Bistro Ete — Restaurant in Town of Southampton

My boyfriend and I are not from the area, so choosing a restaurant based on reviews was key for planning our night. This must have been an off night because the all the favorable reviews make me question what went wrong. The atmosphere on the patio was great, food smelled good, lively chatter. Our night took a turn when we got to the hostess stand. Our reservation was for 9pm, and arrived on time. We were waiting for someone to greet and seat us, but we’re left standing there as waiters rushed past. The hostess finally greets us, after also rushing past us. I get it, it’s obviously a busy night, I’m not holding that against them. What I will hold against them is the fact that despite making a reservation for outdoor dining, we are informed they do not have a table for us. We could either wait or eat inside. At this point 20 minutes have past, so we decided to eat inside. Our waiter was very nice, but would come over sparingly. We ordered the truffle spazel to share, the scallops, and the steak. The spazel was delicious, as were the scallops. We were unimpressed by the steak. It was slightly overcooked, thrown on top of a bed of greens, with a side of the “potato poppers” that honestly looked like “home fries” that I could get at any highway diner, not what I expect from a $$$$ French restaurant. The portions were also off. My plate had 3 scallops placed on top of small beds of spinach, with a small scoop of rice in the center of the dish. It was a fine serving, but it looked like an appetizer compared to the overfilled steak dish. Though the food was good, we were put off by the amount of time it took to finally get our meals. To the point where I had asked our waiter for an ETA. We were told it’s a little busy, but they will be right out. “Right out” was 20 minutes later. Judging by the conversation with the waiter at other tables, we were not alone in wondering where our meals were. What also was off putting was the yelling and cursing coming from the kitchen: f-bombs, SoB’s, and mother-fer’s, to name a few. I am an Event Manager for a wedding caterer. I have been at odds with chefs in my time, but never have I ever allowed guests to hear. Never have those chefs allowed guests to hear. It was completely unprofessional for the type of quality restaurant Bistro Ete is claiming to be. Which is a shame, because the food was very good. However, good food does not make up for the awkward...

The place is super cute, the staff is professional and friendly, but what is going on in the kitchen? A friend and I dined on a Saturday evening and experienced some unfortunate misfires. After a very good French onion soup, we ordered the little neck clams and some Brussels sprouts. The clams were nicely cooked — tender and of a good size, in a cream broth studded with shards of chorizo that overpowered the dish and that might best be avoided themselves. Sprinkled throughout were peas which to all appearances were either reconstituted dried peas, or had been cooked so early in the day they had become hardened. Not a very pleasant dish. The Brussels sprouts with halloumi were mot special, lacking any crispy edges and crying for a little acidity. Next up was the fried artichokes with saffron aioli, which came out as flat, heavily battered, greasy, hard, undercooked, fibrous triangular wedges that were tasteless and inedible. Was no one in the kitchen tasting anything? We sent the artichokes back. A steak tartare was good, which I ordered with French fries, but which appeared with oily, slightly undercooked cubes of potatoes the restaurant calls “potato poppers”. What’s up with those, kitchen? What bistro offering dry-aged steaks can’t serve crispy fries? Not only did our server fail to inform us that the restaurant, which has steak frites on the menu, has no actual French fries, but the potato poppers were no better than mediocre diner breakfast potatoes, missing the requisite crispy exterior and fluffy interior. Soggy sautéed potatoes are no substitute. For the prices charged, all these items should have been exemplary. The chef was either asleep or on vacation but clearly no one in the kitchen was showering love on the food last night.

We...

My go-to Hamptons gem—Bistro Été

In the thick of a busy summer, when even the most polished spots can feel frazzled, Arie and Liz always manage to make me feel like I’m dining at their home—warm, effortless, and sincere. They’re the heart of it all. The vibe is relaxed while serving the best food.

The menu might say Coastal French, but honestly, each bite comes with its own passport stamp. One night it’s slices of absurdly good Ibérico jamón served on pan con tomate—hello, Spain—another it’s alpine charcoal raclette, whisking you straight to Switzerland. It’s not just French–Mediterranean: Italian, Middle Eastern, Alpine—you name it, Arie has indelibly woven it in.

The onion soup is to-die-for—and yes, you can elevate it with foie gras! The foie gras and truffles are a specialty but so are the simple dishes like grilled chicken, fish and steak. The specials rotate and are often my favorites. There are too many dishes to list as my favorites-I've never had a bad meal here and we have been dining here since they opened.

Then there’s the ice cream—homemade and very creative. And for when you want something more grounded, the dry-aged steaks (or fish, seafood, or chicken) shine—pure, honest, flavorful. You can even buy your own whole sub‑primal and have Arie age it for you; how cool is that?

The cocktails are another high note—Arie doesn’t just serve drinks; he crafts memorable flavor experiences behind the bar. And of course the truffles are my personal favorite. They’re always in play—fresh, shaved, abundant.

The entire staff is attentive, friendly, and genuinely there to make you feel seen. Thank you all for such...