Hamptonite of the Week: Kristina Davis
June 04, 2012 | Talk of the Town
Age: 48
Occupation: Creative director and partner, Navy Beach
Hamlet: Montauk
When did you start coming to the Hamptons and how has it changed since then?
My husband Frank introduced me to the Hamptons when I first moved to New York in 1991. Originally coming from the Midwest, with a brief stint in LA, I fell in love with the beach and its beautiful dunes. What has changed the most is the sheer volume of people who are coming out during the summer and now even in the off-season.
What's your best, worst, or most hilarious Hamptons memory?
When my husband and I—along with our two partners at Navy Beach, Leyla and Franklin [Marchetto]— were doing the initial renovations on the restaurant three winters ago, Leyla, myself, and my 9-year-old twin daughters went to the hardware store in Montauk to get paint and supplies. The man helping us asked what our project was and we told him it was a new restaurant on the water called Navy Beach. He said he had heard some fancy Manhattanites were swooping in and sinking millions into the place! Leyla and I were speechless. We responded, ‘I wish they would swoop in then so we can stop painting!’
Do you have an inner circle or group of friends you hang out with most often when you're here?
The Hamptons has always been about quality time together with family and friends. We have consistently grown this group since the early '90s and have interesting groups: boating friends, friends who come in from the city, and our local friends, who have become so important to us.
What are your East End traditions or summer must-dos?
The Fourth of July parade in Southampton is an old favorite, followed by a proper party at our home. [Also] water sports and tubing on Fort Pond Bay and fishing off Montauk Point; tying up with other boating friends in Coecles Harbor, Shelter Island and spending a lazy afternoon; hitting the beach in Montauk after having lunch at The Hideaway; shopping farm stands for tomatoes and sweet corn; and sunsets at Navy Beach while watching my kids play and skip stones.
Who throws the best parties?
I do! We have a longstanding Fourth of July tradition, which of course lasts all weekend, with beach clambakes and barbecues in the backyard. Everyone has to wear red, white, and blue and must be open to hopping in sack races. We have friends fly in from all over the country for it. We once counted some 25 people staying at our home. It was like camp!
Where do you go for a drink and what's your usual?
Navy Beach, of course. I will either have a rosé, my summer wine choice, or our Marganegra cocktail, made with tequila, muddled raspberries and blackberries, Crème Yvette, and lime.
Do you have a favorite summer song or anthem?
We are big classic rock fans, so when I hear songs like “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “Only the Young” by Journey, "Ramble On" by Zeppelin, "Take it Easy" by the Eagles, or anything by Lynyrd Skynyrd, I can literally remember laying out in my backyard catching rays on summer days in the early ’80s—listening to the radio with Hawaiian Tropic slathered all over. Also, a summer music must-mention has to go to local artist Nancy Atlas. She played at Navy Beach last year on the Fourth of July and sang the Star Spangled Banner. Everyone had goose bumps.
What’s the best thing you've ever eaten in the Hamptons?
Last summer we ordered this amazing French Lunchbox fish platter, which came out on a massive cutting board, at this quirky and totally charming place called The Fish Farm in Amagansett. It was so simple, but so perfect. But, I have to say that the Navy Beach burger will make me fall off a diet any day.
Where do you go to totally unplug?
In the summer in Montauk, I run almost every single day to unwind. I drop the twins off for their bus to Pathfinder’s Day Camp, put in my earphones for my iPod, and go! It’s fun because friends who know I go every morning look for me and honk hello.
What’s the last thing you bought in the Hamptons?
Lands’ End sheets on a Kmart run. But my gift certificate given to me for Mother’s Day to 25 Park in Bridgehampton is in my purse burning a hole!
Last night of the summer, where can we find you and what are you doing?
Sitting with a group of friends and our kids at an outdoor picnic table at Navy Beach, listening to music, and watching the sunset.
