Food

Sagaponacka vodka — which is carried in most East End liquor stores and will soon be infiltrating the New York City market as well — is crafted to be a sipping vodka, and starting this summer, visitors to the distillery will be able to sample the goods on site.

Several cities in Florida claim to have invented the Cuban sandwich, but it is clear that it originated in Key West. Tampa, specifically Ybor City, a neighborhood of Tampa, inserts Genoa salami into their version, and the city council passed a bill in 2012 claiming the Cuban sandwich as theirs. Passing a bill doesn’t make it a fact, folks.

Fans of Michael’s Restaurant (and they are legion) will be thrilled to know that its chef and owner, Luis DeLoera, has opened a new place, called the Blend at Three Mile Harbor.

Almond in Bridgehampton is offering a five-course whole pig dinner (think pork rinds and pork leg confit) featuring paired wines from Macari Vineyards next Thursday starting at 7 p.m. Balsam Farm’s community-supported agriculture program is now accepting memberships for the 2018 season. The Baker House 1650 in East Hampton is having a rosé tasting event led by a representative of Domaine Select Wine and Spirits on Saturday at 4 p.m.

For those who demand the freshest, most sustainable seafood, and partake in the increasingly popular and expanding Montauk-headquartered Dock to Dish community-supported fishery program, keeping an eye on your seafood order is a simple mouse click away.

Elaia Estiatorio, a Greek restaurant in Bridgehampton, will offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $32 per person on Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Fred Bollaci, the author of the “The Restaurant Diet: How to Eat Out Every Night and Still Lose Weight,” will be at BookHampton in East Hampton on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Super Bowl specials, Valentine's Day menus, a wine tasting, tie-dyeing, and more

Sheet pan dinners are just what they sound like: You put all of your ingredients on a sheet pan to be roasted, baked, or broiled together so there's no muss and no fuss.

A number of East End eateries are offering prix fixe deals this week as part of Long Island Restaurant Week, which continues through Sunday.

A couple of years ago I was overcome by a major craving for dumplings, like, serious, spicy Szechuan dumplings. The craving would not abate so I started researching where the nearest good Chinese restaurant was. I convinced myself that a three-hour round-trip drive UpIsland was not an unreasonable mission, and then realized that’s nuts!

Love Bites; "Delicious Destinations" stops off in East Hampton; Jackson Pollock's 106th celebrated at Springs Tavern, one of his former haunts when it was Jungle Pete's; art night continues

When your hunter friends stop by and drop off their bounty, do you know what to do with it? Deer? Goose? Wild duck?

Bridgehampton's Tex-Mex and Mexican choice deserves to be a lot more popular, The Star's reviewer said.

It’s always happy hour at Townline BBQ in Sagaponack for police officers and first responders who present their current badges or other identification to the bartender on duty. Perks include $5 shots, $6.25 garbage fries, $5.50 nachos, $6 wings, and beer and wine specials. The 1770 House in East Hampton is offering several dining deals through April 19. From Sundays through Thursdays, except holidays, a $35 three-course prix fixe menu will be available, as will $9 wine and $5 beer selections.

Over near Three Mile Harbor, the Blend, the new restaurant opened by the chef and owner of Michael’s, is serving dinner from 5 to 9 nightly. Nick and Toni’s restaurant in East Hampton has teamed up with the Golden Eagle Studio, a nearby neighbor on North Main Street, to initiate a series of dinners with featured artists who will discuss an art-related topic, give a demonstration, or teach an art class at the studio before joining the group for dinner at the restaurant.

Losing weight is one of the top New Year's resolutions and one of the least successful. Cooking for yourself is an enormously helpful step toward losing weight because you have complete control over your meal.

Holiday dining at the 1770 House in East Hampton this weekend will include a four-course prix fixe tasting menu at $110 per person, plus tax and gratuity. In Sag Harbor, Lulu Kitchen and Bar will host a New Year’s Eve celebration that includes an early, 5:30 p.m., seating and a later second seating at 8 that comes with a glass of champagne, party favors, and a four-course prix fixe.

I like to celebrate and plan to have a grand meal . . . at home, with friends who can walk home afterward. Driving around East Hampton drunk in the wee hours is just another way of saying, “I can’t wait to see my name in the police blotter of The East Hampton Star next Thursday!”

Homemade holiday gifts are often the best and most economical. They show that you made some effort, and it’s something your children can join in on. I mean, who doesn’t have fun melting chocolate, crushing candy canes, and licking the spatula and bowl?

For those who would rather dine out on Christmas Day, Baron’s Cove in Sag Harbor will offer a traditional three-course dinner. The Highway Restaurant and Bar in East Hampton will serve an a la carte menu with holiday specials on Christmas Eve.

When I found out that my friend Justin Spring, author of “The Gourmands’ Way,” was going on a book-signing tour through San Francisco, then to Carmel to his sister and brother-in-law’s winery and tasting room in Carmel Valley, I asked if I could tag along.

The restaurant at the 1770 House named one of “100 Best" by Open Table; Art of Eating's holiday menus; new specials and discounts

The "REAL Rowdy burger" goes up against a new plant-based version that promises the full beef experience, including juices, and tastes "damn good," according to our reviewer.

Local Food News

Cocktails at Baker House; impossible burgers at Rowdy Hall, Greek prix fixe at Elaia; and more this week

Although lamb chops and ribs are great in spring, winter weather calls for slow cooking and stews.

What is now the Springs Tavern has operated as a watering hole both famous and infamous since 1934. It was the Jungle Inn, Jungle Pete’s, Jungle Johnnie’s, Vinnie’s Place, the Boatswain, the Frigate, Harry’s Hideaway, and Wolfie’s Tavern.

Some last-minute ideas for Thanksgiving dinner include the Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton, where a four-course prix fixe meal is being served up for $85, $40 for children under 12, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Southampton, Tutto Il Giorno will also be open on Thanksgiving with a prix fixe menu for $65 that includes a choice of baby kale Caesar salad or a baby artichoke appetizer, wild mushroom tortelli or roasted turkey pastilla as an entree, and carmelized pear crostata or pumpkin semifreddo for dessert.

In addition to food, the Springs Tavern also serves up music. Tomorrow, a special tribute to the Allman Brothers will feature Andy Aledort, Bosco Michne, Rich Rosch, and Roy DeJesus at 9 p.m. There will be no cover charge.

Townline BBQ in Sagaponack is offering happy hour specials with its live music on Friday nights this season. Inlet Seafood in Montauk will close for the season after its lunch service on Nov. 26. It will continue to operate until then Friday through Sunday, opening at noon.