Hamptons’ elite eats
Big bucks back new eateries Get it while it’s ‘haute’
A coterie of financial elites — from the unseasoned to the unsavory — are launching more than a dozen restaurants in the Hamptons and on the North Fork to serve the moneyed masses starved for dining options as the East End booms.
The roster of restaurateurs includes the first venture from Valerie Mnuchin, the socialite sister of former US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, and hedge fund “vampire” Heath Freeman — known as the “grim reaper of American newspapers.”
Stacey Soloviev — ex-wife of billionaire Stefan Soloviev, heir to the late Sheldon Solow’s real estate empire — is among others looking to expand their posh footprint amid the onrush of
Heath Freeman, Stacey Soloviev and Valerie Mnuchin (left to right below) are among the financial elite electing to try their hands at the new title of restaurateur, and opening eateries throughout the Hamptons. power brokers escaping COVIDwracked big cities.
“People moved out East or bought second homes during the pandemic and there wasn’t enough product,” said Don Evans, organizer of Dan’s Taste of Summer — the largest foodbased series of events on the East End. “Now there is major billionfolio. aire money out east, and the openings are more sophisticated.”
Freeman, managing director of New York-based Alden Global Capital — notorious for buying up struggling papers like the Daily News, slashing costs and firing journalists — will add Sunset Harbor to his Hamptons portHe’ll open the new restaurant in East Hampton after buying the 4.3 acres of land that was home to Harbor Bistro for a reported $4 million and not renewing its long-term lease.
Freeman is also reopening the now-shuttered Red Bar, a former staple outside Southampton, as a French-inspired bistro, Enchanté.
On Shelter Island, Valerie Mnuchin is opening her first eatery, Leon — a French-Italianstyle bistro named after her grandfather. It will seat 70 people when it opens this July.
Popular chef Noah Schwartz, of Noah’s in Greenport, is opening three new concepts at the revamped The Chequit hotel, run by Soloviev Group under the vision of Stacey Soloviev.
The Soloviev Group has invested heavily in renovating the charming 19th-century inn overlooking Dering Harbor. Schwartz will open Weakfish Sushi & Noodle, The Tavern and Heights Cafe & Wine Bar.
Also dipping his ladle on the East End for the first time will be James Beard Award-winning chef Francois Payard, who opens Southold Social on the North Fork as chef and co-owner with Adam Lovett.
“More serious restaurant people are opening restaurants yearround,” Evans said, adding that this year’s Dan’s Taste of Summer will showcase 65 restaurants over six events, with the first happening on June 9 at EHP. “The North and South Forks are both red hot.”