Hamptons

Welcome to the neighborhood. Great seafood and I can wear my flip flops to dinner!

Awesome food
Such a nice change in manhattan beach
We needed that
Order the lobster rolls the nailed the bread it’s amazing!!!

I am so sad i just heard this wonderful restaurant has closed i cant imagine why, we have been going here since the first week it opened the best seafood dishes i have had anywhere and the staff were great. God how am i going to break this to my family. Anyone know if they’re n another location i cant see them closing for lack of business good food great prices what a shame. The first place i tried lobster bisque yummy i now like that more than clam chowder

We just drove down there for lunch and the place has closed down. A worker from next store said it had been that way for a week. I also called the number and got no answer and it went to voice mail… Sucks, I was really looking forward to using my living social coupon and eating all the lobster dishes I could…

Came to Hamptons with a Groupon.
The interior has some cute aspects that play well with the theme but then has some short cuts which really stick out like sore thumbs. The tables are a bit small and close together. In no way does this play into the review but it is too bad they don’t have any outdoor seating.
The food is average, portions are small and prices are high. Decent beer and wine selection. Service is friendly but not very knowledgeable.
With all the competition in the area, Hampton’s needs to step up its game or six months from now they will be «that place that used to be next to Wahoo’s».

Very friendly, privately owned restaurant in downtown Manhattan Beach in one of the busier bar and restaurant districts. The co-​owner Chris was working the front on a really busy night, but kept giving everyone that was waiting to be seated updates and constant time estimates which helped the wait tremendously. Even after being seated, he insisted on buying a beer for being so patient, which was really nice.
The restaurant itself is small but cozy. There are about 12 – 15 tables and a large circular bar that seats about 8. They specialize in seafood, and the menu is printed on the placemat in front of you which adds to the cozy, hominess feel. They give you a nice basket of fresh bread after you order.
I ordered the Lobster bisque, the Caesar salad with anchovies, and the house specialty, pistachio crusted halibut. The food came out relatively quickly, and was really good. The bisque was rich and creamy, really amazing. I would definitely order that again. The anchovies in the caesar salad were a little strong for me, however; after the first 3, I put the rest aside and ate around the salty little fish.
With the halibut, you’re able to order 2 sides. I ordered the grilled beets and mashed potatoes, which went along well with the halibut. The beets especially were fantastic, it’s something I don’t remember seeing as sides in similar restaurants and something I recommend. As for the halibut itself, the pistachios definitely add a nice crunchy texture and the taste goes well with the flaky fish. Very good and worth visiting just for this dish.
Definitely a great place to go for dinner if you’re ever in the area. The food is fresh and the recipes are new and original enough to make it worth a first or second trip. Service is excellent also which makes this a really great find.

Went here with a Groupon. The food is delicious! Not to mention the nice beach area neighborhood!
These are what we ordered:
Open Beer Flight: North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner, Chimay Tripel White, Seadog Blueberry Ale, Allagash White Ale
Lobster Bisque (cup) *yum*
Crab Cakes *yum*
Fish and Chips
Sweet Potato Fries
Amagansett Lobster Roll
The waitress is nice and friendly. The beer flight is such a steal, you can to taste 4 beers for only $ 8! I had the waitress pick some nice & sweet ones for me. They turned out really good. The seafood is great here. For the Amagansett Lobster Roll, you get to pick to have it served hot (butter) or cold (mayo). I had it cold, but I think served hot will be much better than cold. Well, next time!

The service and food here was excellent, We were promptly greeted by a very friendly staff and quickly taken to a table.
The wine and beer list was lengthy and full of nice selections. The beer list was impressive loaded with craft beers on tap. The also had a pick four sampler where you can pick the ones you want to try.
Our waiter then proceeded to bring over a basket of warn sourdough bread. This was some of the best sourdough we have ever had. We ordered the lobster mac and cheese and Pistachio crusted halibut. Both dishes were very excellent. The presentation and quality were top notch. We were very happy with the portion size of the halibut as many places have been skimping in this area. Not here!!!
Being from New England this place is a good representation of Northeastern food.
I am looking forward to trying the lobster roll next time.
If you are looking for excellent seafood with an New England flair this place won’t disappoint.

