KDHamptons

KDHamptons: How long have you been coming to the Hamptons? Why do you love it so much?

Carolyn Heft-Levinbook: I have been coming to the Hamptons since I was a young teenager.  I’m from Canada, and my aunt, uncle and cousin had a house in Southampton that we would visit regularly. They lived up the street from where I live now.  The Hamptons has always been a special place for me, as it is where I met my husband.

I also used to work on exciting events for Strategic Group in the Hamptons, including Bridgehampton Polo, Diddy’s White Party, the launch of Smirnoff Ice, and the Playstation Hotel and Playstation Mansion Parties.  They were great events to be a part of.  I love so many things about the Hamptons: everything from its big open sky, fresh air and beautiful white sand beaches to the delicious lobster and small farms make it such a unique and special place.  There are fantastic towns with wonderful shops, and I love the feeling of being in the country.  I also love that you can relax if you want to, or go out for dinner and experience a fun social scene.

KDHamptons: Describe your Hamptons Players Club: What inspired you to open a restaurant?

CHL: The Hamptons Players Club is a polo and equestrian themed restaurant, beer garden and lounge. The food is amazing and it’s also healthy, which is a combination that can be hard to find. We have whole grain thin crust pizzas from a wood burning oven, and pastas that are whole wheat as well.  Chef Hector Diaz makes unbelievable dishes including fish tacos, turkey bolognese, and a roasted half chicken with a sauce so delicious I want to take a bath in it!

My brother-in-law and husband and I wanted to have a place of our own that served food we like to eat.  Hamptons Players Club really is a one-stop-shop. We can eat, hang out in the amazing outdoor beer garden, and spend leisure time in our lounge.  When you have everything that you need to enjoy yourself in one place, why go anywhere else? We also all love horses, so the polo/equestrian theme was a perfect fit.

KDH: Personal style: do you have a Hamptons “uniform”? Which designer do you wear the most here? Describe your style?

CHL: I do have a few Hamptons uniforms!  I like to wear rompers and maxi dresses, and I most enjoy a preppy-sexy look that consists of shorter shorts paired with a bright belt, wedges and polo shirt.  When I go out at night, I always wear dresses.

My favorite designers that I wear most often in the Hamptons are DVF, Michael Kors and Raquel Allegra. Michael Kors wedges are a must.  Sergio Rossi and Brian Atwood heels are also amazing and make all girls legs look long – careful on the gravel in the Hamptons parking lots though – rough terrain!  My favorite stores in the Hamptons are 25 Park in Bridgehampton and Blue and Cream in East Hampton.

KDH: Other than your own, what is your favorite restaurant, got a favorite dish and drink you get every time?

CHL: Aside from Hamptons Players Club, my favorite restaurant for lunch is Provisions in Sag Harbor. Try the turkey tacos~ they are outrageous!

If I’m going for a fancier lunch with my girlfriends I really like to sit outside at Pierre’s [left]. For dinner, my fave is Sen Sushi in Sag Harbor. I also think Bobby Vans in Bridgehampton is great too. I would like to eat at Red Bar in Southampton more often, as they do have incredible food…

KDH: Describe your perfect Hamptons day in detail for KDHamptons readers?

CHL: My perfect Saturday in the Hamptons would start with hanging out by the pool with my family, then going to Long Beach for a walk with my husband while my son rides his bike. Then, we’d head over to Provisions and take a stroll through Sag Harbor. After that, we’d go back to the pool, take a nap, and reconvene for a glass of champagne in the kitchen. In the evening, we’d go for dinner at The Hamptons Players Club, of course!

My perfect Sunday consists of going to Sunset Beach on Shelter Island, and then eating Pizza at Players Club in the Beer Garden.

A perfect weekday is working out on my tennis court with Fabrizio, and going to the beach in Montauk.  After that, eating at Lunch and picking my son up from Hamptons Country Day Camp, then heading over to Hamptons Players Club. We have a kids menu. I do like to BBQ at home, too!

KDH: What is the greatest part about your job? Conversely, if you could snap your fingers and instantly have another career~ what would be your dream job?

CHL: The greatest part of my job is meeting new people who come to the Players Club and hosting a dinner every Saturday night for my friends at my own venue. I also enjoy booking events, creating our advertising, coming up with marketing ideas and working with our PR company.

If I could snap my fingers and have another career, I would want to be a pop star, but realistically I would want work with John Walsh to find missing children and produce segments on his show America’s Most Wanted.

KDH: What is your best-kept secret about the Hamptons?

CHL: The best kept secret in the Hamptons is Wolffer’s Wine Stand on Friday nights. They have a great band and provide blankets, tasty wines and cheese plates. Walking through the Bird Sanctuary is really amazing, too.

KDH: Do you have any big events happening this summer to share with our readers?

CHL: Players Club and Hamptons Magazine will be hosting Ping Pong Sundays with different themes.  We are also hosting a screening of Spiderman.

KDH: How do you get so gorgeous? Do you have a workout routine here? If so, where do you go?

CHL: I’m flattered that you think I am gorgeous. Thank you! I work out 7 days a week. Fabrizio, who owns Desmofit and also works at the restaurant Social Club in Southampton, is my trainer.   He is truly the very best! He is a butt-kicker; every workout is insane. I also jog or briskly walk at Long Beach in Sag Harbor. I really enjoy paddle boarding with Paddle Diva; being out on the ocean is freeing and zen.  I’m always trying new workouts and classes.  I go to Physique 57, I’ve never spun before so I’m going to try SoulCycle this summer, and we have Remorca Fitness hosting yoga classes at Players Club, which will be fun.  I exercise to eat!

KDH: Share four beauty/makeup products you can’t live without in the summer…

CHL: I can’t live without the Sadick Dermatology Group cream set that you can buy at Sephora. It has an AM cream with SPF 20 as well as fantastic PM serums.  I also regularly wear Chanel Black Liquid Eyeliner, MAC lip-gloss (I stock up on a variety) and use an SPF 50 sunscreen from Elizabeth Arden.  Most importantly, I can’t live without my hairdresser, Marc Mena from Warren Tricomi.

KDH: Pick four people dead or alive that you would love to host at the restaurant?

CHL: I would like to host Steven Spielberg; Alanis Morissette; my fabulous step-mom Linda who passed away years ago; and Donna Summer.