the list collective

home

lists

about

contact

gift shop

David Netto: Designer + Contributing Design Editor, Wall Street Journal

An Insider's Guide To The Hamptons

ELAINE SAYS: The best, most reliable, most "inside" tour guide is clearly, someone who's spent their childhood summering in the very place you'd like to visit. That is, unless that person is David Netto, in which case it does, in fact, get better. Currently working on a book about his early life in New York and East Hampton [shhh...], David most definitely knows his way around the area. But understanding the essence of this beautiful spot on the map, is only half the story. Combining that innate sense with an incomparable eye for quality, is what makes David such a secret weapon. An interior designer with projects published in Vogue, Elle Decor and House Beautiful, I have long admired him for turning the children's furniture industry upside down with his groundbreaking, modern nursery designs. But even the busiest of people have to relax, so David, his very cool [if I may] wife, Liz and their two daughters, now based in Los Angeles, rest their weary summer heads in Amagansett and spend their days enjoying the rest of Long Island's East End. Yes, he's definitely getting the hang of life in LA but I suspect that these trips back home, help. If you want to understand David's unique point of view even better, take a peak at his website...particularly "the notebook" section [my favorite]. And if you want to take a walk in his flip flops [he's going to hate that line], check out his A-List and try a few of his secret spots.

 

STAY

1. East Deck Motel

DISCOVER | VISIT: East Deck Motel 40 Deforest Road, MontaukYou can’t actually book a room online, but start this way for a good aerial view—then it’s an archaic post office routine that involves sending a personal check, in an envelope postmarked March 1^st or after [you can book by phone after May 7^{th ;} you need the website to make sense of it all though]. Book your room well in advance, because this is THE place to hang out and observe the surfing scene at Ditch Plains…or if you are my wife, participate. We have a house in Amagansett but get a room at the East Deck for a couple of weeks every summer just to be a part of it. See you there?  

SHOP

1. Melet Mercantile VISIT: Melet Mercantile 102 Industrial Road, MontaukThis is just one of those things that have started happening in Montauk, the strangest and most charismatic of all the Hampton towns. It’s a shop—but it’s a gallery. It’s performance art too. This is a curated brilliant collection of jewelry, records, clothing, board games, painted wooden obelisks—hell, maybe one day he’ll have food. The point is, you don’t know what you’re going to find, but it will be genius. It’s too bad Andy Warhol didn’t live long enough to see this, he would never have left [photos courtesy, eric cahan for hamptons magazine]
2.  Steven Alan SHOP | VISIT: Steven Alan 75 Main Street East HamptonThere’s something about all the Steven Alan stores that feels regional and specific to a neighborhood, but this one in East Hampton is especially successful. It’s hip. It’s friendly. They’ve always got something new to make you feel chic at the beach. It’s also got Amanda and Phil running it, two of the most stylish and well-mannered kids in the game. So it’s worth a personal visit if you can—but if online is all you can manage, buy a couple of those smashing kikois and wear them instead of pajamas

 

EAT

1. The Clam Bar DISCOVER | VISIT: The Clam Bar 2025 Montauk Highway, AmagansettHands down one of the best places to eat on Long Island. Have seafood, obviously--though strangely the burgers are outrageously good as well, which no one can explain. Potato roll buns? Extra cute Irish and middle-European waitresses who should be tipped extravagantly, they’re only here for the summer and then it’s back to school
2. Shippy's Pumpernickel Restaurant VISIT: Shippy's Pumpernickel Restaurant 36 Windmill Lane, SouthhamptonAs a friend of mine with a house in Southampton says, “You can’t not smile when you think of Shippy’s!” (I’ve never heard anyone refer to it using the pumpernickel part, so just forget that.) This is an old-school joint for prime rib and a baked potato loaded with sour cream--It’s always been here, and pray God it always will be. Maybe even better for dinner on a winter’s night than in high season, when locals gather and whisper good stories about us to each other. Order a whiskey sour and doodle on your paper placemat
3. LT Burger DISCOVER | VISIT: LT Burger 62 Main Street, Sag HarborTheir website looks so good I figured I’d include it here. If we’re being strict about online, though, go to the Gallery section--and copy what you see there to make burgers more special at home. Then do make the trip to have dinner, it’s a jolly scene
4. Round Swamp Farm DISCOVER | VISIT: Round Swap Farm 184 Three Mile Harbor Road, East HamptonBest damn food out here for as long as I can remember, and it’s been awhile. Whenever you go to someone’s house in East Hampton who knows the best--and has nothing to prove-- you find Three Bean dip from Round Swamp – a mysterious layered creation presented in round aluminum foil consisting of beans, cheese, guacamole and sour cream. Now you can order it from wherever. What are you waiting for!
5. Jack's Coffee SHOP | VISIT: Jack's Coffee 146 Montauk Highway, AmagansettPurchase a pound of his Fair Trade coffee, a bottle of real maple syrup, or a vintage military jacket. Then invite me over for a cup please—it’s some of the best joe in the world

 

PLAY

1. Surf with Steve White CONTACT: Steve White (631) 537-1855Call or ask nearly anyone with a surfboard at Ditch Plains to point him out to you--he is basically the Mayor of that beach. Steve will make you a surfer, but it’s worth it just for the stories he tells nonstop through crashing white water, while accomplishing that. Dear, dear Steve
2. Duck Pond | Nature Trails VISIT: Nature Trails David's Lane, East HamptonSome of my fondest early memories of East Hampton are here, in what were once the water gardens of Mrs. Lorenzo G. Woodhouse. It’s a beautiful place to take your children to feed the ducks (cracked corn is better for them than bread), get lost on the woodsy trails, and take a picture of them standing on one of many small and charming bridges. Of course one of my favorite times at the Duck Pond  was walking through it with my briefcase after my wife didn’t pick me up at the train

more Escape lists

join the list collective

put your idea on the list

We love hearing from you. Share your favorite people, places, products and services and get listed! click here to submit your idea...

Sites To See

Twitter

Facebook