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Eleven Madison Park has set up its pop-up restaurant in East Hampton, N.Y., for the second consecutive year.
The summer concept initially began as a temporary fix last year while its fine-dining sister in Manhattan had to be shut down for a major renovation.
It was a way for chef Daniel Humm, left, and restaurateur Will Guidara, right, to keep their staff employed and maintain the momentum of their restaurant’s high-profile success.
Due to popular demand, however, EMP Summer House has returned this summer — with a few new things to offer.
The pop-up has more of a casual vibe than Eleven Madison Park, thanks to the design of the space, which boasts a main indoor dining room, a covered patio area and a backyard with picnic tables — and the à la carte menu.
From its inception, EMP Summer House has been a collaboration between Eleven Madison Park and American Express. Only American Express Card Members can make reservations, which are available for the dining room, patio area and special experiences.
Walk-in guests can be seated in the backyard.
A new feature to the EMP Summer House menu is the DIY Taco Feast — a large-format meal option for six to eight people with the choice of either whole grilled fish or braised short rib. The group experience includes sides like salsa verde, marinated avocado, shishito peppers and tomato salad.
The summer menu also has two new flatbreads, one with clams and another with tomato and stracciatella cheese, pictured.
The snacks section is entirely new, offering wood-fired bread paired with a selection of spreads such as hummus, burrata and crab with cucumber and yogurt.
A new appetizer is the fluke ceviche with cucumber and lime, priced at $26.
Another way operators are reinventing themselves is throwing special events throughout the season. Maple Block Meat Co. in Culver City, Calif., is hosting a five-part summer block party series at its parking lot.
The series kicked off June 10 and will occur four more times during the summer. The block party, a free, family-friendly event, involves craft beer in partnership with a rotation of local breweries, a corn hole and a bounce house.
The real star of the show, however, is barbecue. Maple Block Meat Co. has an outdoor smoker and grill for brisket burgers, house-made smoked sausage and barbecued meats. The restaurant also plans to collaborate with Winston Pies, artisan bread companies, ice cream makers and specialty butcher shops throughout the block party series.
This rooftop garden at The McKittrick Hotel is hosting Sunset Sundays — a weekly music series featuring artists from the World Music Institute during the summer.
As a seasonal promotion, Gallow Green is also offering a Children’s Potions & Planting Tea Party on select Saturday mornings throughout the next few months.
The family-friendly event, meant for children at the suggested ages of five to ten, includes a traditional English high tea platter, pink lemonade and a “potions and planting” lesson. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite doll or teddy bear.
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