152 // TASTE FOR LIFE
Caterer to the stars Mary Giuliani’s best summer days are spent with family on the beaches and streets of Montauk.
“I wake up, drink coffee, and spend an hour or so writing while watching the sun rise over the Atlantic on Hither Hills Beach. I’m a sucker for anything that takes me back to my childhood, having spent my summers at The Wavecrest (170 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631-6682141; wavecrestonocean.com), my grandmother Lucille’s hotel; so my dream day is always a combination of beach magic and nostalgia. A walk along Old Montauk Highway into town with my husband, Ryan, and daughter, Gala, is rewarded with cheese omelets at Anthony’s Pancake House (710 Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631-668-9705), celebrating 50 years’ business this summer. I time it so I can be there when Cynthia Rowley’s store opens (696 Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631668-8077; cynthiarowley.com) for pre-beach shopping. The building was once my grandmother’s burger-and-milkshake shack. Surf Bazaar (183 Edgemere St., Montauk, 631-668-1035; thesurfbazaar.com) is my other must-stop— it has the best stuff. If I leave Montauk for some retail therapy, J.crew (14 Main St., East Hampton, 631-3245034; jcrew.com) is always on the itinerary, especially for Gala. Otherwise, days are spent collecting seashells, flying kites, and drinking Montauk beers until it’s time for a late-afternoon nap. Then my husband and I head to Duryea’s (65 Tuthill Road, Montauk, 631-668-2410; duryealobsters.com) to purchase food for dinner. We love to stay in and cook. Cuddles, family sing-alongs—salty, sleepy, deliciously perfect summer days!”