KDHamptons Feast End News: WE’RE CRAZY OVER NEW GOURMET TO-GO SHOP~ PEPALAJEFA!

Pepalajefa a gourmet to-go shop located in the heart of Sag Harbor Village, opened on July 13, 2012. Owner Livia Hegner named the shop for a Spanish restaurant owner she fondly called “Pepa la jefa” or “Pepa the boss.” Hegner exclaims, “If it’s too much of a mouthful – just call us Pepa!”

The shop was designed by Craige Walters to exude an international atmosphere that transports customers by putting a fresh twist on the classic Italian macelleria. The walls are covered with global newspapers inspired by the owner’s global travels to small off-the-beaten track destinations. Custom lighting from Portugal and bold colors complete the space.

The shop offers old-fashioned, classic European-inspired foods with international zest. Hegner derived the vision for the menu from a lifetime of travel and family-inspired recipes. Her goal is to introduce customers to a European approach to cuisine with new flavor combinations, preparations and seasonings.

Hot and cold sandwiches priced from $4 to $9.75 include: EU-style roast beef sandwich with chopped Romaine, grilled radicchio and homemade mayonnaise on a baguette; Spanish bocadillos of toasted bread with choice of Russian salad (diced potatoes, peas, French green beans, chopped eggs and fresh herb mayonnaise), tuna salad, ham and cheese, egg salad; and steak sandwich with warm sliced New York strip steak, onion confit, Russian dressing and Swiss cheese on a baguette.

Soups are $5.50 to $8 and feature: Gazpacho Andaluz with onions, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and garlic; cold cucumber, leek and yogurt soup; and chilled garden pea soup with cream. Salads range from $7 to $60 per pound and include: Pot auf feu salad with diced beef, cornichons and onions; lobster salad; and Waldorf salad with celery root, apples, walnuts and mayonnaise.

Entrees are $8 to $25 and feature: crespelle or crepes stuffed with tomato and ricotta or chicken with champignon or lobster, spinach and ricotta; seafood lasagna with vegetables and mozzarella; and Moroccan chicken legs in a spiced tomato sauce.

Desserts are $5 to $36 and include: clafouti of black cherries baked in custard and dusted with powdered sugar; belle helene of poached pears with chocolate sauce; and handmade caramel chocolate candies.

In addition to the full lunch and dinner menu, light breakfast offerings will also be available. The shop will also offer an assortment of packaged house-made dressings, spice rubs and seasonings ranging from $7.50 to $17.95 that will give the home cook an array of international flavoring options.

Pepalajefa is open from Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to midnight.

*7 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963 [631] 899-4630 www.pepalajefa.com