For one night only, the Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton Village is offering a contactless takeout or picnic paella dinner Saturday prepared in-house by Fernando Saralegui of The New York Times-starred restaurants Alva and L-Ray, which he designed and operated.
Saturday's menu is a mixed seafood paella with a "bespoke" green gazpacho of grapes, leeks, and tomatillos. For those who wish to partake, his Saralegui Sangria will be available as well. Meals will be served in picnic boxes, bagged, and ready to eat wherever. Guests will have the option to eat outside on the Maidstone’s rear patio. The meal is dairy and gluten-free.
Mr. Saralegui, a Cuban-American, is visiting from Austin, Tex., and staying in Bridgehampton, venturing out only after observing the required 14-day quarantine. During his 40-year career, Mr. Saralegui has been a member of the teams at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., and Raoul’s in New York City.
Mr. Saralegui has published two books, one a cookbook called "Our Latin Table," a collection of his recipes doubling as a family memoir that explains how his family stays in touch with their heritage and one another through food. "Best Eats Havana" is a travel guide to his hometown that illustrates its vibrant dining scene. Signed copies of "Our Latin Table" will be available for purchase Saturday.
Paella picnic boxes and gazpacho are $65 per person, with the accompanying sangria $30 per quart. Touch-free pickup will be from 6 to 8 p.m., by reservation only, with very limited availability. Reservations can be made at 631-324-5006.