Sag Harbor

EAT & DRINK

Blue Sky Restaurant & Lounge 63 Main Street (631-725-9353). After restaurateur Ed “Jean Luc” Kleefield’s Grappa recently ran into money troubles, his entire staff (including executive chef Giuseppe Desiderio) picked up and walked out—across the street to this new moderately priced Mediterranean spot. Expect thin-crust pizzas, a lobster-broccoli-rabe roll made with puff pastry and rotating art exhibits.

Tutto il Giorno 6 Bay St (631-725-7009). This small rustic-looking Hamptons cottage weathered a bluster of buzz over the past few years—the restaurant was backed by former Condé Nast CEO Steve Florio, and Manhattan Chef Scott Conant consulted on the menu before it changed hands over to none other than Gabby Karan De Felice, daughter of designer Donna. Now that the dust has settled, the focus has shifted from boldfaced names to dishes like creamy truffled polenta, marina views and the outdoor garden.

Murf’s Back Street Tavern 64 Division St (631-725-3355, murfstavern.com). If the sight of all those popped-collar polos and madras shorts is driving you to take shots, Murf’s is the dive you want to stumble to. Just your standard pretense-free watering hole, a mash-up of sailors from the nearby marina, townies and those with summer shares congregates here to play darts, ringtoss and hear classic rock on the juke. Yes, there’s a chance you might spot a pair of whale-print pants in the crowd—that’s what the cheap beer here is for.

The Beacon 8 W Water St (631-725-7088, beaconsagharbor.com). Perched above the Sag Harbor marina, this harborside spot is a romantic’s dream, with unbeatable sunsets and gorgeous views. Refreshingly, the joint’s classy yet the atmosphere is casual and the food strikes a balance somewhere in between both, with dishes like roasted monkfish, tuna tartare and halibut baked in parchment practically made for the sole purpose of dazzling your date.

Estia’s Little Kitchen 1615 Sag Harbor Tpke (631-725-1045, eatshampton.com). A mile outside Sag Harbor’s town center lies this roadside restaurant that’s got country charm with a Latin kick. It may be known for its hearty breakfasts, but items like torta ahogada ($14.50) served with tortilla soup, fish tacos ($14.95) and a Mexicano-Cubano sandwich ($14.95) spice up an otherwise solid brunch spot. Come nightfall, the lights dim, the candles come out and bottles of locally produced Long Island wines get uncorked to create an entirely different atmosphere.

WHERE TO STAY

The American Hotel 49 Main St (631-725-3535, theamericanhotel.com). From $335 per night. Holding court on Main Street since 1846, the three-story brick boutique hotel has been an area landmark for over a century. With just eight rooms, reservations for the classic Victorian-style accommodations go quickly, despite the fact that there are no TVs anywhere in sight (but Jacuzzi bathtubs, yes). The downstairs restaurant is renowned for its expansive wine list—over 2,500 selections—and is worth a stop for drinks and a spoonful of caviar.

Baron’s Cove Inn 31 W Water St (631-725-2100, baronscoveinn.com). $130–$309. If you roll with an entourage, consider booking one of the deluxe lofts, which sleep up to six. Regardless of what layout you choose at the 66-room hotel, make sure to request one facing the front for views of the pool and bay (as opposed to of the tennis court and parking lot). There’s also a rooftop sundeck, and it’s just a quick hop on the ferry to Shelter Island from here.

WHAT TO DO

Sag Harbor Cinema 90 Main St (631-725-0010, sagharborcinema.com). For those rainy days (and there will be dreary ones), make your backup plan catching an independent or foreign film in this old movie-house setting. Marked by an iconic red neon sign and characterized by resplendent art-deco architecture, you won’t care whether its hailing outside once you sink into one of the theater’s plush red-velvet seats.

Havens Beach Off Bay St near Hempstead St (631-725-0222). The calm bay waters at this secluded soft-sand beach are great for leisurely swimming or hopping gentle waves. There’s also a swing set and playing field for the little tykes.

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge 784 Noyac Rd (631-286-0485). Commune with nature at this 187-acre refuge, where you can spot piping plovers and shorebirds nestled among the marsh grasses and shrubs. A scenic hiking and running trail will take you past the ponds, kettle holes, tidal flats and grasslands and leads you to a beach on Little Peconic Bay. Make sure to bring birdseed—the birds will literally eat from your hands.