Zero Bond owner Scott Sartiano has thrown in the towel in his fight to bring the exclusive Soho members-only club to the Hamptons this summer — choosing instead to open a branch of his celebrity-magnet restaurant Sartiano’s, Side Dish has learned.
The nightlife impresario will bring the popular Soho restaurant to East Hampton’s storied Hedges Inn, which was supposed to house Zero Bond before local officials put the kibosh on Sartiano’s plans by voting to ensure that all “eating and drinking establishments” close by 11 pm.
Noise-hating locals had been up in arms after Sartiano had first announced plans to open an outpost of Zero Bond — favored by Mayor Eric Adams and A-listers including Leo DiCaprio, Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian — in the sleepy, mainly residential area of East Hampton Village.
“We don’t have plans to open a private club in the Hamptons this summer, but you never know what the future holds. You’ll have to wait and see,” Sartiano told Side Dish in an exclusive interview.
“I hope to be treated the same as everyone else by the authorities. My only focus this summer is Sartiano’s, and being at The Hedges Inn for a very long time.”
Sartiano’s will open to the public on July 18 at the Hedges Inn, a 13-room luxury bed and breakfast which dates to 1873.
While the Inn is open 24/7 to its guests, the restaurant will be open Thursday and Friday from 5 pm to 10 pm, and Saturday from 1 pm to 10 pm. The last seating is at 8 pm.
Sartiano stressed that it’s a ‘reservations only’ restaurant — via Resy — and will not accept walk-ins.
The 80-seat restaurant — at 74 James Lane overlooking a pond — will have around 3,000 square feet inside and out, with covered and uncovered patios, as well as an outdoor seating area with fire pits and bocce ball.
Just like in the city, Sartiano’s menu will be designed by top chef Aldred Portale, Bond Hospitality’s culinary director, who made his name with Gotham Bar and Grill, and it will be executed by global executive chef Chris Lewnes.
Appetizers will include $14 house made focaccia, and a $30 seafood salad with chilled lobster, bay scallops, octopus, shrimp and avocado.
Additional offerings include $58 bucatini, with Maine lobster, roasted tomato and calabrian chili butter, along with $36 lasagna with wild mushroom, parmesan espuma and black truffle.
There’s also a $90 whole branzino, a $42 grilled local swordfish, and a $235, 40-ounce, 30-day dry-aged Tomahawk ribeye.
Specialty cocktails and appetizers will be available throughout the day, sources said. Sartiano’s Bond Hospitality will also manage the inn’s food and beverage program this season.
“I am passionate about the rich history and the vital role [Hedges Inn] has played in the East Hampton Village community for the past 150 years,” Sartiano said.
“Whatever I do, and however long I am involved with this property, I intend to maintain its position in the community.”
A pre-opening invite-only dinner is slated for July 13 with Sartiano’s summer partner, American Express Centurion, whose members will have priority access this summer.
“The Hamptons is a top summer spot for Centurion members and reservations are hard to get. We are delighted to work with Sartiano’s to give Centurion members access to one of their favorite New York City spots this summer in East Hampton,” said Beth Spaeth, senior vice president, US premium products and membership rewards at American Express.
The deal with Sartiano’s is Amex’s only partnership of this kind in the Hamptons this summer, she added.
