Dan's Papers - January 16, 2009 -

Almoncello, in East Hampton, and Grappa Wine Bar, in Sag Harbor, both received favorable mentions in a recent New York Times round up of the best restaurants of 2008. Joanne Starkey calls them "two of the best debuts" in the Hamptons. Almoncello, which was also ranked #8 in Newsday's list of the Top 20 restaurants to open in 2008, is now closed for the winter and will reopen for Easter in April. Their popular Saturday night karaoke now takes place at Almond in Bridgehampton starting at 10:30 p.m. For details about Almond, call 631-537-8885. For information on Grappa, call 631-725-0055.

Bedell Cellars will be featured at a wine dinner on Friday, January 16 at 7 p.m. at La Plage Restaurant in Wading River. Cost of the six-course menu with paired wines is $90 per person, plus tax and tip. The menu includes: porcini consomme, foie gras, parsnip with Taste White "Artist Label" 2007; wild mushroom, porcini crostini, smoked beef carpaccio with Bedell Chardonnay 2007; porcini, bacon, red wine, organic egg en cocotte with Cabernet Franc 2006; halibut, porcini, gnocchi, leeks, carrots, Sunchoke ragout with Taste Red "Artist Label" 2006; buttermilk poached organic chicken, celery root purée, truffled porcini and parsley coulis with musée "Artist Label" 2006; and porcini port crééme brulée with Late Harvest Riesling 2007. For reservations call 631-744-9200.

Don't forget to get stop by the "Ladles of Love" food drive and fundraiser with your donations for the East End Food Pantry Network on Saturday, January 17. The event kicks off at noon at Art of Eating, 74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett. For $49 per person, guests may contribute to a great cause and have a great time at "Soup Kitchen Ladle Out" from 6 to 10 p.m. Local restaurants will ladle out their best soups, chilis and chowders to live music. Passes are now available to purchase at all Bridgehampton National Bank locations. All proceeds go to benefit the East End Food Pantry Network. To purchase a pass or for more information, call 631-267-3312 or visit www.ladlesoflove.com.

Stonewalls Restaurant in Riverhead will host a five-course dinner featuring wine from Castello di Borghese on Friday, January 30 at 7 p.m. Cost is $75 per person plus tax and gratuity. The menu includes: warm duck foie gras, golden delicious apple, port reduction with 2006 Reserve Fumé Blanc; lobster ravioli, sauce nantua with 2007 Chardonnay; Pennsylvania certified organic chicken, morels sauce, creamy risotto with 2005 Pinot Noir Reserve; rack of lamb provenccale, provencale herbs and mustard crust with 2004 Cabernet Franc Reserve; and chocolate-hazelnut mousse cake with Allegra. To make a reservation, call 631-506-0777, ext. 4.

East Wind in Wading River hosts a Valentine's dinner dance on Saturday, February 14 from 7 to 11 p.m. The evening features a four-course dinner, four-hour open bar, and dancing to DJ Tommy's Tunes in the Grand Ballroom. Reservations are required and groups are welcome. Cost is $59.95 per person plus tax and gratuity. The menu is as follows: crisp romaine bouquet wrapped in prosciutto, grape tomatoes, shaved romano, and Caesar dressing; ravioli hearts with five cheese ravioli, plum tomato, basil sauce, and garlic cream; cupid's duet entrée with grilled tenderloin medallions and garlic crusted gulf shrimp, au gratin potatoes, asparagus bouquet and champagne beurre blanc; and molten chocolate kiss soufflé, créme anglaise and Godiva chocolate. For reservations call 631-929-6585.

Tierra Mar in Westhampton Beach will celebrate Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14 with a three-course prix fixe dinner from 6 to 11 p.m. Cost is $35 per person for the dinner menu and $50 per person for the menu paired with wines, plus tax and gratuity. Menu selections include: oysters three ways - grilled local oyster, warm poached oyster, shucked local oyster; beef short ribs braised in Merlot mole, steamed organic greens and parsnip puréée; cedar plank roasted salmon, Vermouth butter, oven roasted organic root vegetables and organic brown jasmine rice; and chocolate trio - white chocolate crepe, chocolate hazelnut marquis, chocolate covered strawberry. For more information call 631-288-2700.

Participants have begun signing up for "Hamptons Restaurant Week" slated for Sunday, March 29 through Sunday, April 5. For eight days, all participating restaurants offer a three-course prix fixe for $24.95 all night except Saturday when it will only be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Each restaurant will offer a unique three-course menu and some will offer special $24.95 bottles of local Long Island wine from participating vineyards. "Hamptons Restaurant Week" is not only a restaurant campaign but also invites local wineries, lodging and retail businesses to participate. For more information, visit www.hamptonrestaurantweek.com or call 631-329-0050.