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By: Hal C Clarke
As diners enjoyed $85 veal parmesan and $82 strip loin at Sartiano’s East Hampton restaurant on Thursday evening, tensions brewed outside, according to the New York Post.
The trendy Italian eatery, frequented by celebrities like Paul McCartney and Margot Robbie, has become the focal point of a local controversy.
The Post reported that East Hampton police circled the building and issued two village violations for noise supposedly heard from 50 feet away. However, the Post noted that the music, featuring soft yacht rock like America’s “You Can Do Magic,” was barely audible outside and was turned off by 9:20 p.m.
“They’re out to get him,” whispered a 45-year-old banker and nearby resident, referring to restaurateur Scott Sartiano. Since its opening in mid-July, Sartiano’s has faced frequent visits from health inspectors and police, leading some to believe he is being unfairly targeted by village officials, including Mayor Jerry Larsen, as reported by the New York Post. Insiders claim a letter from the village administration was sent to neighbors, urging them to report noise complaints.
Sartiano’s summer has been far from smooth. He initially planned to bring his private social club, Zero Bond, to the historic Hedges Inn, as detailed by the New York Post. However, the East Hampton Village Board thwarted these plans by passing an ordinance requiring all dining establishments in the historic district to close by 11 p.m. The Post reported that village administrator Marcos Baladron remarked, “there’s no ducks allowed here,” implying a nightclub-like venue was unwelcome in East Hampton.
In an email to the New York Post, Mayor Larsen stated that police responded to four noise complaints at Sartiano’s since its opening. However, sources close to the restaurant told the Post that police have visited seven out of the ten nights it’s been open. Larsen defended these actions, saying, “The property comes with restrictions because it is located in a residential district. These rules/laws must be adhered to in order to be respectful to its neighbors.”
The New York Post highlighted the disparity between the scrutiny Sartiano’s faces and the leniency granted to other local establishments.
The Maidstone Hotel, located 0.2 miles from Sartiano’s, frequently hosts musical performances without similar police intervention. On Friday night, the Post reported hearing a tenor perform “That’s Amore” on the outdoor patio of the LDV Italian restaurant. Despite performances continuing until nearly 10 p.m., LDV has not faced police issues, according to the Post.
Some locals believe Sartiano is being unfairly targeted due to his reputation and clientele influence, as reported by the New York Post.
The New York Post noted that the controversy surrounding Sartiano isn’t new. A 1981 zoning board ruling required the Hedges Inn restaurant to close nightly at 10 p.m. Speculation persists that Mayor Larsen’s connections to local residents may influence the situation, as detailed by the Post. Larsen’s security firm, Protec Security, serves clients neighboring the Hedges Inn, with Protec signs visible throughout the area, according to the New York Post.
A manager at another East Hampton Village restaurant expressed concern to the New York Post about the implications of this focus on Sartiano’s. “It does give me a little bit of a concern. Did he [Sartiano] rub someone the wrong way at a village town hall meeting? I know vendetta BS like that happens,” the manager said.
