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The Driver’s Seat Restaurant has been a well-known Southampton staple—it’s a place to grab a cold beer, nosh on a hamburger or some tasty pub fare, and catch up with friends.
The look of the establishment has not changed much in the nearly 50 years it has been open, either. Late afternoon sunlight still filters through the blue stained-glass windows wrapping around the ceiling of the restaurant’s rear dining room, which resembles an upside-down ship’s hull.
Today, though, a recent renovation gives the establishment a lighter, more airy feeling, Irma Herzog, who bought the business in 2005, explained.
“I love the light that’s come in,” Ms. Herzog said.
She explained that construction crews completed a renovation in the late spring in which the front door was moved and replaced and a wall of glass doors was installed in the front of the building.
“I’m glad I did the renovation,” Ms. Herzog said. “It brought in new people in July and August. And the regulars are glad I did it, too.”
Crews gave the front dining room a face-lift by removing the booths that lined it and putting in tables in order to accommodate larger parties, Ms. Herzog said.
“Now the tables can be pulled apart and pushed together,” said Corinne Rueb, the manager of the restaurant. “We can have 13, 14 people at a table.”
While the renovation gave the establishment a bit of contemporary flair, the traditional aspects of the space are still intact. The dark wood paneling was preserved, and the back patio and bar, a popular summer hangout, remains, Ms. Rueb noted.
Ms. Herzog noted that the building the Driver’s Seat inhabits was first used as a produce shop in the 1880s. The Driver’s Seat was established in the 1960s. According to the restaurant’s website, the bar and restaurant was given its name by the original owner, Kingsley Moore, because he was a fan of auto racing and knew many of the drivers at the Bridgehampton race circuit off Bridgestone Road in Noyac, which is now the site of The Bridge golf course.
Many of the drivers and their pit crews stopped at The Driver’s Seat after a day at the track, according to the website.
Ms. Herzog, who bought the restaurant in February 2005 from Ken Kingsley, Doug Murtha, and John Barnhill, noted that in 2010 the restaurant will be celebrating its 50th year in business.
Like the decor and architecture of the restaurant, The Driver’s Seat menu has also remained recognizable. Ms. Rueb noted that people still travel from far and wide for the Driver’s Seat clam casserole, a traditional favorite made from chopped clams, seasoning and other ingredients baked in a casserole dish until crispy and served with crackers and fresh lemon.
Hamburgers are still a big seller at the Driver’s Seat, too, Ms. Rueb said. She noted that the restaurant’s chefs use only grade-A hamburger meat from Cromer’s Market on Noyac Road in Sag Harbor. The eight-ounce burgers start at $12.
For vegetarians, The Driver’s Seat also offers a thick, healthy veggie burger for $13.
In addition to the old favorites, Ms. Herzog added some of her personal flair to the menu. She singled out one of her favorites, Irma’s fajitas, served on a sizzling platter and featuring either tequila-marinated steak, chicken or shrimp sauteed with onions and peppers. The fajitas are accompanied with Mexican-style rice and refried black beans, tortillas and a house salsa.
Diners can add a margarita or Corona to the dish for just $1 extra, according to the menu.
Ms. Herzog also put a French bean and artichoke salad on the menu, a large helping of fresh veggies that features French beans, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, tomatoes and roasted peppers topped with a honey-mustard herb dressing. She also added lobster rolls, crab cakes, a sweet spinach salad, filet mignon and chicken quesadillas to the menu.
A couple from Manhasset who had taken the day to drive out to Southampton enjoyed a cup of seafood chowder and a large salad late last Thursday afternoon.
“The food is always very good and fresh,” said Joan Levine. “The price is right and we love the atmosphere.”
Ms. Levine said that she and her husband, Bob, enjoy walking around Southampton Village during the off-season.
Another couple, the Velyses, who were enjoying the chicken wings along with one of The Driver’s Seat wine selections, said that they had been coming to the restaurant for more than 20 years and will continue to patronize it into the future.
“The service here is excellent,” said Ross Velys, the owner of Revco Electrical Supply, which is headquartered on County Road 39 in Southampton.
His wife, Theodora, agreed, explaining that it is very convenient for her and Mr. Velys to stop in during the workday, grab a bite to eat, and talk business.
“And since we own a local business, we like to go to other local businesses,” Ms. Velys said.
The Driver’s Seat has also earned a reputation for serving fine cocktails and drinks, Ms. Herzog said, noting that the bartender, Thomas Alexander, has worked at the restaurant for more than 30 years and is well known to all.
Among his most famous drinks, Ms. Herzog listed the perennially popular Long Island iced tea, Bloody Marys, and strawberry daiquiris.
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