Introducing the Share House on Napeague
Long ago, it was the storied Inn at Napeague. Last summer, Banzai Burger. As of last Friday, 2095 Montauk Highway on Napeague is Share House, a restaurant and bar serving up “elevated comfort food with a seafood twist,” live music and D.J.s, and other special events.
Sandwiched between the ocean and Napeague Bay, Cyril’s Fish House and the Clam Bar at Napeague, Share House, said its owner, Jacqueline Berchielli, is modeled after the shared summerhouse experience.
“I want people to come here and relax, feel like they’re at home,” said Ms. Berchielli. “Sit back, enjoy a really good beer and a burger, listen to good music, and have a fun time.”
David Blackmon Jr., the restaurant’s chef, brings a broad and deep culinary background to Share House. Formerly the banquet sous chef at New York’s Plaza Hotel, the New England Culinary Institute alum has also worked at Sanibel Harbour Resort and Naples Grand Beach Resort, both in Florida; in Michigan, and elsewhere in the South. “So I know healthy seafood-type cuisine, wild game, and the Low Country,” he said.
Among the delicacies Mr. Blackmon recommends are the crab cakes — a particularly meaty and delicious creation — and burgers featuring a secret house blend and onion jam. Share House will also offer daily specials of fresh-caught fish and local produce. “Keeping it very healthy and light for the summer,” he said.
“Our burgers are fantastic,” Ms. Berchielli agreed. “We have a really good down-home macaroni and cheese. We’re going to have some raw seafood, and lobster.” (On its opening weekend, Share House offered a 1 1/4-pound lobster at $15.) The fireplace is functional, Ms. Berchielli said, “and I’m hoping that in the fall we can continue business for the wine crowd. We want to make this a place for everybody.”
Katherine C.H.E., a local singer, songwriter, and musician, is booking the entertainment. The party got going on Friday night with Joe Delia and Thieves. As the skies cleared on Saturday afternoon, Ken Morsch and Jon Ludlow entertained outdoors on the patio as patrons enjoyed food, drinks, and Ping-Pong. (The Napeague Tea, one of Share House’s specialty cocktails, features elderflower, house-brewed tea, and sweet-tea vodka, and is enthusiastically recommended.) Hopefully Forgiven performed in the evening.
“Some places have good music, and some have good food,” said Katherine C.H.E., “but very few places consistently have both great food and great live music. I know that music brings people, and I’ve been waiting for the place to open — that’s how I connected with Jacqueline. It was serendipity that she also had this vision to create a place that was like a Bluebird Cafe for the Hamptons,” she said, referring to the fabled Nashville venue.
“This is something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Ms. Berchielli, who previously worked at a law firm in Manhattan. “I couldn’t sit at a desk any longer. I’m especially excited to bring this to the stretch.”
Inside, Share House looks much as it did last year: The bar and dining room are bright and airy, whitewashed floorboards complementing the chic and cozy decor. Sunlight, and a gentle breeze, particularly when the front windows are open, flow through the space. Outside is a main patio with bar and a nearby sunset patio with fire pit.
Ms. Berchielli hopes to keep Share House open throughout the year. “Anybody who loves live music and likes to support that,” said Katherine C.H.E., “should come and help make this a year-round thing.”