The Hamptons

First secret guilty pleasure of 2013? I'm addicted to Revenge.  Somehow the show completely passed our radars last summer in Canada, but there are bus backs and bus shelter ads all over Auckland and we were intrigued.  Just one episode watched about a week ago and we were hooked; now it's all I can do to drag myself away from the TV each evening after just one or two episodes. It's going to be like Game of Thrones all over again, with an empty space and an aching tv-related depression as soon as we catch up and have to wait a week (!) between fixes. 

I'm totally the whole revenge thing, watching all the secret plots unfold, bitter secrets and illicit affairs, but I'm equally as transfixed by landscape and the sets.  Revenge is set in the Hamptons, all gorgeous windswept beaches, country clubs, marinas and gigantic houses. A girl can dream. So I was indulging in a little of this guilty pleasure when I convinced Wil to stop by recent pop-up restaurant The Hamptons on Shortland Street last week.  A short summer fling from Tony Stewart and Des Harris of Clooney, this is a little slice of the East Coast in Auckland, and a little pocket of North America for two recently-relocated folk such as ourselves.

The Hamptons opened in January to astounding applause and is only around until May so I was keen to get in quick. It's outdoor patio seating almost transports right to the seaside and is perfect on balmy summer evenings.  When temperatures drop a little lower, as they are known to do in Auckland, cute striped beach towels are on offer. Strung with fairy lights, this spot is quite magical. 

The menu is very North American which made us two very happy kids: beef brisket, corn bread, hotdogs and crayfish roll all take centre stage on this small, but perfectly formed menu.  Having been on a bit of a culinary tour of the area on this particular evening we decided to share the meat & bread platter and the crayfish roll. 

The meat was Spanish in origin, a chorizo and another sausage our server couldn't pronounce and I couldn't discern. A shame as it was delicious.  The crayfish roll was tiny for $11, but out of this world delicious and had Wil reminiscing of trips on the East Coast.  Service was the standout - we hadn't experienced such friendly service since leaving the Great White North and were well impressed.  Seems it's not just the menu that represents here. 

With a nice representation of local beers and wines available The Hamptons would a perfect spot for afterwork drinks and nibbles or a late night rendezvous. With maple pecan icecream and peanut butter cookies on the dessert menu you can be sure we'll be planning a return visit to the Hamptons. If you're in the neighbourhood you should stop by, or even if you're not it's well worth the visit. Well done team, can't wait to see what you'll come up with next. 

The Hamptons can be found at 41 Shortland Street, until May.