Hamptons Survives Winter of Discontent

Where to eat: You no longer have to wait until 6 p.m. for chic Hamptons dining. Derek and Daniel Koch, the men behind Merkato 55's infamous booze brunch, bring Day & Night Restaurant & Beach Club to the Capri Hotel and its outpost of Pink Elephant. The result is the closest thing you'll get to a St. Tropez beach scene, albeit at the thoroughly landlocked Capri Hotel. A BMW armada of party girls in Top Shop sundresses and visor-size sunglasses make their way to the velvet-rope brunch, where they sip on Veuve Clicquot bellinis as DJs spin sultry sun anthems till sunset.

Those looking for something a little later in the day descend on Georgica, located in a former mansion along the Montauk Highway. A social smorgasbord of wannabe Real Housewives and even a couple real ones arrive to a gravel motor court and regal-looking waterfront estate. The hostess podium is set in front of a spiral staircase and lively bar with small lounge overlooking the dining room. Dinner is a hefty menu of wood-fired pizzas, signature salad with candied nuts and oodles of cheese followed by phyllo-wrapped salmon or grilled filets.

Occupying the restaurant space next to the paparazzi-stalked Lily Pond is Philippe. The starry Chinese eatery launches a summertime outpost for its gourmet pan-Asian specialties like Peking duck and velvet chicken, in a red-drenched dining space with lively terrace just down the street from evergreen hotspot Nick and Toni's. The crowd, when there is one, includes local social climbers looking for direct entrance to Lily Pond as well as be-seen diners looking to break bread, or dumplings, with visiting celebs and corporate tycoons.