Dusk & Rubies

6/30/17

BRUNCH SO HARD: BEST HAMPTONS BRUNCH SPOTS BY HOOD'

So, maybe we are a bit overzealous when it comes to brunch. But, how else were we going to compile a list of the BEST brunch spots by Hamptons hood without trying them all? Exactly. With our reputation on the line, the only alternative was to try as much as we could. Here's what made the list.

1. MONTAUK: ARBOR
This spot is new-ish. This is their second season and they are not open every day. That being said, they offer hands down the best pizza in MTK with fresh ingredients, plus a Rene Brad Rose Brut from France that is de-lish. Pizza + Champagne = Brunch Of Champions.

2. SAG HARBOR: LULU KITCHEN & BAR
Fresh and local: key words every brunch enthusiast wants to hear besides for mimosa, and bottomless cocktails. Lulu Kitchen made the list because of their extensive Brunch offering for vegetarians. See below the Seasonal Veggie Platter that could feed at least 3 people.

3. WEST HAMPTON: SYDNEY'S "TAYLOR" MADE CUISINE

Maybe you want to get one more day in at the beach, before you go to work, so you need that sweet pick me up. We couldn't help but take a bite of this double dutch chocolate cookie!

4. QUOGUE: BETH'S CAFE

Only open for breakfast and lunch, Beth's Cafe has become a staple for hot bagels, quick organic cappuccinos, and of course, our favorite, Greek omelet.

5. EAST HAMPTON: DOPO LA SPIAGGIA

Dopo La Spiaggia just opened a new restaurant in East Hampton and it's already on Samantha Yank's radar. That's big. What's bigger? They just added brunch!

6. SOUTH HAMPTON: CLAUD'S SOUTHAMPTON INN

What's better than breakfast in bed? Brunch in bed. Definitely brunch. Now, the Southampton Inn does not have it's own brunch menu, but if you have brunch around 10-11 we suggest the Beach Buttermilk Pancakes , and if you have brunch around 2-3 we suggest either the Grown Up Grilled Cheese or the Smoked Salmon Pinwheels.

7. HAMPTON BAYS: ORLANDO'S CAFE

Brunch sometimes means wearing last nights clothes, or rolling through in a tee-shirt you wore to the beach the day before. Orlando's cafe is a plastic plate establishment like any great diner, drive-in, or dive. Sweet-tooths must have this Challah Deep Fried French Toast, or get something more traditional from their Mexican fare.

Stay Lovely,

D.R.

Editor & Curator

6/16/17

Mark Your Calendars: #SummerofSpritz Hamptons

From June 23 - 25, the iconic restaurant/bar Dante, located in the heart of Greenwich Village, will be heading East to take over Highway's bar in the Hamptons. The Summer of Spritz pop-up will offer exclusive cocktails curated by Dante's team that will include classics from their acclaimed menu as well as unique variations of the popular Aperol Spritz. The menu is available Friday through Sunday starting at 4 pm. Be sure to try Dante's famous Negroni as well as the Sgroppino Spritz - a refreshing sorbet drink made in collaboration with OddFellows while dining al fresco in Highway's new outdoor deck.

Dante Pop-up Menu

#SummerofSpritz

Classic Negroni

Gin, Campari, Cinzano 1575 Sweet Vermouth

Negroni Sbagliato aka ‘Mistaken’ Negroni

Cinzano Rosso, Cappeletti, Prosecco

Negroni Frappe

Gin, Campari, Cinzano Rosso, Fresh Orange Juice

Classic Aperol Spritz

Aperol, Perrier, Prosecco

Aperitivo #1

Milagro Blanco, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, Passionfruit, Mango, Prosecco

The Jasmine

Four Pillars Gin, Campari, Combier, Lemon

Gariblaldi

Campari and Fluffy Orange Juice

Sgroppino Spritz

Oddfellows Aperol Spritz Sorbetto, Sparkling Rose

We know where we will be!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor & Curator

Dusk & Rubies

5/28/17

HAMPTONS 2017: AL FRESCO DRINKING & DINING GUIDE

As warm weather approaches, it's time for more al fresco meals, light bites, and south of the border inspired cocktails. Lucky for us, the Hamptons is known for delivering dining and cocktails with a side of sea air. Here's a list of our favorite spots with an outdoor view!

1. NEW CHEF @ COAST KITCHEN

ABOUT: Are the words Bacon Wrapped Filet (pictured above) not enough? Then, what about Spring Vegetable Potato Rissole? What we love about the Montauk Yacht Club is that it never disappoints, and it is always doing something new in terms of their menu. Plus, with sweeping waterfront views in every directions, there is so much to see and taste!

WHERE: Montauk Yacht Club 32 Star Island Road, Montauk NY

MORE INFO: Here

2. NEW LOCATION: LULU KITCHEN & BAR

ABOUT: A new second location, with an amazing brunch offering made with fresh, local ingredients. Make sure you make a reservation, this place, since opening, has been booked solid! Too hot of a day to sit outside? Take advantage of the large windows and french doors, and sit inside while natural light filters in creating the perfect IG shot of your meal!

WHERE:126 Main Street Sag Harbor, NY 11963

MORE INFO: Here

3. NEW CHEF @ ALMOND

ABOUT: Almond, which has been a staple since 2001, has announced new chef de cuisine, Jeremy Blutstein. Formerly of East By Northeast in Montauk, Blutstein has joined Almond to create some really delicious bites, like these buffalo cauliflower bites (pictured above). Ask for a table outside and let the people watching begin!

