To this aim the waitress staff is polite and attentive. Lauren Isenberg, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky, is a prime example of a perfect waitress tending to the loyal locals this winter at the Driver's Seat. Irma stressed that The Driver's Seat is known officially as Southampton's meeting place. Of course, Irma would not list the many celebrities who dine there because it is important to protect their privacy. But even a few Presidential candidates in this election cycle are regulars. The entrees are traditional and include prime rib, short rack of rib, steak, fish and chicken dishes. Irma has added by demand Mexican fajitas that are outstanding. They use official Yukon Gold Long Island potatoes to make their famous tasty mash potatoes. "They cost more but they are better for making mashed potatoes," explained the detail oriented Irma Herzog.

Of course, there is an extensive lunch menu anchored by the traditional hamburger. At the present time the hours are 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the kitchen Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday it's 11:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. During seasonal renovations, The Driver's Seat is closed on Tuesdays. The bar closes a bit later than the kitchen, depending on the discretion of the bartender.

You no longer need to be a racecar enthusiast to belong at The Driver's Seat. You only need to walk up the three steps to enter into this traditional Southampton meeting place where you always feel welcomed. The small town feel makes it so easy to sit down and just kick back.