EMP  Summer House 2017

Extraordinary dining? Hands down. Winner is this summer’s EMP Summer House. EMP is Eleven Madison Park’s  extraordinary first and only foray into a summer dining concept in East Hampton.  What a novel idea to open a pop up while renovating their award winning  Eleven Madison Park. Unlike its three Michelin starred,  acclaimed NYC restaurant (and by the way, the Number 1  rated restaurant on the World’s 50 Best list), EMP Summer House was all fun, casual, family oriented and the most prized reservation in town. If standing room only lines this summer are any indication, the vote is already in to make EMP Summer House an annual tradition. 

Picnic Dining at its best

Nothing fancy here. It’s picnic casual outside, complete with checkered tabletops, fried chicken spilled along the table, huge containers of mai tais, complete with a self pouring spout,  so everyone can refill their glasses.  There’s something for every age group. 

Best part of the outdoor dining is watching waiters drop food along the length of the picnic tables. Order the lobster boil. Translation – mouth watering. In addition to perfectly steamed lobster, the lobster comes with clams, andouille sausage, shrimp, parker house rolls, tomato salad and a seasonal pie. Does it get any better than this?

Kids are running around playing corn hole or lounging in comfy seats. Even the dogs are having a social hour. In other words, this is a place to come after spending the day at the beach or meeting friends for a family style dinner. 

Yet, in the main portion of the restaurant, guests love the contrast of white linen table clothes and fashion minded guests mingling. My entire meal consisted of warm, old fashioned Parker House rolls with butter and thinly sliced and barely fried zucchini dipped in aioli sauce. 

Inside Elegance

My “Blue Baker” gave EMP Summer House  a five star review for kids, adults and pets of all ages. Chef Daniel Humm and partner Will Guidara knocked it out of the ball park this summer. Please come back next year.

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