May 23, 2008

US & Canada | US | New York | Hamptons

East End Story

By Nicole Cotroneo

Surf’s up in the Hamptons.

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There are reasons Montauk evolved into the more laid-back, chilled-out extension of the Hamptons — and one of them involves traffic. Once the summer hits and the Manhattan exodus begins, the main highway leading to Long Island’s East End becomes a virtual parking lot. Tony East Hampton is about as far as most people can bear (unless, of course, you’re buzzing your way by helicopter — much to the chagrin of locals). Those who persevere to the easternmost tip, however, will find a spanking new hotel this season. Perched on the shores of Fort Pond, The Surf Lodge opens this Memorial Day weekend, and despite its hang-ten theme, is half-a-mile inland from the beach. All 32 rooms have lake views, while a dozen feature private courtyards and hot tubs.

The lodge will also introduce a 3,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor lounge with a raw bar — after all, this mini-retreat is the brainchild of the team that gave New York Goldbar and CAIN (which also has outposts in Southampton, the Bahamas, and — soon — London). Surfer and Nolita fashion designer, Tracy Feith, will man the in-house boutique (quite literally, too — Tracy’s a guy). While the hotel’s locavore restaurant is in the hands of Sam Talbot, the Top Chef runner-up who, at this point, is better known for his rugged good-looks than his proven ability to lead a kitchen. But don’t worry — if Talbot doesn’t get his act together, you’ve got other options, from chic Harvest on Fort Pond to guarded local favorite West Lake Clam and Chowder House.