Before heading out to watch the fireworks for the 4th, be sure to get a good meal first!

On Thursday, June 29th, the Southampton Inn is having a Consentino wine dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. The five-course menu prepared by chef Joe Hsu will be paired with Consentino Wines from Napa Valley. The menu will include: Crescent Farm foie gras brioche, avocado lump crab ceviche with Patron reduction, plantain-encrusted tuna with dark currant coulis, chanterelle mushroom salad and Oreo beignets. The cost is $65 per person plus tax & tip. For reservations call (631) 283-6500 or go to www.southamptoninn.com.

In Montauk, the Surfside Inn Restaurant and Bar has a new summer menu from head chefs John Morgan and Juan Brufau. Chef Morgan brings his own dishes including seafood fajitas served on a sizzling hot plate with lobster, shrimp, scallops, and flounder, with mouth watering tropical mango pineapple salsa. Chef Juan Brufau has added stove-top smoked fish over salads, cerviche served in fresh coconut shells, and swordfish with his own variation of tapenade, not to mention homemade desserts such as tequila key lime pie, crème brûlée, and warm Bananas Foster to the menu. For reservations or a complete menu call (631) 668-5958.

On the way back from Montauk, check out 27 Lobster and Surf Shack, in Amagansett, which has introduced their summer cocktail menu with every crazy concoction imaginable, drinks such as Adam’s Apple, Dante’s Inferno, Shark Attack, and many others. They are also celebrating the 4th of July by hosting a festive holiday party on Saturday, July 1st, starting at 6 p.m. There will be live music, Caribbean dancers, belly dancers, and flame-throwers, all for no charge. They are also now open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For more information call (631) 267-6980.

For a dining experience check out the new restaurant in East Hampton, CoCo Restaurant at the Maidstone Arms. They offer island inspired cuisine by Chef Peter Miller, with a prix fixe dinner menu available all night Sunday thru Thursday and until 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The prix fixe cost $22 per person, plus tax and tip. For more information or details call (631) 324-5008.
Cajun fever has hit Sag Harbor with Mumbo Gumbo now open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Cajun BBQ joint is serving breakfast from 7 to 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to midnight. The menu, courtesy of executive chef Julio Quisbert and sous-chef Evan Hass, offers Cajun specialties at an affordable price. For reservations or more information call (631) 725-7427.

In Amagansett, Pacific East has announced their summer prix fixe menu, super sushi night on Mondays, and Wild Wine Wednesdays. The prix fixe is offered Friday thru Wednesday night from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and all night on Thursday. The prix fixe is $24.95 per person for the three-course dinner. Monday nights get 1/2 price sushi and drink specials all night. Every Wednesday night all wines on the award-winning wine list will be available at a 25% discount. For more details call (631) 267-7770.

We hear Art of Eating’s Cheryl Stair, Hampton’s premier caterer to the stars, will pour her soul into a meal attended by the queen of soul. For The Ross School’s Concert Dinner on July 3rd, featuring Aretha Franklin, Cheryl Stair r-e-s-p-e-c-t-s her own signature style by cooking with local ingredients. Green Thumb gathered greens will be presented with a lot of cucumbers, radishes and herbs. Grilled, local striped bass will be dished up with a fresh tomato compote and garden herbs on a bed of corn and green bean sauté. To top it off, guests will feast on a mille-feuille cake with 20 layers of thin French crepes separated by Chantilly cream, finished with an almond scented crème Anglaise and toasted almonds.

While in Hampton Bays, check out Villa Paul Restaurant which features northern Italian and continental cuisine. They are open seven days a week starting at 4:30 p.m. and also have a private room for special occasions. For more details or a reservation call them at (631) 728-3261.

Michael’s at Maidstone Beach in East Hampton is offering a three-course prix fixe seven days a week, all night long. They also offer lobster night, steak night, pasta night and king-cut prime rib night. For reservations or more information call (631) 324-0725.