Hamptonite of the Week: Michael Wudyka
June 25, 2012
Age: 46
Occupation: Owner, Enclave Inn Hotels and East Hampton Studio
Hamlet: Southampton
When did you start coming to the Hamptons?
I moved here full-time in February of ’99 from Detroit, Michigan.
What’s your best, worst, or most hilarious Hamptons memory?
Some of my best memories are at the ocean with my two sons; boogie boarding and hanging at the ocean all day and night. It's pretty magical.
Do you have an inner circle or group of friends that you hang out with most often in the Hamptons?
I live in the Hamptons full-time but do have a group of wonderful summer friends that have become more year-round. Josh Guberman is my oldest and closest friend. We met through a mutual friend about seven years ago.
What are your East End traditions or must-dos every summer?
I am a big fan of the Monday drum circle, going to the ocean late at night, especially when it's raining, and polo matches with my sons. They are getting older and it’s not as cool to hang out with me, but we have always gone to at least one or two polo matches and The Hampton Classic together.
Who throws the best parties?
Way to hard to say! Coming from inner city Detroit, any party in the Hamptons is a step up!
Where do you go for a drink and what’s your usual?
I’m not a big drinker, but I love to people watch. My favorite is iced tea at Golden Pear or wine at 75 main. Keith [Davis] and Zach [Erdem] both do a great job and are friends.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten in the Hamptons?
I love Danny at Fairway Restaurant. It's my type of place. I get the same thing every time for the past 12 years. I also love The Hamptons Players Club—it's a new place in East Hampton. Frank [Cilione], Neil [Levinbook] and Dave [Levinbook] make you feel like family. It has everything you want in a place to eat.
Where do you go to totally unplug?
I'm a beach guy. Put me in a chair with waves hitting my feet and I'm good!
What’s the last thing you bought in the Hamptons?
I bought East Hampton Studio, a giant movie production facility that I am trying to do concerts, events, and host charities at. On a smaller level, this morning I bought a slice of pizza for a late breakfast.
Last night of the summer, where can we find you and what are you doing?
I have been with Josh [Guberman] and the crew the last handful of years, so I guess the same this year as well.
What’s the difference between a true Hamptonite and a weekender?
I don't believe there is a difference. I only think of nice people and ‘not so nice’ people!
Photo Friday: A Blue Beach Cruiser
June 22, 2012
Each Friday, we choose a photo from our "Share Your Best Shot" gallery that's especially inspiring and authentically East End. Submit a photo here or tweet us your snap with hashtag #HamptonsShots.
Bike on the fence at Main Beach —@zomberto, East Hampton
Dispatch: Overheard on the LIRR; Midsummer Night Drinks; and the Brinkley Brood in SoFo
June 20, 2012
Tony Ingrao and Margaret Russell at God's Love We Deliver Midsummer Night Drinks
Overheard on the LIRR
The armies of fresh-faced summer sharers that invade the Main Streets of the various Hamptons hamlets each summer never fail to entertain. On the LIRR Saturday morning, my car was filled with young sorority types whose entire vocabulary seemed to have been borrowed from a Gossip Girl script. Every third word was "seriously," "obviously," "totally," "like," "exactly," "absolutely," or "OMG." And the cadence of speech was so slow that each letter seemed to have extra syllables. Their voices cracked as they attempted to add extra inflections to every sound. In the seat behind me, the young women were dissing a Debbie Downer housemate, who would apparently always discuss being so tired when she wakes up after drinking and sleeping only two hours. (Seriously? That was totally her choice, right?)
Midsummer Night Drinks
That night, God's Love We Deliver held its elegant Midsummer Night Drinks at Woodhouse Park, the East Hampton home of Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper. Stellar choice. Dispatches had visited before, but the exquisite gardens rolled and curved on and on with follies and statues for what seemed like three-quarters of a mile. Apparently, Ingrao and Kemper have added two lots. “Now we’re just refining,” said Kemper. “We’ve gotten it down to where we only have two people working here. One is a tree guy, and one takes care of the lawns and weeding.” This garden is a waking dream. Seriously!
