Our shortlist of the community's dining, clubs, lodging, beaches
and shopping turns out to be, well...not so short.

West of Southampton is the hamlet of Hampton Bays and the bucolic towns of Quogue, Quiogue, East Quogue and Westhampton Beach, offering such Hamptons mainstays as the Atlantic rollers and open-air cafés, minus the Rodeo Drive-ish feel growingly associated with a few of these villages' eastern counterparts. The westernmost Hamptons are increasingly popular among high-profilers who prefer a softer spotlight (Michael J. Fox, Anderson Cooper and Tina Brown all call Quogue home), and who wouldn't want to spend less time on the cortege that is Highway 27 during the summer months? Laid-back oceanside living just over an hour from New York and "scene" detox are a few reasons we plan to program these outposts into our GPS this summer.

Restaurants and Food The site of a former speakeasy, Stone Creek Inn, 405 Montauk Hwy., East Quogue, 631-653-6770, was masterfully renovated and now serves French Mediterranean fare in a romantic setting. If authenticity is what you seek, don't miss the classic Marseilles-style bouillabaisse. A slice of the Southwest is found in East Quogue at New Moon Café, 524 Montauk Hwy. East Quogue, 631-653-4042, which offers barbecue and Tex-Mex food in a semi-rustic setting that tends toward the noisy-even when there isn't live music. Best bets include the mesquite-smoked brisket and the kids' menu. The Patio at 54 Main, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-0100, has a relaxed bar and local bands that perform on weekends. If you're looking for spacious outdoor seating, Margarita Grill, 83 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-5252, has plenty of tables directly on Main Street, and margaritas to boot.

Sakura House, 540 Montauk Hwy., East Quogue, 631-653-9382, has great sushi for a quiet lunch, or for more of a scene, Tony's Asian Fusion, 357 Montauk Hwy., East Quogue, 631-728-8850, offers sushi, Chinese and Thai specialties in an authentic atmosphere. Famous for their breakfasts is the Hampton Maid, 259 East Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-728-4166, an inn overlooking Shinnecock Bay. The casual and new Sunset Café, 49 Sunset Ave., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-3010, features healthy, new-American baked goods, breakfast specialties, salads, wraps, sandwiches and soups, as well as organic coffees, cappuccinos and other java concoctions, along with free Wi-Fi service. A friendly staff and cozy setting make The Inn Spot, 48 Quogue St., Quogue, 631-653-0007, a lovely place to feast on Eggs Atlantique and Belgian waffles with maple butter. The Inn Spot on the Bay, 32 Lighthouse Road, Hampton Bays, 631-728-1200, sister to the Quogue location, is a bayfront restaurant and inn that offers year-round dinner and lodging by chefs Pam and Collette.

Indian Cove, 258 East Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-728-5366, serves traditional American cuisine, is right on the water and has fantastic sunset views. Beach Bakery Café, 112 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-6552, offers bagels, muffins, cakes and pastries around the clock during the summer. Everything is made on-site by a team of Dutch bakers and are kosher-certified by the local synagogue. Wind down a beach day on the large deck at Dockers, 94 Dune Rd., East Quogue, 631-653-0653, where fresh seafood and cocktails will sate a sun-steeped appetite. Sandy feet welcome. Chocolate-covered pretzels with peanut butter kisses, M&M's or crushed Oreos on top are just a few of the gourmet treats in which one can indulge at Main Street Sweets, 121 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-5753. For a great cook-out at home, couple superb steaks from Village Prime Meats, 495 Montauk Hwy., East Quogue, 631-653-8071, with August corn and tomatoes from Densieski Farm Stand, 10 Lewis Rd., East Quogue, 631-653-5221, one of the oldest farms on the East End. Also on offer is a strawberry patch ripe for the picking, mid-June through July. An alternative to an organic farm stand is Wild by Nature, 260 West Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-723-3071, which supplies a medley of fresh, natural foods. Located in a mock 18th-century castle, Casa Basso Inc., 59 Montauk Hwy., Westhampton, 631-288-1841, offers an atmosphere as authentic as its Italian dishes. Three cheers are due for the three stories of the Westhampton Steakhouse, 142 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-7161, which hold a restaurant, catering facility and nightclub. The signature steak is savory. Oaklands, Dune Road Shinnecock Inlet, Hampton Bays, 631-728-6900, offers waterfront dining with fantastic views overlooking the bay, inlet and ocean. They serve lunch and dinner, and indoor or outdoor seating is available. Get a taste of local flavor at Starr Boggs, 6 Parlato Drive, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-3500, whose menu features local seafood and fresh farm produce. While innovative seasonal creations are available, don't miss their classic dishes, such as crabcakes, almond-crusted flounder and swordfish steaks. If you're looking for a delicious burger or steak and fries, JT's Place, 26 Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-723-2626, is the place to eat. Sitting directly on the canal is Tide Runners, 7 North Road, Hampton Bays, 631-728-7373, which boasts live reggae music on weekends and a bar on the dock so you can boat-watch and booze in one sitting. Grilled prime meats and fresh seafood make for an innovative menu at Q Restaurant East, 47 Quogue Street, Quogue, 631-288-3463, which also provides on- and off-premises custom catering. When you want to spice things up, head to Funcho's Fajita Grill, 127 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-2408. This casual Tex-Mex restaurant offers both traditional and original items, such as the fully loaded Funchadilla. Eat inside or at outdoor picnic tables or order take-out from fresh seafood market and restaurant Brewsters, 252 East Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-728-3474. When you're planning a party, don't forget to invite Gloria Morch and the friendly staff of Gloria's Fine Foods & Catering, 30C Riverhead Rd., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-4680, who provide a unique array of food for events of every size, as well as set-up and cleaning services.

