Best of the Best...Sag Harbor!
The Best of the Best in Sag Harbor and Environs
As you know we have migrated south, across the Peconic Bay to Sag Harbor, the well-known whaling port, home to famous folks such as Billy Joel and John Steinbeck, and now apparently the center of the universe.
Following in true Hummingbird spirit, while we have only been here a few short weeks, we began to research the “Best of the Best Sag Harbor.” We have to keep you, our loyal readers informed, and let’s face it, we need to know!
Ta Da!! We bring you our second Best of the Best spin-off. You can count on Hummingbird contributors to know the very best resources… especially when it comes to beaches, restaurants, and food! We present our findings with this caveat—we have not had the opportunity to try everything everywhere! If you have a favorite that you feel we’ve left out, please let us know in the comments section below. We will be happy to taste test or explore!!
May 3, 2023
Collective Contributor Review
Best Blueberry Pancakes
Estia’s Little Kitchen.
This might be the best breakfast place around town, especially if you enjoy a Latin influenced breakfast, but today we are focusing on the blueberry pancakes! First impressions count, and the cheerful, casual ambiance, music, local art on the walls, and the friendly, accommodating waitstaff make for a great first impression. We’ve stopped here, and other local places from Southampton to Sagaponack for breakfast over the past year. For us, eating breakfast out is a treat. We often like to indulge with pancakes—and blueberry pancakes, specifically, can be divine. So finding the best blueberry pancakes became a quest. Look no further than Estia’s Little Kitchen, where they make them fresh on the griddle, light, tasty, and full of blueberries. Served with pure maple syrup, and lots of butter for slathering, although the pancakes are moist and delicious on their own. For our decadent breakfast we have the blueberry pancakes, a side of scrambled eggs, a side of bacon, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee. We split all of these things and there is plenty for two people. Note, that the price for this feast it “up there,” however, deemed “totally worth it.”
We encourage you to give Estia’s Little Kitchen a try!
Estia’s Little Kitchen, 1615 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
March 2, 2023
Review by Sandra Novick
Best Coffee Revisited
Sagtown Coffee!
Many of you have read my Soggy, Sorry Tale—frozen pipe, big flood, house ruined. So for about 3 weeks we were vagabonds of sorts, with no coffee machine. As a result, we unintentionally did another round of taste-testing coffees in Sag Harbor. Sagtown went from Honorable Mention in our previous review to TOPS during this time, particularly their cappuccino made with whole milk. The coffee is rich but not bitter, not “over milky,” and the froth is perfection. We had at least 10 of them and feel confident that you will enjoy it as much as we did. Sagtown Coffee, 78 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Photo Credit: Sagtown Coffee
October 20 2022
Collaborative Contributor Review
One Best Bay Beach
We had to qualify this title. There are so many over-the-top, amazing beaches in and around Sag Harbor. From little neighborhood and community bay beaches to vast spectacular Atlantic Ocean beaches South of the Highway, one after another. Breathtaking.
Long Beach
Foster Memorial Beach (Long Beach), 1000 Long Beach Rd, Noyac, is a stand out for so many reasons. First and foremost, it ticks off these boxes: gorgeous, expansive, incredible sunsets, welcoming, family friendly, affordable for residents and visitors alike. And what’s more, Long Beach has this incredible 2-mile long parking lot so there is plenty of parking. You might ask why the parking lot is that long—well, because the beach is actually THAT long, which is so unusual for a bay beach! And what’s even more than that, the parking lot is flat so it is a haven for walkers of all ages. And what’s even more than that, everyone says, “hi” when they pass each other, AND smiles! Not to belabor the parking lot, but the narrow depth of the lot, and the relatively short expanse between the lot and the shoreline make it easily accessible for families with little ones, the elderly, and disabled.
It is common to see extended families picnic-ing, having family reunions, and just kicking back. Long Beach is the place to do it!
Over the summer Long Beach is busy from morning until well after dark. After 6:00 p.m., an entirely new crowd comes in, comprised of after work folks, or people that can’t take the sunshine (although there are dispensers of sun block everywhere), and maybe others that avoid the daily use/parking fee by coming after lifeguard hours when the entrance “booths” are closed. Whatever the reason, there is a great vibe no matter what time of day you arrive.
Holding the belief that a picture is worth 1000 words (at least), here are a few shots that we snapped since we have been visiting Long Beach. We go there at least a few times a week to walk. Somehow, it doesn’t get old.
Please click on the images to enlarge. It’s definitely worth it!
Springtime, looking toward Long Beach Road. Covered with beach roses the stretch is beautiful and the fragrance is delightful!
Midsummer morning.
When the wind is whipping just right. Late afternoon. Oh my goodness, they were having the time of their lives out there!!
Where else but Sag Harbor? Yup. Call a gym. A group of clients exercising waterside with a trainer.
October late afternoon walk.
For our first Sag Harbor “Best” we explored best places for coffee. The competition is stiff, but here is where we landed.
Reviewed by Sandra Novick.
Best Coffee (Please see revised Best Coffee in Sag Harbor above, March 3, 2023)
This category focused on places to pick up coffee. We taste tested cafe lattes and iced brewed coffees in each.
Grindstone on Main Street in Sag Harbor took first place in both categories handily. Their hot lattes are rich and smooth, no bitterness, drinkable to the last drop. The iced coffee was also a robust brewed blend. It stood up to the ice and milk providing great coffee flavor. I’m not going to lie… their incredible donuts—of every description that are made on premises—are also among the best I’ve ever had and that IS a bonus of going there, but for today, we are just talking coffee. And, I have to mention, the staff at Grindstone is incredibly nice and accommodating. Grindstone, 7 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY.
Taking the runner up spot is Harbor Market & Kitchen on Division. The cafe latte was also very good, strong but not bitter. The iced coffee was not as good comparatively as their cafe lattes. They have a great kitchen there with foods for breakfast and lunch, as well as prepared foods to take home. But today, again, we’re just talking coffee. Harbor Market & Kitchen, 184 Division Street, Sag Harbor, NY.
Honorable mention goes to long time local favorite Sagtown Coffee. Very good cafe latte, but a bit of a darker, French Roast style. Iced coffee— we tried brewed and cold brew— were good, but got watered down quickly. Sagtown also serves breakfast and lunch, and so far we’ve tasted the ABLT—which was delicious, but today’s post is just about the best places to get coffee. Sagtown Coffee, 78 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY.
We’ll be back with more. Welcome to Sag Harbor Hummingbird!
