Hamptons Restaurant Review: Indian Wells Tavern
The boisterous atmosphere of Indian Wells Tavern on Amagansett’s Main Street on a Thursday night reminds me of the Oxford pubs I used to enjoy while studying in England years ago. It’s an all-ages kind of neighborhood place. In fact there was a table of unbelievably loud teenage girls near us. I was relieved to discover that girls can still be loud—that it’s not all texting. Their server quieted them down.
Our server seemed genuinely enamored of many of the items on the menu. Thursday is Prime Rib Night, which means you can get soup or salad, prime rib, baked potato and vegetables for just $25. My friend and dining partner, Lee, and I made it a point to order different dishes from the menu. There are a lot of choices and, happily, many dishes feature local ingredients. I started with caponata served with grilled pita bread. The caponata was smoky and tender, not spicy. I ate the whole thing!
Lee started with an “Orange Crush” of Stoli Ohranj vodka, Triple Sec and Sprite, which he found to be “Strong. Good. Potent” He followed that liquid with the Soup of the Day—Tomato Bisque. He said it was “very sharp—I like it!” He went on to the House Smoked Ribs, which are done St. Louis Style. They’re served with cornbread, breaded sweet potato fries and (not-too-sweet) cole slaw. He quite enjoyed the dish.
I had to try the locally caught fluke prepared en papillote. The fish was well cooked to tenderness and served with summer squash and heirloom tomatoes, which was a good combination.
Multiple desserts beckoned. Kahlua Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Banana Taco with caramelized sliced banana….eventually we settled on Key Lime Pie for Lee and a classic ice cream sundae for me. I requested that they hold the rainbow sprinkles and I was good to go—vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, toasted nuts—“the whole enchilada.”
There’s truly something for everyone at Indian Wells Tavern—Mondays are “special”—offering Monday Night Football Specials including Montauk Brewing Company’s Driftwood Ale all season long. Or how about Monday’s Burger, Brew & Wings—a tavern burger with fries, a half-dozen Buffalo wings and a draft beer for $17.
Tuesday is Steak Night—soup or salad, steak with potato and vegetable for $27; add dessert and it’s only $30.
Wednesday is Fajita Night featuring your choice of steak, chicken or vegetable fajita and all the fixin’s for $19 plus “discount margaritas.”
There are 10 “happy hours” a week at Indian Wells. as Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday at the bar, 4 to 6 p.m., featuring reduced price drinks and a $6 bar menu.
Ladies Night is every Friday at 10 p.m. Six-dollar well drinks, $6 glasses of wine and $6 fireball shots for ladies are sure to get your weekend started with a bang.
Indian Wells Tavern, 177 Main Street, Amagansett, 631-267-0400, indianwellstavern.com.
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