Camp Rubirosa — Restaurant in Town of East Hampton

We were so excited to see our favorite family Italian spot from Mulberry Street making an appearance on Race Lane this Summer! When we saw a reservation available we booked right away as it was a last minute idea. Memorial Day Monday was packed at primetime despite the mass exodus we saw on the LIE on our way out east - the hostess did not miss a beat and we were seated right away. Warm welcomes from everyone who touched our table. Our server, Lola, had impeccable knowledge of the menu - so lucky to have her out here this season. We also recognized one of the bartenders from the city who was working in the garden that night, and with Edwin managing it's no surprise that service was smooth from start to finish. For drinks he had the frose, then an espresso martini sub tequila; I had a mezcal negroni and then a glass of the "No Name" a delicious light to medium bodied red. We started with a pizza per server's recommendation, shared the eggplant parmesan as well as an app; then got the bass - the individual portion was two perfectly prepared filets served over artichoke hearts, castlevetrano olives, and cherry tomatoes. Seasonal vegetables that night were delicious sauteed snap peas with fresh mint; and I had my favorite arugula salad in lemon dressing with shaved ricotta that is my go to on Mulberry street as well. The s'more sundae was a super generous portion with all the accoutrements, apparently you can get a bigger size too for families - we had more than enough. After dessert I did have a cynar neat - then Limoncello appeared and a candle on a dessert plate as I'd mentioned celebrating my birthday that weekend. The whole staff sang us happy birthday and even though it was closing time; the hospitality never once skipped a beat. We look forward to...

The hype was… just hype I’m afraid (and I’m a rubirosa fan!!) Really wanted to love this— and the pizza was a definite highlight— but there are some big issues here. Our server was lovely, but there were several service issues: plates not being bussed in time, wine not being refilled, never got water until we asked multiple times, extremely long wait times between courses, etc. I know it’s a Saturday night in the Hamptons so things won’t be speedy, but the wait was 30+ minutes for our next food at some points. It also seemed like our waiter was overwhelmed with several large parties and the place just seems understaffed and chaotic. Now onto the food: started strong with yummy drinks, appetizers, the delicious pizzas, and the chicken parm which is a must-get. However, then we waited over 30 minutes for our pasta to arrive (and we wished we had cancelled it— the pasta was bad. Cacio e Pepe literally inedible). It’s clear everyone here is trying their best and a lot of these issues are opening kinks that they’re working on but there’s way better Italian food in the Hamptons IMO. Not worth the price or hassle to...

The staff are the antithesis of hospitality — aloof at best, condescending at worst. You get the distinct sense they believe they’re doing you a favor by acknowledging your presence. Questions are met with eye rolls. Requests are ignored. Smirks substitute service.

It’s the kind of place where the hosts seem perpetually annoyed you had the audacity to make a reservation. Where the waitstaff vanish for half an hour, then return without apology. Where the only thing colder than the salad is the attitude.

The food? Passable. But when you wrap mediocrity in arrogance and charge Hamptons prices, the experience quickly devolves from aspirational to absurd.

Camp Rubi Rosa isn’t a restaurant. It’s cosplay. A poor imitation of something once great — staffed by people who’ve confused exclusivity with entitlement.

Save your money. Save your evening. And if you want the real Rubi Rosa, stay...