The building along East Hampton's main drag dates back to another time (1600s), like much of the clientele that drive their way at 15 mph from their seafront estates to the white-shingled Huntting Inn. A charming facade evokes old East Coast aristocracy with a library-theme steak house arranged in dark wood tables, with starched white tablecloths and tight-tied waiters that seems to know regulars by last name and title. Divided between a small lounge with bar and main dining room, best dinner reservations are made before 8pm to catch the best people-watching and maybe even a few old time TV stars.
The Food
Not exactly light summertime food, the menu of East Hampton’s Palm Restaurant is a carbon copy of the chain’s numerous other restaurants located from Boston to LA. Lighter eaters should stick with raw seafood appetizers like shrimp, crab and lobster as well as a few wedge or Caesar salads with dressing on the side. Main course is all about the meat with selection of fish and beef steaks like a 36-ounce New York strip as well as pasta entrees and singular vegetarian arrangement on request. Feel-good fried sides should not be missed like onions rings and hash browns as well as creamed spinach, yams and mashed potatoes.
Last Word
Dressed-up chain of the fancy steakhouse world, this old-school eatery lures Hampton loyalists to historic Main Street inn for hefty steaks and gut-busting sides.
