Whether it’s the young staff of local high school and college kids stirring up memories of first jobs, or the building that’s been a part of so many people’s childhoods in East Hampton for more than four decades, Cherrystones Clam and Lobster Shack tends to bring out nostalgic feelings among its patrons.
This is the only restaurant in the area with a full staff of young people and that tends to bring up old memories for diners, manager Debbie Geppert said.
The manager added that Cherrystones features a familiar brand of counter service that’s relaxed, easy, and meant to be fun.
Patrons can pick up a menu, check off their meal choices, and take a seat anywhere they like; or choose take-out for a meal at home. Lunch or dinner will be served up at the same counter, on a paper or plastic plate. Cherrystones welcomes orders that are called in as well.
“There is nothing else like this in East Hampton,” Ms. Geppert said.
The laid-back feel of the clam and lobster shack brings in big groups of eight to 10 people, who often opt to sit outside at a table under an umbrella to enjoy a meal augmented by frozen margaritas or daquiris.
“People just love to hang out here,” Ms. Geppert said, noting that Cherrystones also gets a lot of families, with the kids typically ordering a hamburger or hot dog.
Before the restaurant opened in the beginning of May this year, the building housed the nostalgia generating institution known as Snowflake for more than 40 years. Owners Chris Eggert, who is also the chef at Cherrystones, and Kevin Boles are also the proprietors of Bostwick’s in East Hampton and Indian Wells Tavern in Amagansett.
Experiencing more than a little bit of wistfulness themselves about the Snowflake that they knew and loved, the owners and staff at Cherrystones decided to keep one of the soft ice cream machines for Cherrystones, to “pay homage to them in a small way,” Ms. Geppert said.
The manager described the outside dining area as “the signature Hamptons beach look,” with hydrangeas and grasses surrounding a floor of sand. The tables all have tiki umbrellas and a surfboard stuck in the ground features the updated specials menu.
Mr. Eggert took some of the popular fried seafood options from the menu at Bostwick’s, he said, and brought them over to Cherrystones, which the two owners set up as a more informal restaurant.
Appetizers include shrimp cocktail, baked clams, fried calamari with marinara, mussels with wine and garlic, buffalo popcorn chicken with bleu cheese, chicken fingers, chips and salsa, New England clam chowder, Manhattan clam chowder and lobster bisque. Prices range from $5 to $10.
Different combinations of mixed green salads are offered for $6, with a choice of four additions: grilled chicken for $10, grilled shrimp for $16, crab cake for $14, or lobster salad at market price. Dressing choices include balsamic vinaigrette, honey mustard, blue cheese and Asian vinaigrette.
As the name would suggest, Cherrystones raw bar offers the popular cherrystone clams on the half shell priced at six for $7 or 12 for $13. Littleneck clams are offered for the same price and oysters on the half shell are six for $9 and 12 for $17. All bivalves are shucked to order and served with cocktail sauce and lemon.
Sandwiches and rolls range from $3 to $11, and include lobster roll, clam strip roll, fried flounder sandwich, hamburger or cheeseburger, grilled chicken breast sandwich and a Sabrett hot dog.
“Seafood Boats” range from $12 to $18 and are served with French fries. Fried whole clam bellies, oysters, clam strips or shrimp, fish and chips and crab cakes are listed. One-, one-and-a-half, and two-pound steamed lobsters are what bring many diners to Cherrystones, Ms. Geppert said, because “you don’t have to get dressed up, and it’s easy.” The lobster is offered at market price.
Sides go for $1 to $5 and consist of French fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob, onion rings, potato chips or vegetables.
The blackboard specials might be considered the healthier choices by some, according to the manager, and feature dishes like grilled and pan-seared fish or steamers.
Soft ice cream is available for dessert, with a choice of vanilla, chocolate or a combination twist in a cup for $2, $3 or $4.50. Also offered is an array of classic toppings including, among others, Reeses Pieces, hot fudge and caramel sauce.
227 Pantigo Road, East Hampton; 324-9020
Wednesday through Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Mastercard, Visa and American Express
No reservations
Handicapped accessible
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