Trendy clothes from Free People, T-Bags and Splendid are among the offerings at Mint, 83B Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-0743, which is, appropriately, painted mint-green. Mustique, 132-7 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-6677, offers casualwear with a boho flair for beachy days and balmy summer nights. For outdoorsy types, Bungalow, 631-288-8444, 128A Main St., Westhampton Beach, carries a full range of sporting clothes, including Patagonia, North Face, and Meryll. Fahrenheit 451, 105 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-5724, is packed with designs from Rag and Bone, Marc Jacobs, Citizens for Humanity, Diane von Furstenberg and Vince. With boutiques sprouting up all over the East End, expect Calypso, 631-288-7208, 123 Main St., Westhampton Beach, to deliver on signature St. Barth's bright and beachy chic designs. Los Angeles-based ABS Allen Schwartz, 125 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1900, offers contemporary clothing and dresses for the urban jet-set. Tucked away behind it is Max & Gino's, 129 Main St., 631-898-0323, which carries a wide array of jeans, accessories and Havaianas flip-flops. For a wider selection of shoes, Shoe Inn, 123 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288- 0999, carries such lines as Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Tory Burch and Marc Jacobs. Casual and comfy are de rigeur at Shock, 99 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1772, and for sleek intimates, Sweet Anezkas Lingerie, 120 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-2612, boasts a selection of exclusive lines from France, Austria and England. Both Bohemian and more structured clothing in a range of sizes are on offer at Garcia Fashion Boutique and Fine Jewelry, 77 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1368, along with a playful selection of vintage and precious jewelry. Messina Jewelry, 103 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-2967, stocks not only fine and vintage jewelry, but Philip Stein Testar watches as well. If you can still remember 80s punk (or if you're young enough to look on the style as cutting-edge new), Sway, 96 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-5551, carries the Tripp line, clothes awash in studs, buckles and straps. Impulse for Men, 85 Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-5406, is a men's clothier specializing in casual men's sportswear from such lines as Tommy Bahama, Cole Hahn, Haupt and Alberto.

Unique & Fabulous, 5 Moniebogue Lane, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1572, has European jewelry and clothing for cognoscenti locals. Imrie Industries, 9 Moniebogue Lane, Westhampton Beach, 631-748-2311, is young contemporary clothing boutique that carries such names as Converse by John Varvatos, Frankie B. Jeans, Barbie tees, Pompey Beach bikinis, as well as lines by Scoop Beach, Fournerina Unique, and American Vintage. Beach Greenery, 83 A Main St., Westhampton Beach, 631-288-0648, is a quaint gift shop and full service florist offering a selection of items including, sunglasses, bags, jewelry, candles, soap, and the preppy Eliza B. line of flip-flops and belts.

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Hampton Style Archive