This is when I wish that Unilocal provided a 10-​star rating system. Three stars mean that a restaurant is just «A-​OK,» but four stars means «Yay! I’m a fan.» Hamptons is better than just «OK,» but I won’t go so far as to proclaim myself as a «fan» or to shout «yah!» out loud. I will, however, find an opportunity to go back.
Those who are familiar with my reviews know that I am a stickler for good service. Although the service at Hamptons was friendly and efficient, it lacked the proficiency to be anything more than 3-​star. The casual atmosphere of the place lowered my expectations, and made the service acceptable. I look forward to returning for a casual lunch, or maybe I’ll try their breakfast, but I expect more when I’m paying the kinds of prices associated with seafood.
My wife and I shared four dishes. We started with the lobster mac & cheese. It was agreed that the lobster pieces on top were a tad chewy, probably because they had been cooked well in advance. We also agreed that the mac & cheese would have been better with some cheddar in lieu of the mozzarella. It was perhaps the presence of the mozzarella that led to the sauce being a bit curdled and bland. For wonderful examples of lobster mac & cheese you should go to any Capital Grille or Blue Plate Oysterette in Santa Monica.
The crab cake was meaty, but by West Coast standards only average. By East Coast standards it was below average. The accompanying salad was nicely dressed, and we both enjoyed it more than the crab cake. Again, to see what a crab cake is supposed to be go to Capital Grille.
The highlight of our meal was the scallops. They were seasoned and cooked perfectly. The accompanying risotto with a mango sauce was a nice accompaniment to the scallops. We both highly recommend this dish. It is so rare to find such perfectly cooked scallops. I can’t wait to go back just to see if this is done consistently. The side of grilled vegetables was meager, and little more than a garnish to the plate.
Finally, the lobster roll was tasty, but not even as good as The Lobster Truck’s. The buttered roll was tasty, the lobster lightly mayonnaised, but the meat was a bit chewy. Despite this I would perhaps order it again. My wife, on the other hand, considered the potato chips the best part of the dish.
The complimentary cookies with our bill were a nice touch, a tasty finish, and much more appreciated than the obligatory offer to sell us a dessert that we really didn’t need in any event. If this review sounds rough, just know that I look forward to going back to try some of the other entrées. I encourage you to try it yourself.

Came here with my family on Saturday night since my dad had a Groupon and it was overall a decent experience. First things first, the neon sign is impossible to read. Could not read the name of this place in the evening, so if you’re having a hard time finding it just keep an eye out for the bright blue mess.
People have been saying that this place is owned by the same people that run Mama D’s and you can immediately tell that is the case when you walk in. The place is small and everything is packed really close together. The décor is also pretty minimal, with just a few things on the wall and some rather interesting lighting arrangements.
But while the cramped tables and small space seems to work in Mama D’s favor, makes it feel more «cozy» and authentic, it doesn’t really jive for the Hamptons. The tables and chairs are just too small for a place where you are expected to order platters of oysters and flat-​bread pizzas. Especially since this isn’t a pizza place so they don’t have stands to set the flat-​breads on.
We ordered a few different things and while the food was good, I just can’t really see myself hankering to return for anything I tried.
Pros:
— The bread was nice and warm.
— «Shrimp and lobster wontons» were very tasty. Although to be honest, it tasted like these were actually no shrimp and imitation lobster wontons. Still yummy though!
— Risotto that came with the scallop dish was very nice. While pretty heavy with cream and cheese, the rice was cooked perfectly and the consistency was spot on.
— Service was pretty quick and very friendly.
Cons:
— The flat-​bread pizza was missing ingredients. We ordered the «proscuitto, wild mushroom, crispy shallots and arugula» flat-​bread and I kept asking my party «Did anyone get any prosciutto? I can’t taste any prosciutto!» I’m pretty sure they either forgot it or they ran out. I had a really hard time finding the crispy shallots too. There was plenty of arugula and mushrooms, but not much else. Also, several bites I got were a mouth full of flour. I checked the underside and lo-​and-​behold, the flat-​bread was coated with a layer of flour. Not really appetizing.
— The scallops didn’t have a good sear. Usually this happens when they leech too much liquid into the pan or the pan just isn’t hot enough. There wasn’t a good crust formed on the scallops so they just ended up being really soft and undercooked. While they looked like they had the seared color, the texture fell totally flat. I also had some grit in a few bites, possibly from not being properly cleaned. No bueno.
— The lobster bisque was lukewarm. While the bisque had a decent flavor, there were no chunks of lobster in it. Instead what you get is lots of little chopped up pieces that sort of resembled lobster but were so dark in color that it could have been almost anything. I’m fairly sure this is a prepackaged soup that they do not make in house. At least, that’s what it tastes like.
I don’t mean to sound like a harsh critic but I had pretty high expectations for this place, especially since they call themselves the Hamptons.
With the name alone, I was expecting stellar seafood from a place so close to the beach and yet nothing was really better than just OK.
Personally, I don’t really see myself coming back to the Hamptons and it’s unfortunate because I really wanted to like this new addition to the Manhattan Beach landscape. All I can say is: try it for yourself!

