Foodstuffs: A Taco Bar Opens in Sag Harbor and July 4th Views

eLTacobar Has Arrived

It’s official, eLTacobar has opened its doors on Main Street Sag Harbor. The new casual Mexican concept, which operates out of the former LT Burger space and is the go-to spot for summertime adult nights out, comes courtesy of Michelin Star chef and restaurateur Laurent Tourondel.

Just in time for the official start of summer, Tourondel, an East End resident, is always testing out recipes at his East End home. He once again, works his culinary magic, this time at eLTacobar (note the capital LT for the chef’s initials), recreating original Mexican recipes and, when possible, using fresh local produce, fish and often organic and plant-based ingredients. It starts with homemade taco chips and tortillas, diverse, combinations for tacos, bowls and more.

Choose from starters like Yucatan Veg Salad (lime-cumin dressing with a choice of chicken, pork al pastor or shrimp) or tacos, like Montauk cod “Baja-style”(jicama slaw, pickled onion, cilantro).

For bowls, offerings include the Mexican Cowboy (grilled carne asada, avocado, beans, corn and cabbage) or the Cerdo (glazed pork belly, avocado, pickled onion and jicama). There are plenty of vegetarian selections too, like the Champinon (yams, mole, avocado, grilled corn and tomatoes).

For the bar crowd, the highlight is eLTacobar’s extensive list of tequilas, some from independent producers and small-batch distillers in Mexico dedicated to diffuser-free agave spirits. A flight of tequilas ($30) lets guests try a range.

eLTacobar’s hand-crafted summer cocktails are recipes using fresh fruits and herbs, and all ingredients are prepared in house. Try the Margarita Teramana Blanco (agave, lime, salt rim) or the Passion en Fuego (Espolon Blanco, passion fruit, Cointreau, lime, chili threads, habanero mist). Then there is the Watermelon Fresca (Hornitos Plata, fresh watermelon, mint, watermelon and agave syrup) or the Smokey Coquito Vida (Puebla Mezcal, coconut crema, lime, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, toasted coconut, Black Sea salt). Cool down with a Frozen Prickly Pear Margarita (Teramana Blanco, agave, lime, salt rim).

Also available is a variety of carefully selected fine wines and plenty of nonalcoholic drinks are available too, like Guava Lemonade, Watermelon Aqua Fresca or Grapefruit Jarritos.

And for the sweet tooth, dessert includes Churros Con Oaxacan Chocolate (Ancho chili, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, cloves).

Chef Laurent Tourondel’s (LT) other restaurants include Sag Pizza, New York City’s L’Amico, Strip, Vine; Miami’s LT Steak & Seafood, The Alley and Dune in Fort Lauderdale. Tourondel is the backbone of the original BLT. Tourondel is a native of France, and he parlayed his love of food at an early age into a four-year program at Saint Vincent Ecole de Cuisine in Montlucon, France, where he earned a certificat d’aptitude professionnelle. He then worked for notable chefs Jacques Maximin at Restaurant Ledoyen in France and Restaurant Mercury at the Hotel InterContinental in Moscow. Tourondel then moved on to the three-star Michelin Relais & Chateaux Troisgros’ before taking a post as executive chef of Potel & Chabot catering in New York City. He held executive chef stints at Palace Court Restaurant at the world-famous Caesar’s Palace Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, and the impressive Cello in New York City.

eLTacobar is located at 62 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For details, visit eltacobarny.com.

Loulou La Plage Comes to East Hampton

The beloved Loulou Petit Bistro on 8th Avenue in Chelsea is officially on its way to the East End this summer. Restaurateurs Mathias Van Leyden and Mino Habib will bring their French hotspot to The Maidstone Hotel (207 Main Street, East Hampton) beginning this week and will be staying through summer's end. Executive chef Evan Bergman will have a menu filled with French signatures complemented by picture perfect cocktails.

The East End pop-up, which will be called Loulou La Plage, will be officially booking reservations through Resy on the night of June 29, and will thereafter be open nightly for dinner with brunch served on weekends. A late night menu will also be offered from Thursday to Saturday from midnight to 2 a.m.

Holiday Hot Spots

This 4th of July, Crash Cantina (32 Lighthouse Road, Hampton Bays, theinnspot.com/crashcantina), the casual, quintessential dining experience at the Inn Spot on the Bay in Hampton Bays, celebrates with $10 house-made margaritas all day long. Located on the water and boasting stunning sunset views, it’s an ideal destination to enjoy all day long happy hour. Or start the long holiday weekend right with a Movie Night on the Lawn on Thursday, June 29. Additionally, from 2 to 11 p.m. June 30 to July 4, the restaurant offers live music, a DJ, and delicious bites.

In East Hampton, Sí Sí (295 Three Mile Harbor Hog Creek Road, East Hampton, ehpresort.com/sisi), which is situated directly on the water with views of Three Mile Harbor, is an open-air Mediterranean restaurant that immerses guests in flavors of Italy, Greece, Spain and Morocco. On July 4, the restaurant presents a DJ and live music.

Nearby, Sunset Harbor (313 Three Mile Harbor Hog Creek Road, East Hampton, ehpresort.com/sunsetharbor) which celebrates Japanese flavors and is home to the $10 frozen Sake Sangria and Rosé all summer long, will feature a Thursday Night Movie Night on the Lawn. Additionally, on July 2, taste unique flavors and sip on sake with Sunset Harbor’s Sushi Sundays featuring music from Obed Jean Louis.