Veteran local chef Winston Lyons has opened Winston’s Bar and Grill in the former Nichol’s location in East Hampton. Located at 100 Montauk Highway, Winston’s will offer a seafood and steak style menu with a Caribbean flavor.  Lyons is no stranger to Hamptons restaurants, spending time sharpening his skills in the kitchens of Bostwick’s, East Hampton Grill, East Hampton Point, and Turtle Crossing.  Winston’s will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner year round, with several weekly specials on tap.

Winston Lyons

The breakfast menu features popular breakfast favorites including: Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes ($8); French Toast crusted with almonds and pecans topped with an apple and banana rum sauce ($12); Huevos Rancheros ($13); Eggs Benedict ($13); and Granola topped with crunchy almonds and Caribbean fruit ($10).  Lyons’ Jamaican heritage is reflected in a few signature breakfast items including the Spicy Caribbean Shrimp Omelet ($14) and the Breakfast Wrap with eggs, chorizo sausage, fried plantains and spinach ($12).

The lunch menu includes a selection of classic items such as: Fried Calamari ($13); Steamed Mussels ($15); Grilled Cheeseburger served with plantain fries ($14); Fish and Chips ($17); and Steamed Lobster (MKT price).  As well, creative signature items include: Winston’s Greek Salad ($18) with chicken, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, olives, onions, green beans and roasted potatoes with a mustard Thyme dressing; Snow Crab Legs ($29 per lb); Rock Shrimp Salad with iceberg lettuce and spicy fried rock shrimp topped with a mustard honey vinaigrette ($18); and Grilled Chicken topped with roasted red peppers and onions on rye toast with plantain fries ($12).

Starters include: a raw bar selection of clams, shrimp and oysters; Spicy Seafood Cocktail ($22) featuring shrimp, house fish, lobster and conch; Citrus Caribbean Salad with arugula, spinach, avocado, grapefruit and orange with pomegranate vinaigrette ($12); and Caribbean Octopus Salad ($15) with peppers, onions and cucumbers.

The entrée portion of the menu includes: Sautéed Crab Meat ($26.50) served in the shell with a roasted garlic butter sauce and potato croquets; Grilled Salmon ($27) on a bed of mashed potatoes and house vegetables topped with lentil and caper vinaigrette; Fisherman’s Pot of the Day ($29.50) fresh caught seafood and Andouille sausage in a white wine tomato broth; All Natural Jerk Chicken ($27) with fried plantains; 16oz NY Strip Steak ($36) topped with an herb butter served with mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach; and Crusted Roast Prime ($43) served with roasted potatoes and house vegetables.

The original charm of the building remains, dating back to the days of The Quiet Clam in the 70s. The space offers a casual atmosphere with two dining areas both quaint and cozy. Wood is the predominant material throughout giving a rustic feel with several walls and the ceiling lined with repurposed wine crates.  Local photography is sprinkled throughout the dining areas along with conch shells on display for a little Caribbean flavor.  An outdoor lounge area will offer an al fresco option to enjoy cocktails and snacks in the warmer months.

Weekly specials Lyons is planning include: Tuesday night is Montauk night featuring dishes centered around Montauk sourced ingredients and 2 for 1 Montauk drafts; Sundays offer Caribbean-style suppers; and Thursday nights look for specials on Red Stripe beer and wings, featuring several styles including Asian and Caribbean.  A creative cocktail menu will offer some island themed concoctions such as Winston’s Signature Coco Punch with Shelback spiced rum, Finlandia coconut, Chambord liqueur, pineapple juice & orange juice, or the Mai Tai with Seven Tiki Spiced Fijian rum, Kraken, Cointreau and splash of orange juice and lime juice.  Winston’s Bar and Grill will be open seven days for breakfast from 8 a.m. – 11a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
** Location: 100 Montauk Highway, East Hampton, NY 11937; (631) 267-5400