If you’re an avid foodie, you’re probably aware that there are restaurants all over the East End that are run by some of the most prominent chefs in the game. Even if you’re not, you know delicious when you taste it and these pros deliver night after night. To help you get to know the people responsible for making the dinners you’ll rave about for decades, I put together a cheat sheet of top East End chefs. Get your iPhones ready and clear your calendar. You’ll be making your weekend reservations at their restaurants shortly.
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Chef Brian Cheewing
Wölffer Kitchen, Sag Harbor
Chef Brian Cheewing. image: Randee Daddona
This lifelong Long Island chef got his start with the famous George Martin Group. After working in kitchens out East for a couple of years he was drafted by winemaker Roman Roth to help open the first Vineyard-owned restaurant last summer. Chef Cheewing focuses his year-round menu on the ever changing seasons of the East End of Long Island. Go.
Recommended dish: Buffalo Mozzarella with Prosciutto di Parma
Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten
The Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton
Le Dock, Fire Island
Within the world of food and wine there is one name that stands apart from all others: Jean-Georges. He is affiliated with the most world-renowned restaurants, like Jean-Georges in New York City, Prime Steakhouse in Las Vegas, Market in Paris, Sand Bar in St. Barth’s and Jean-Georges Kitchen in Dubai. He is ambitiously opening two restaurants this season and you’re going to want to get reservations at both. Go (Topping Rose) and Go (Le Dock).
Chef Christian Mir
Stone Creek Inn, East Quogue
Located deep within East Quogue, Stone Creek Inn is worth the trip. Since May 1996, husband and wife team Elaine DiGiacomo and chef Christian Mir have been stunning even the savviest of restaurant goers with their “cuisine du marche,” (translation: cooked with local produce). Go.
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus or the Hudson Valley Foie Gras
Chef Noah Schwartz
noah’s, Greenport
image: yvonne albinowki
Chef Noah Schwartz has truly made a name for himself on Long Island since he opened noah’s in 2010. Constantly lauded by Best Chefs in America and guests of Greenport, Schwartz is known for his tapas-style seafood plates. His wife, Sunita Schwartz, an accomplished wine expert, ties the whole restaurant together with her vast, hand-picked, wine list. Go.
Recommended dish: Filet Mignon Sliders
Chef Rosa de Carvalho Ross
Scrimshaw, Greenport
Author of 365 Ways to Cook Chinese and Beyond Bok Choy: A Cook’s Guide to Asian Vegetables, Chef Ross is famous for her multi-cultural Asian and fusion cooking techniques. Good news for future foodies: she teaches her tasty techniques to aspiring chefs at Culinary Institute of America. Go.
Recommended dish: Steamed Dim Sum Dumplings (they’re housemade!)
Chef Claudia Fleming-Hayden
North Fork Table & Inn, Southold
Sweet tooths, this one’s for you. Chef Claudia is one of Long Island’s most distinguished pastry chefs. She moved to Paris in 1991 to study pastry and since then has worked at Gramercy Tavern, TriBeCa Grill and Union Square Café. After meeting her late and commemorated husband chef Gerry Hayden, the couple partnered up with Mike and Mary Mraz to open The North Fork Table & Inn in 2006. Go.
Recommended dish: The Chocolate Parfait
Chef Jennifer Meadows
Bliss Kitchen, Montauk
Chef Jennifer Meadows
Like a fine wine this chef only gets better with time. Meadows started as an executive chef at a Montauk restaurant before opening Fishbar. Although Fishbar is now closed, she is the owner and proprietor of Montauk Bliss Kitchen and has her own consulting group. You may have also seen her as a contestant on Chopped or as a judge on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown. Go.
Recommended dish: The Smoked Bacon Panini
Chef Jonathan Parker
The American Hotel, Sag Harbor
Chef Parker has worked alongside some of the biggest names in the game such as Thomas Keller and Gilbert LeCoze. He took over the kitchen at the American Hotel in December 2008 and has been dazzling visitors and locals alike with his use of seasonal East End ingredients. Go.
Recommended dish: Bison Carpaccio
Chef Tom Schaudel
A Lure Chowder House & “Oyster-ia,” Southold
image: matthew furman
This popular Food Network star and lifelong Long Islander always leaves locavores hungry for more. Not only is he one of the most well-known Iron Chef’s, he is also famous for some of Long Island’s most popular spots: Coolfish, Jewel and Be-Ju Sashimi and Sake Bar. He hit another homer with waterside seafood restaurant A Lure. Go.
Recommended dish: Sauteed Shrimp and Chorizo