The East Hampton Star’s Summer Academy took a field trip to Amagansett this week for a stop at Bonfire Coffeehouse, which opened in May of this year. Laura Donnelly, the East End’s expert food critic and longtime Star food columnist, offered a primer on restaurant reviewing. After tasting a range of Bonfire’s sweet and savory offerings, here’s what our students had to say.
“Tasty, Homemade Options”
Bonfire Coffeehouse serves some of the best brunch in the area. The small coffee shop is a comfortable and reliable stop with cushioned benches and tall ceilings. The modern white interior gives it a fresh and clean look, while still keeping a warm and homey atmosphere that invites you to enjoy it just a little longer.
The menu at Bonfire is filled with tasty homemade options that are rich in flavor and satisfying in portion. Whether you are craving a simple yogurt parfait, or a stomach-filling “Brookie” (brownie-cookie), this cafe has you covered. I was craving these very items, and started with the yogurt cup. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the blueberries and strawberries were quite fresh, to go with a generous portion of granola and chilled Greek yogurt, which was also vegan.
To wash this down, I chose the iced chai latte. This beverage, which is normally either watered down or too strong, was correctly flavored and gave me some insight on how well this cafe treats each and every item it serves. I finished my visit with the B
rookie, which had me wishing I weren’t already full so I could eat the entirety of the rich and flavorful baked treat. I used to make these myself, and I was in awe at how tasty Bonfire made each layer of this dessert.
Beyond the food, the staff at Bonfire contributes significantly to the welcoming vibe. Friendly, attentive, and always
smiling, they made me feel like a regular, even though it was my first visit. It’s the combination of great food, cozy ambience, and top-notch service that makes Bonfire a must-visit for anyone seeking a comforting and delicious brunch experience.
— Ean Frankel
“Rich Tasting and Filling”
I recently went to the Bonfire Coffeehouse, just off Main Street in Amagansett, and it was an overall great dining experience. The place has both indoor and outdoor seating, giving customers the choice of where to eat, as well as its own merchandise hanging on the walls.
I went up to the counter to browse the wide variety of baked goods, coffees, and gelatos before deciding on the Bonfire Brookie. It was not easy deciding what to get, as there were many tasty-looking items on display. In a few quick minutes, the Brookie arrived at the table. It was mostly a chocolate brownie with bits of cookie baked into it on top of it.
The first bite was mostly chocolate and not much cookie, besides what was on top of it. But as I continued to eat it, I found it to be a very rich-tasting and filling pastry with a chocolate-cake kind of flavor to it, while also getting the occasional bite of chocolate chunk.
Over all, Bonfire was an enjoyable spot to grab a coffee or a pastry, and I can definitely see myself going back.
— Ben Epstein
“Relaxed and at Ease”
Bonfire Coffeehouse feels like home. The service was great and it did not feel too crowded. It was great to go with friends and colleagues, but I believe that it’s comforting ambience would be nice if you went alone as well.
In terms of the food and drink, it had some pretty good items, mostly what you would expect from a coffee shop, but the duck bacon was probably the best thing that I tried. It tasted like classic crispy bacon, but more flavorful. I got this dish as a side, but it would taste good in a B.L.T. or even a B.E.C. (bacon, egg, and cheese). At a close second, the Bonfire Brookie satisfied my natural sweet tooth, though it was slightly too rich. The hot chai latte wasn’t as strong a brew as I’d like.
Ultimately, if you are looking for a fairly priced coffee shop where you can relax or even sit down to do some work, Bonfire Coffeehouse is great. More than the food, it was the atmosphere that would make me recommend this place to friends and family.
— Hugh Eastman
Perfect Place to Grab a Bite
Upon walking into Bonfire Coffeehouse, familiar music like Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” greets you. From the moment you sit down in the mustard-colored chairs and on the pastel pillows, you feel relaxed. Bonfire Coffeehouse does a fantastic job fostering a cozy, homey feel with its soothing colors, plants, pastry displays, and friendly employees. Situated in the Amagansett Snuggery, a playful garden-like area with seating and games like cornhole, it is the perfect place to grab a bite or a whole meal.
Bonfire serves a wide variety of brunch and pastry items, from hot sandwiches to berry cobblers. However, it is particularly well known for its gelato. Bonfire puts a twist on the classics and incorporates its own original flavors. In addition to mint chip and stracciatella, s’mores, peanut-caramel swirl, and even “blue spirulina” grace the Bonfire gelateria menu.
The pastel-blue gelato, reminiscent of cotton candy, is exactly what you want from a pretty, creamy treat. Made with a vanilla base and spirulina, this flavor is light and very sweet — a delightful palette cleanser once you have enjoyed a Bonfire B.E.C. (bacon-egg-cheese sandwich) or skillet potatoes.
I would come back again and sample the rest of their gelatos!
— Natalie Brenner
Cozy, Airy, Ideal Addition
Bonfire Coffeehouse, a space that previously housed the Body Tech gym, has a cozy, airy feel to it. Having opened in May, Bonfire is the most recent addition to the Amagansett Snuggery. It is nestled next to a grassy seating area with a selection of outdoor benches to choose from, and the interior of the cafe is suffused with plenty of natural light and greenery, with subtle standard-fare background music playing at all times.
The service was brisk and polite. I ordered an iced chai latte and a cinnamon roll, both of which came within five minutes. The chai was delicious: sweet, milky, and full-bodied. Whether it was made in house or otherwise, the spice blend came through beautifully. The cinnamon bun was served warm with half-melted icing — the perfect sidecar to the chai. The pairing made for a delicious summer morning snack.
I will definitely be returning to Bonfire, either to work at my computer or to enjoy a snack. The cafe has a lovely ambience and excellent food to boot, and is an ideal addition to the already-charming Snuggery. Two thumbs up.
— Henry Koepp
Gelato “Was Truly Delicious”
I dined at Bonfire with my group from the East Hampton Star Summer Academy program with the goal of practicing food reviewing.
I’m not going to lie, for me, at first it seemed rather forgettable. The experience was what some would call average. The food was decent, and I was about to say there was nothing worth writing about when I tasted the gelato.
That’s when it hit me. I’ve tasted a lot of ice cream in my days, but this was exceptional.
It was truly delicious! The combination of mint, strawberry, and dark chocolate merged to make an explosion of flavor that was something worth noting. After that, I’d say I had a rather good time there and would visit again if I remember.
— Jacob Kaplan
Options for All Tastes
Bonfire Coffeehouse is an exquisite, clean, and casual place to eat.
There is an organized variety of healthful snacks in the center of the cafe. Some of the options include dried fruit, granola, and energy bars. The bathroom and table were clean and not cramped. The service was quick and the employees were kind.
The food selection had an option for all different taste buds and price ranges. Examples included avocado toast, tuna sandwiches, egg sandwiches, vegetarian pasta, chicken salad, coffee, bacon, and more.
I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian pasta. The vegetables tasted fresh and appetizing and the pasta wasn’t too chewy, as it sometimes can be.
The cafe even makes its own fresh gelato. The mint chip flavor was amazing because it was refreshing, flavorful, and not too sweet or too bitter.
I would highly recommend the Bonfire Coffeehouse for a quick, fairly priced, healthy, and tasty meal.
— Ava Loeb