The first run of Long Island Restaurant Week for this year starts at the end of the month, sure to break up the dining doldrums of winter across the East End. Beginning on Sunday, Jan. 28 and continuing through the following Sunday, Feb. 4, this eight-day long winter installment of the tri-annual event sees restaurants across both North and South forks offering exceptional deals in the form of either a three-course or two-course prix fixe.
Lunch prix fixe options start at $24, while dinner ranges from $39 to $46. Seats tend to fill up fast, so be sure to book your rezzie well in advance. Here’s what you can expect at an East End resto near you:
ON THE NORTH FORK
Bistro 72, 1830 West Main St., Riverhead, 631-369-3325
Located inside the Hotel Indigo, bistro classics, are served, showcasing organic (when possible) locally grown and highly seasonal food 365 days of the year. Think salads inspired by local farm stands, mussels in white wine and herbs, and rigatoni with wild mushrooms and pecorino tomato sauce. The three-course dinner menu is $39, and the lunch will be $24 for two courses.
Cooperage Inn, 2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, 631-727-8994
Cozy and relaxed, this North Fork mainstay serves generous portions of user-friendly, comforting country cooking for lunch and dinner. With prix fixe menus costing either $39 or $46, options are set to include classics like overstuffed baked clams, seafood bisque, crispy bone-in pork chop saltimbocca, chicken francaise, and gorgonzola-crusted flat iron steak.
On the Docks Grill, 177 Meeting House Creek Road, Aquebogue, 631-866-1160
This off-the-beaten-path Aquebogue restaurant overlooks Meethinghouse Creek and consistently serves well-priced American fare. Restaurant week is no different, as the locale is offering a three-course menu for $39. Diners can opt for short empanadas, black and white bean hummus or hearty winter potato leek soup to start while main courses range from glazed salmon and roasted cod to stick pomegranate chicken and surf and turf.
ON THE SOUTH FORK
Bistro Eté, 760 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, 631-500-9085
Coastal French is the name of the game at this cool and casual eatery tucked away in The Mill Center shopping cove. Vegetarians and meat lovers can equally rejoice, as restaurant week offerings ($46 per person) include mushroom and brie puff pastry with mesclun salad, Long Island duck wings confit, zucchini “spaghetti” and pappardelle with braised short rib.
Bridgehampton Inn Restaurant, 2266 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, 631-537-3660
Coming off a month-long winter break, owner Sybille van Kempen and chef Alejandro Osorio are entering restaurant week armed to the brim with decadent and delightful dishes. Re-opening on Thursday, Feb. 1, they’ll be breaking tradition and serving up the $46 three-course prix fixe all night long on Saturday.
Calissa, 1020 Montauk Highway, Water Mill 631-500-9292
One of the hottest spots in the Hamptons during the summer, with its ample, comfy gray banquette seating and come-all vibe, Greek-centric Calissa keeps the mood equally upbeat in the winter. Offering a $39 prix fixe, options include simple, light and clean flavors sure to please all. Supplemental items beef it up a bit, literally, and include a New York Strip Steak with oregano French fires and harissa ketchup (+$8) or lamb chops with roasted lemon potatoes (+10).
Cowfish, 258 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, 631-594-3868
Part of Rooted Hospitality Group, this Hampton Bays mainstay is the perfect place for a meal any time of year. Serving New American cuisine on the water, chef’s creations for the $39 restaurant week offering include pork osso buco, rotisserie chicken and grilled cauliflower steaks. For about 10 extra bucks, you can add one of three salads to your meal, if you’re trying to get your greens in.
Fauna, 6 Parlato Drive, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-3550
One of Cowfish’s sister operations Fauna opened up back in 2022 in what used to be Starr Boggs. The menu is a playful fusion of styles drawing from the classic vibe of the hearty American steakhouse and the elegance and comfort of French bistro fare. With a slew of add-ons and supplemental items available on the $46 prix fixe menu, there truly is something for everyone.
Lulu Kitchen & Bar, 126 Main St., Sag Harbor, 631-725-0900
Open for lunch and dinner, the wood-fired grill at the center of this Manhattan-chic meets Mediterranean-chill resto elevates the usual culinary suspects, but the flame show isn’t for meat only: Lulu has plenty of vegetarian options, with a handful ready to be featured on the $46 restaurant week prix fixe. The faint yet pleasantly constant murmur around the room adds an extra dose of conviviality to this eatery.
Nick & Toni’s, 136 North Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-3500
One of the most highly lauded Hamptons restaurants, Nick & Toni’s will be participating in restaurant for the “first time ever,” according to WordHampton president and Long Island Restaurant and Hospitality Group member Nicole Castillo. Staples like zucchini fritti, penne alla Vecchia Bettola and oven roasted Arctic char will make an appearance on the $46 three-course menu as will deftly crafted housemade desserts from pastry chef Kelsey Roden.
Union Burger Bar, 40 Bowden Square Southampton, 631-377-3323
Who doesn’t love a good burger? If you want to take advantage of restaurant week but don’t necessarily feel like going into a stuffy Hamptons hot spot, check out this Southampton locale serving top notch burgers and sushi, with prix fixe options for $24 for lunch only and $29 and $39 options for dinner.