Sailor Brinkley Cook, Christie Brinkley, Alexa Ray Joel, and Jack Brinkley Cook at SoFo Goes SoHo
SoFo Goes SoHo
And speaking of acreage, SoHo Meets SoFo was the theme of the South Fork Natural History Museum fête on the museum's bucolic 800 acres. Christie Brinkley brought her children, Sailor and Jack, who are now as tall as or taller than the also present Alexa Ray Joel. Bites included shrimp cocktail in little glasses and tiny passed lobster rolls. Brinkley’s eponymous line of organic skin care products made the gift bag.
Around Town
On Shelter Island, Olympic runners Frank Shorter and Joan Benoit Samuelson helped to pace the annual 10K. My wife, on her birthday, came in third for her new age group; and then we stayed on the island for dinner at a friend’s idyllic house.
Meanwhile, Kelly "I Can Make You Hot” Killoren Bensimon hit Banzai Burger in Amagansett and ended up jumping behind the counter to make vegetarian rolls with Japanese chef Isao. But ultimately, she just ended up downing a draft PBR and a cheeseburger.
And on Father's Day, Dispatches dined at Duryea's—you can’t beat the views—and took the train back from Montauk at 7:30 PM, following the spectacular sunset from Montauk to Bridgehampton. On this train ride, I overheard loud but witty runners who amused me. One told a story of staying out late, not eating dinner, drinking, and then getting up for a spin class to meet a friend. Halfway through the class, he lost his vision and then blacked out—but not before knocking over the water cooler. Another gal spoke of ho-hum sex with a new partner who had stepped up his game in the sack over the past weekend. "What do you mean?" asked her male buddies. “More dominant . . . less wimpy,” she answered.
Sensitive types need not apply.
—JEFFREY SLONIM
Hamptonite of the Week: Natasha Esch
June 18, 2012
Age: 41
Occupation: Owner and designer, MONC XIII
Hamlet: Bridgehampton
When did you start coming to the Hamptons and how has it changed since then?
I started coming to the Hamptons on weekends when I was living in Manhattan, back in 1993. There were a lot less people for sure. Sag Harbor was a sleepy village that people went to for two things: to go to Sage Street Antiques or to have dinner at The American Hotel. Now Sag Harbor is a bustling little village with people walking the streets every night in season!
What’s your best, worst, or most hilarious Hamptons memory?
Back in 1994 on one of our weekend visits at the start of the season, my husband and I were stopped at a roadblock in Sag Harbor. Upon running my husband's driver's license, an unpaid speeding ticket from the previous season showed up and he was arrested. I had to follow him to the Sag Harbor police station in the squad car and then bail him out for $50!
Do you have an inner circle or group of friends you hang out with most often when you’re here?
Well, since we are year-rounders, we now have two groups of friends we hang out with: weekenders who come out from Manhattan, and parents of our kids’ friends who are a more year-round group of friends.
What are your East End traditions or must-dos every summer?
Having a clambake on the beach, a visit to The Clam Bar for lobster and crab and corn chowder, watching the Fourth of July fireworks on the beach in Sag Harbor, visiting the new Swallow East in Montauk, and taking the boat out to Sunset Beach for lunch.
Who throws the best parties?
Well, I am told the previous owner of our home, Sandy Gallin, had the best parties. I have never been to one, but people constantly comment, ‘I was at a great party at this house,’ when they see our home.
Where do you go for a drink and what’s your usual?
Either The Beacon in Sag Harbor for a blood orange margarita, Tutto il Giorno for a glass of Vernaccia, or The Living Room at c/o The Maidstone for a Scandinavian Sunset.
Do you have a favorite summer song or anthem?
Every summer is defined by a different song, but my summer music go-tos are the Gipsy Kings or Bob Marley.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten in the Hamptons?
The corn and crab chowder at The Clam Bar, the Long Island duck at The Living Room at c/o The Maidstone, and oysters and Champagne at The American Hotel.
Where do you go to totally unplug?
Our boat, a 44-foot Mochi Craft Ferretti Yacht, on the ocean.
What’s the last thing you bought in the Hamptons?
A blue and white sweatshirt from Curve in Sag Harbor.
Last night of the summer, where can we find you and what are you doing?
On the boat enjoying the last days of summer with friends and family.
Photo Friday: Nova's Ark Project, Water Mill
June 15, 2012
Each Friday, we choose a photo from our "Share Your Best Shot" gallery that's especially inspiring and authentically East End. Submit a photo here or tweet us your snap with hashtag #HamptonsShots.
Ark Project in Water Mill during a charity event in late June. —Rafael Bellber, Water Mill
