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New and Notable restaurants on the East End

BY JOAN REMINICK | STAFF WRITER

Dinner at The Fifth Season in Greenport (Photo by - Gordon M. Grant)

It would hardly be summer on the East End without a flurry of grand entrances onto the local dining scene. So, who are this season's debutantes?

In Westhampton Beach, The Brick Steak House (142 Mill Rd., no phone yet) is shooting for a mid-June opening on the site where Seven was. Under the same ownership as Mazzei's in Blue Point, it will feature the classic steakhouse menu of chef Danny Phua, formerly of Cilantro's in Blue Point. Also in Westhampton Beach, The Patio (54 Main St., 631-288-4878) has been reborn under a new chef -- Matthew Guiffrida (formerly of the Inn at Quogue) -- and a "New World cuisine" menu.

Southampton is home to the new James on Main (75 Main St., 631-283-7575), where chef Brian Cheewing, formerly of George Martin, serves up an eclectic bill of fare. Look for the any-moment opening of the Northern Italian Nello Summertimes (136 Main St., 631-287-5500), an offshoot of restaurateur Nello Balan's Manhattan hot spot. Another Manhattanite, Ed "Jean-Luc" Kleefeld, is hoping for a mid-June debut of Madame Tong's at the JL Beach Club (256 Elm St., 631-204-0300), with a Pan-Asian menu devised by Rosa Lo San Ross (Scrimshaw in Greenport) and executed by Julio Quisbert.

Trata East, the Water Mill branch of Trata Estiatorio in Manhattan, is slated to open July 1 at 1050 Montauk Hwy. (no phone yet), where Gin Lane was. Chef Christos Christou is bringing along his city team to staff the year-round spot, which will serve Greek specialties and seafood by the pound.

In Sag Harbor, Daniele at 21 Water (21 W. Water St., 631-735- 7500) showcases the Italian-Mediterranean repertoire of Orlando chef Massimo Esposito.

The flavors of Mexico are central to Almondito (290 Montauk Hwy., East Hampton, 631-329-6700), where Ristorante Capri was. It's co-owned by maitre d' Eric Lemonides and chef Jason Weiner of Almond in Bridgehampton.

In Montauk, Aqua East replaces Aqua Terre at 17 S. Edison Dr., 631-668-4147. Chef Chris Koslowski, who was at Montauk's Breakwater Cafe, cooks in Italian. Nearby, The Lakeside (183 Edgemere St., 631-668-3455), should be afloat this weekend, serving lobster rolls alfresco; by night, it will morph into a dance club. Another casual Montauker, Reef Grill (Montauk State Park, 631-668- 5153), offers the sea-centered fare of Christopher Hewitt, who cooked at Mesa Grill in the city.

On the quieter North Fork, The Fifth Season (45 Front St., Greenport, 631-477-8500) stars chef-owner Erik Orlowski, formerly of Sapore di Mare in Wainscott. Orlowski, a member of the Slow Food movement, utilizes local bounty in a contemporary American way.