In case you hadn't noticed the decrease in traffic, chilly morning temperatures, and the plangent tones of leaf blowers catching the first landings of molting tree plumage -- fall has arrived. And with it come transitions, closings, Octoberfest, and High Holy Days.
At East Hampton's Rowdy Hall, Octoberfest continues in full swing with this week's prix fixe menu featuring an entree of kassler rippchen (smoked pork) and potato pancake with warm Halsey Farm apple sauce, served Thursday through Saturday for $32. It comes with a dessert of black forest cake. The tavern will shift gears on Sunday to offer a la carte specials for Rosh Hashana through Monday when matzoh ball soup, red wine braised brisket with glazed baby carrots, and Halsey Farm apple pecan strudel will be available.
Nick and Toni's in East Hampton will also offer a few a la carte holiday-inspired dishes on Sunday. The appetizer is a lentil and arugula salad garnished with shaved fennel, pomegranate seeds, and a mint vinaigrette. It is followed by braised short ribs with a caramelized onion noodle pudding and a honey cake with poached Halsey Farm apples for dessert.
Holiday a Go-Go
L&W Market in Bridgehampton has full meals to go for Rosh Hashana available by pre-order by noon Friday on their website or by phone at 631-537-1123.
Their appetizers and platters include a mezze combo for six to eight people with olives, beet hummus, lentil yogurt spread, eggplant walnut dip, whipped feta, and flatbread. Matzoh ball soup, smoked bluefish pate, and chopped liver are the other selections.
Main course options are red-wine-braised brisket, whole roasted chicken, and braised duck Sephardic style. Side dishes are classic kugel, baby carrots from Sagaponack, sauteed greens from Amagansett, roasted rosemary fingerling potatoes, and challah bread. A Milk Pail apple crisp is dessert.
Carissa's Bakery in East Hampton also has meals and other holiday treats for pre-order on toasttab.com. A full roast salmon or chicken dinner feeds four and comes with a seasonal market salad and sides appropriate for each dish. In the bakery, challah, olive oil tea cake, mini apple galettes, and honey oat bread can be pre-ordered along with honey and sorbet. Pickup is on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. and Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sag Harbor's Harbor Market has brisket, whole roasted chicken, and miso salmon filet along with chicken soup, matzoh balls, potato and noodle kugels, and other holiday-themed sides and desserts on its toasttab.com menu from Sunday through Tuesday.
Growing Pains
Lil' Birdie in Sag Harbor recently announced that it will close its store on Division Street on Oct. 2 in order to begin a transition to a larger space. Offering no further breadcrumbs, the founders said they would announce more in the "near future" and to "stay tuned."
