Over-the-top Long Island food: $110 Bloody Mary, caviar vending machine
The Bloody Mary at Claudio's in Greenport. Credit: Claudio's Greenport
As happens every summer, the seasonal swell of visitors in the Hamptons and on the North Fork brings all sorts of opinions and suddenly trending food and drinks. Last year it was Montauk’s Bake Shoppe’s fried croissants with jelly and Duryea’s luxe lobster Cobb salad in Montauk.
This year brings a new crop of must-try options, some with eye-popping prices, some swoon-worthy, all poised to have an Instagram moment:
$110 Bloody Mary in Greenport
Claudio’s Waterfront, 111 Main St., Greenport
The Greenport haunt that’s been around since 1870 is known for its waterfront views and dockside drinking and dining. This summer, the ante has been upped with the new Captain Claudio's Bloody Mary: a highly Instagramable 32-oz. cocktail with an over-the-top crown of goodies including a 1 1/4 lb. whole lobster, eight shrimp, bacon, celery, olives, even grilled jalapeños. One of the priciest offerings on the menu, it clocks in at $110, but naysayers on the price could perhaps consider this both a meal and refreshment? More info: 631-477-0627, claudios.com
24-hour caviar vending machine in Sag Harbor
Cavaniola’s Gourmet, 89B Division St., Sag Harbor
It may be the height of luxury to crave imported cheese and caviar in the wee hours of the morning, however, should the mood strike, the 24/7 gourmet vending machines at Cavaniola’s Gourmet are loaded with cheeses from Brie to blue to Parmigiano Reggiano ($20), honey, gift boxes ($125), charcuterie, sardines ($14) and even--wait for it--caviar. Item #21, a 1-ounce portion of Hackleback caviar, runs $75. The vending machines can be accessed at any time of day, and there are even branded takeaway bags to transport your sundries home. More info: 631-725-0095, cavaniolas.com
Egg sandwiches in Sagaponack
Sagaponack General Store, 542 Sagg Main St., Sagaponack
Sagaponack resident Mindy Gray recently bought this historic property built in 1878, reconstructed the destroyed front porch and installed floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the adjacent farmland. She’s curated a little bit of everything for the East End shopper. There are rotisserie chickens, salads, sandwiches, homemade pastries, local produce and fresh pasta. But it is the photogenic breakfast sandwich ($13) that has taken social media by storm. Stacked Cheddar cheese and soufflé-styled egg squares on a fluffy, decadent house-made, lightly salted, buttermilk biscuit — with or without ham — this egg sandwich is a mighty fine-looking specimen. Better at first bite when the melty cheese squishes into the flaky biscuit. Underrated but equally over the top? The cinnamon roll. More info: 631-536-5242, sagaponackgeneralstore.com
This story has been updated with new pricing for the Captain Claudio's Bloody Mary in Greenport.
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