WHERE:One Ocean Road Bridgehampton, NY

MORE INFO: Here

4. COCKTAILS @ ARBOR

ABOUT: The Garret, a New York City based cocktail brand with two locations run by Den Hospitality and recently included among the best speakeasy bars in NYC by TimeOut New York, is bringing their penchant for creating quality and lively bar scenes to Arbor’s outdoor bar. The Garret's top tier mixologists will feature playfully elevated cocktails in a laid-back environment at Arbor's newly built outdoor oasis and circular bar.

WHERE:240 Fort Pond Rd Montauk, NY 11954

MORE INFO: Here

5. NEW LOCATION: DOPO LA SPIAGGIA EAST HAMPTON

ABOUT: Dopo means "after the beach" and with its new location in East Hampton, and new outdoor patio and bar, Dopo La Spiaggia lives up to its name as the perfect place to dine, well, after the beach.

WHERE: 31 Race LaneEast Hampton, NY

MORE INFO: Here

6. NEW SUMMER COCKTAILS AT LT BURGER

ABOUT: Known for their burgers and more importantly their spiked milk shakes, LT Burger just came out with a new summer cocktail list. Whether you just docked your boat, came back from Shelter Island, or have been walking around Sag all day sit back relax and sip on the new Blood Orange Margarita which will pair well with the Tuna Chipotle or Mexican burger. Take advantage of the few tables they set up outside in the summer and let the breeze off the harbor cool you down!

WHERE: 62 Main Street Sag Harbor, NY 11963

MORE INFO: Here

7. NEW SUNSET PIER @ MONTAUK YACHT CLUB

ABOUT: The new Sunset Pier will launch Memorial Day weekend featuring a cool outdoor lounge to enjoy cocktails and light bites with an amazing sunset view. The Sunset Pier stretches out into the marina and is lined with cocktail tables and benches for optimal sunset viewing. An outdoor bar anchors the Sunset Pier with a creative cocktail list and light bites bar menu.

WHERE: Montauk Yacht Club 32 Star Island Road, Montauk NY

MORE INFO: Here

Stay lovely,

D.R.

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog

8/22/16

SOUTHAMPTON SWEAT: 305 FITNESS CLASS & REVIEW

Sweat is in the name, so know…there is no way around it.

You. Are. Going. To Sweat. And sweat hard.

Last Saturday, if you were in Southampton, then there was no way you didn’t hear the pop and hip hop music pumping into the streets from the center of town, or see the crowds of scantily clad men and women getting their flex on. Okay, maybe not scantily clad, but dressed in there most minimalist workout gear, because dear LORD it was hot! The weather, we are talking about the WEATHER.

It’s been on our to-do list for a while to try a 305 Fitness class, being that this is our year of wellness, and that any fitness regimen that incorporates dancing sounds like fun. (Plus, Lo Bosworth told us it was one of her favorite fitness classes. You can read that interview: HERE) Who are we to question Lo?

So we tried it, and to be completely honest it was SO HARD in a good way (if you like to be sore for the next couple of days). The squats totally got us.

Things we liked: The music was great, and it totally kept us going, but you need a water bottle handy. We were outside, under a hot sun, in the regular LI humidity, not in a studio, so we were in need of definite refreshments.

The steps: Some are easy to pick up and that’s great, because they will keep coming back. Others, a little tougher, but because you’ll get to “perform” them over and over again during the class there is always room to improve!

Overall, the instructor Sadie, and also founder of 305 Fitness, was really amazing. Super high energy, very helpful, and supportive. She helped to create a very positive atmosphere.

Things we were not prepared for: We thought out of the 13 classes Southampton Sweat offered, 305 Fitness would be one of the easier classes. We were totally wrong. This is because a lot of the other classes had people working out in alternating groups, which allowed for you to catch your breath before continuing onto your next bear crawl or set of pushups. 305 Fitness is non stop. You’ll be squating, high kicking, and “push-uping” the entire session. If you’ve done Plyo and Zumba it’s like a mix between the two, but the dance moves are way better than Zumba. There website explains the workout style as,

"EACH CLASS INFUSES DANCE MOVES, SPORTS DRILLS AND HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING (HIIT) TO CREATE A FULL-BODY, FUN WORKOUT."

Overall, we would do it again!

Want to try 305 Fitness? Check out the website HERE to find the class closest to you!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies Blog

8/21/16

10 Things We've Learned: About Floral Arranging According to @BFLORALNYC

The right florals can add just that extra touch to any room in any home. Here are the 10 lessons we've learned from B Floral, New York's premier floral and event design company.

Lesson 1: Transform any tablescape with a few well placed succulents.

Lesson 2: Speaking of succulents display them in varying heights to add depth and texture.

Lesson 3: Baby gold pineapples will brighten up any room.

Lesson 4: Sometimes it's more about the way the flower is presented, rather than the actual flower. Fill a square glass votive with pebbles and place one, single floral, then repeat.

Lesson 5: "Powder blues and creams make a great contrast against a marble tabletop."

Lesson 6: Bathtime like a Queen "Wind down with a mid-week bath soak! Add blooms and floating candles to create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation."