Topping Rose House restaurant, acclaimed chef Tom Colicchio’s seasonal American restaurant located in Bridgehampton, will host an Autumn Orchard Festival, celebrating the start of the fall season this Saturday, Oct. 5 & Sunday, Oct. 6. Topping Rose House welcomes adults and kids to partake in the festivities at Topping Rose House’s orchard.

Family-friendly activities include: pumpkin decorating, making caramel apples, farm tours and activities. Mulled cider, local beer, cider doughnuts and grilled sausages and veggies will be served. The Autumn Orchard Festival takes place from 12pm to 3pm. Admission is all-inclusive, $35 for adults, and $15 for children.

At Topping Rose House, Colicchio [above] follows the tradition of his New York restaurants Craft and Colicchio & Sons by honoring the best possible ingredients. The menu, under the guidance of chef de cuisine Ty Kotz, begins with first courses such as Burrata with Braised Zucchini, and main courses including Roasted Saddle of Rabbit with Pickled Watermelon and Chanterelles. The dessert menu highlights local seasonal flavors with dishes such as Crème Fraiche Panna Cotta with Black Mint, Cornmeal Streusel and Sugar Plum Sorbet.

Pictured below, are some of the delicious dishes KDH is crazy about including: Braised Zucchini and crispy Zucchini Blossoms, Beet Risotto with Goat Cheese and Roasted and Raw Beets, followed by the Sweet Corn Agnolotti with Leekcs and Summer Truffle, the Striped Bass with Ssugarsnap peas, green yellow and wax bean and summer Truffle, and the Grilled Wagyu Skirt Steak with Sweet Pepper Relish and fried fingerling potatoes.

Dessert is a must-DO when experiencing a new restaurant for the first time, so we went for it! The Warm Chocolate Tart with Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream, the Cardamon-Spiced Doughnuts with Raspberry Sherbet and Lemon Cream, and the Cream Cheese Ice Cream Parfait with stewed Blueberries and Graham cracker Crumble were all heavenly delights. My fav? The Ice Cream Parfait for its originality and pretty presentation.

A wrap-around porch, open seasonally, leads to the 25-seat bar room, a welcoming place for a drink and a bite. Guests can sit at the aqua lacquered bar or lounge beside one of the two original fireplaces. Arguably, this is officially the best looking bar in the Hamptons. Striking video art by renowned local artist Robert Wilson is on display.

A mix of contemporary and traditional elements creates an inviting yet modern feel in the 50-seat dining room. A photograph by local artist Clifford Ross serves as a dramatic focal point and is set against white mill work walls and wide wood plank floors that are reminiscent of a country barn. Milk glass and iron drum pendant lamps illuminate the room, which is filled with handcrafted black lacquered chairs.

An austere old oil portrait of Judge Topping Rose hangs in the entry way to the hotel across from an ethereal horse painting by Joe Andoe [below], who happens to be one of my favorite artists!

Open year-round, the Topping Rose House restaurant serves dinner, with breakfast, lunch and brunch to follow. Private events for up to 75 guests are available in the adjacent barn [below], which has been carefully restored from the original property. I took a peek inside and loved the rustic chic feel of the space~ perfect for a Hamptons wedding or party.

Co-owners Bill Campbell and Simon Critchell worked with local architecture firm Roger Ferris & Partners and Champalimaud interior design to emphasize comfort, luxury and the original antique appointments of the property.

Location: One Bridgehampton – Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton; 631.537.0870

Dining room hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 5:30pm – 10pm
http://www.toppingrosehouse.com

*PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLI DELANEY KOT