By: Lieba Nesis
The Hamptons is the place to be this summer as dozens of articles document the rich and famous who have weathered the Covid storm in this panoramic oasis. The mass exodus occurred in March where a largely fabricated war between the have and have nots was reported by the New York Post as the wealthy summertime dwellers battled the all year rounders in a “War of the Toilet Papers.” Celebrities have sought refuge in the South Fork with spottings this past week alone of Scarlett Johansson, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lopez, Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Chris Martin.
A Netflix show will be debuting Wednesday August 26th entitled “Million Dollar Beach House” recounting the lives of brokers in this wealthy enclave-one of the only locales to view an uptick in sales during the pandemic. Another continued trend has been a bevy of dinner parties with CNN reporting that Hampton party hosts are paying doctors to administer $500 per person rapid coronavirus tests with results arriving 10 to 30 minutes later. The tests inaccuracy has not deterred partygoers as the chance to fraternize clearly outweighs the dangers in doing so. Dr. Asma Rashid recently told CNN, “instead of having hors d’oeuvres at the party, now the theme is rapid testing.” I am unsure how hungry guests can be satiated with a nose swab however, the point has been made that after six months of hibernation there is a desperation to party at any cost.
Unless you were living under a rock, you probably heard repeatedly about the drive-in concert held in Southampton on Saturday July 25th where the Chainsmokers regaled 600 vehicles, who paid $1,250 to $25,000 per ticket for a night of too much revelry. Thousands of people gathered in close proximity where dancing and picture taking were carried out with abandon. According to organizers all attendees had their temperatures taken and were handed complementary face masks before driving to their parking space-facts which have yet to be confirmed or denied by participants. It is hard to imagine that thousands of car inhabitants had their temperatures taken. Moreover, while guests were instructed to leave their spaces only to use the restroom facilities, the bathrooms themselves posed a larger risk then the venue as they were indoors and contained copious amounts of germs and crowds.
The Town of Southampton was rightly excoriated for distributing a permit for this event as all non-essential gatherings of more than 50 people are banned in the state. Listening to the Chainsmokers is hardly a pivotal activity but the Hamptons has since paid the price with Cuomo claiming he was “appalled” by the video and “egregious social distancing violations.” Paradoxically the wild Saturday night concert was called “Safe and Sound” with Cuomo sharing a social media video of the out-of-control festivities that garnered more than 6 million views-hardly the kind of publicity the Hamptons needs.
Consequently, the Hamptons has been under a constant microscope as cops and state officials swarm the area. Montauk hotel Ruschmeyers therefore, shut down its planned restaurant concept called “Etiquette” which was to contain bottle parades and dinner performances. This past weekend the Southampton Arts Center held an outdoor dinner where 40 non-masked individuals dined in close proximity to one another-flouting the spirit of social distancing rules.
Zach Erdem, whose restaurant 75 Main is smack in the center of Southampton Village, has been the object of extreme scrutiny due to the visibility of his establishment. A popular destination in Southampton it is now one of 14 New York bars and restaurants that have lost their liquor licenses for violating Covid regulations (this group includes Cipriani and Nello’s in New York). On Saturday August 22nd SLA investigators and officers with the Suffolk County Police Department, the Southampton Village Police Department and the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office conducted an inspection of the 75 Main premises. After uncovering more than 25 violations, including employees and patrons dining and drinking without masks or social distancing, its liquor license was revoked on Sunday morning. This is catastrophic for owner Zach Erdem who relies on the summer months to recoup his hefty investment. It is undeniable that Cuomo has chosen to single out the Hamptons as its high profile clientele delivers the best headlines.
On a more positive note, those choosing to winter in the Hamptons will have five culinary hotspots to satisfy their taste buds including East Hampton’s “Nick and Toni’s”, Montauk’s “Highway Restaurant and Bar”, Sag Harbor’s “Bell and Anchor”, Southampton’s “Tutto il Giorno”, and Bridgehamptons “Almond.” The food at these establishments is first rate with fresh ingredients and healthy vegetarian options part of their mass appeal. Some other issues Hamptonites have encountered during the past tumultuous months include houseguests who overstay their welcome. Sara Adams and David Hart, co-owners of restaurant K Pasa in New York and Sag Harbor, described inviting four friends in March to hunker down in their Hamptons house for a couple of weeks.
As reported to Vanity Fair, their last guest departed in late July after being shown the door for attending numerous parties where she flouted social distancing rules-one of the few rules instituted by the welcoming hosts. The next great business idea might be a Hamptons special task force designated to evict unwanted houseguests from owners homes. The recent news that herd immunity or any type of lasting immunity might be a myth could result in Hamptons homeowners permanently residing in the less crowded enclave. The exact number of coronavirus patients in the Hamptons has never been revealed; However, there were no hospital bed shortages or overworked doctors reported so it is safe to assume the Hamptons was largely spared from the ravages of the pandemic. The past weekend I spent at a Southampton Hotel was idyllic-this unscathed bubble is the worst kept secret in Long Island as prices soar and school enrollments burst.
