8 New Restaurants Open This Summer in the Hamptons

Each summer, a fresh crop of Hamptons restaurants shoots up like corn, many on the bones of restaurants that shuttered the previous year. This season is no different, with New York favorite Il Mulino set to make its premiere out east, along with a pizza place from acclaimed French chef Laurent Tourondel, among several other noteworthy newcomers. Here’s a rundown of what’s hot and new this summer.

Southampton

Maison Vivienne

A new French restaurant with a white interior, black floors, and an abundance of flowers enters the Southampton scene this season with chef Florian V. Hugo at the helm. The Provence-born chef is a descendant of writer Victor Hugo and formerly owned Maison Hugo on the Upper East Side and worked with Alain Ducasse at the Essex House. Here he’ll be preparing some of his native dishes, including salad niçoise using seared local yellow fin tuna sprinkled with coriander seeds over green beans, purple potato and quail eggs; pissaladiere, a Provencal version of individual thin-crust pizza with onions, olives, anchovies, and chive flowers; and short ribs braised in wine and herbs. 136 Main St., near Post Crossing, Southampton; (631) 500-9276

Claude’s

The Southampton Inn has scored veteran James Carpenter for its restaurant Claude’s. The chef, who previously ran the kitchens of the Living Room in East Hampton and Centro in Hamptons Bays, will use vegetables and herbs from the hotel’s garden. Breakfast will have items ranging from blueberry pancakes to eggs Benedict, with lunch focusing on summer soups and salads and dinner on such dishes as grilled Berkshire pork chop with tomato apricot chutney, potato puree, and kale. 91 Hill St., near Varadian Way, Southampton; (631) 283-6500

Water Mill

Culaccino

Jon Albrecht, a former chef de cuisine at Tutto ll Giorno, has taken over the 65-seat space that was the longtime home of Mirko’s where he will open his own place in mid-June. He plans to serve seared octopus, wild boar chop, and pan-seared halibut among other dishes, and all desserts will be made in house. 670 Montauk Hwy., near Old Mill Road, Water Mill

Sag Harbor

Sag Pizza

BLT creator Laurent Tourondel, who owns LT Burger in Sag Harbor, has turned the town’s local pizza spot into a more sophisticated Neapolitan-style parlor. He’s brought an oven from Naples and will be using local ingredients along with his proprietary blend of flours, and plans to serve his pies alongside pasta and gelato. Look for an early June opening. 103 Main St., near Washington Street, Sag Harbor; (631) 725-3167

Photo via Hooked

East Hampton

Il Mulino

The iconic Italian restaurant, with a flagship in the West Village and locations from Miami to Aspen, has opened in a large house that sits on Georgica Pond. Look for the brand’s classic pastas like capellini alla arrabbiata, salt-baked fish, and meat dishes such as filet mignon with shallots, sage, and wine. 108 Wainscott Stone Rd., near Montauk Hightway, East Hampton; (631) 658-9122

Montauk

Hooked

Brian Mooney, who worked at the Clam Bar in Napeague for 24 years, has opened his own spot, serving up lobster rolls, fried calamari, steamed mussels, chowders, seafood salads, whole steamed lobsters, and veggie burgers. Food is ordered at the counter and served on picnic tables out front. 34 South Etna Ave., between South Essex and Edison streets, Montauk; (631) 668-2111

George’s Lighthouse Café

The state park facility has been spruced up by Mike Torreiro, who founded the catering service Picnic in the Park. There is a full bar and live music to go along with the American menu featuring shrimp and steak kabobs, tacos, lobster mac and cheese, crab cakes, and steak, lobster, and shrimp burritos. 2000 Montauk Hwy., near Lighthouse Road, Montauk; (631) 668-2058

Salt Box

Restaurateur Jon Krasner has partnered with yoga teacher and former Navy Beach manager Lauren Musselman and Josh Mazza (Seamstress in NYC) to bring a healthier bent to his hopping Montauk boite. Vegan dishes such as crispy cauliflower and Baja tofu tacos have been added to the menu, which will still offer burgers and steaks for the carnivores. 99 Edgemere St., near Euclid Avenue, Montauk; 631.238.5727