Sant Ambroeus

Just like this Milanese establishment’s two NYC outposts (located on the Upper East Side and in the West Village), Sant Ambroeus in Southampton offers a wide variety of Italian specialties all under one roof. The front sells freshly baked breads and cakes, espresso, paninis, sorbets and over 24 different varieties of gelato. Meanwhile, the back is an opulent (sit-down) restaurant. Weekends in the summer it’s packed at lunch and dinner with Europeans, financiers and the Palm Beach crowd, so diners bear witness to lots of air-kissing and head swiveling. Outdoor tables were added in a alleyway down the block, and while some regulars feared that this would be a new Siberia, they quickly realized that dining alfresco allowed them to escape the major schmoozing of the main dining room. Don’t be fooled by the prices on the pasta and risotto dishes; as per Italian tradition, these are meant to be intermediary dishes and portions are small.