Lobster bisque is really good and rich. The food was really fresh and cooked nicely. They don’t use much seasoning, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re watching your wasteline :-) which I currently am, but a little sprinkle of salt wouldn’t hurt. It’s a small, cozy, dimly lit place that would be nice for a date.
The server was also very accomodating. Looking forward to going back to try something else on the menu

My bf and I came in after I saw a living social deal. I didn’t know this place was even here even though I’ve been to Mama D’s and wahoos right next door! I lived in Boston for 3 years so after checking out the menu I decided I needed to try this place.
My bf started with a beer tasting which is great since they have a great offering of beers on tap. For food we got the crab cakes, pistachio crusted halibut and the Lobster Mac & Cheese. The crab cakes are bomb! It even comes with a very nice side salad. The halibut had a nice coating and was a good portion. Also comes with your choice of two sides. I really liked the lobster Mac & Cheese mostly cause it isn’t super heavy but had a good flavor. I wished it had a littler bit more lobster (like chunks– reason for 4 not 5 stars).
BUT what really makes the experience is the owner Chris, who also owns Mama D’s, he is awesome! He really makes sure you have a great dining experience and is very passionate about his restaurants. Next time we go I want to try the Lobster Roll! it’s a great local restaurant. We liked it a lot. And will come back cause it is so close to our house.

I was trying to come up with something good to say, but all that comes to mind is: Meh. Service was fine, not overly good, definitely not bad. Food was overall a bit undercooked and under seasoned. My roasted beets were almost raw, but the salmon was cooked well. My friend had the scallops and unfortunately the risotto it came with was a bit on the crunchy side.
The place was pretty empty, so if you’re looking for a happening bar scene this would not be the place for you. And for the price, I don’t really feel the food is worth it.

Like several others here, I came here because I had a groupon and was craving lobster rolls. Unfortunately the lobster roll was dry, stringy/​shredded (rather than those huge chunks I had been craving), flavorless, and definitely not fresh.
I can’t attest to the quality of the other food here (my bf had some kind of crusted fish which he seemed to enjoy more), but if you come, pass on the lobster roll.

My friend and I came in after the MB fireworks last night. I had a Groupon and was half-​expecting the «oh, you got a groupon, you cheapskate» kind-​of-​service, especially since we were coming on a night when they would have gotten plenty of non-​Groupon walk-​ins. Quite the contrary! First off, we arrived 30 min before our reservations but they had no problem seating us at the bar, which we didn’t mind — we were hungry! We were enjoying the tasty crusty bread and butter when our server asked us to move down one seat so they could seat a couple next to us — and to make up for that, he brought us some shrimp cocktail! That was really sweet!
My friend and I split the lobster tacos and the pistachio-​crusted halibut with a side of roasted beets and roasted veggies. The halibut was a bit dry but it came with an amazing sauce on the side, which made up for that. The lobster tacos were yummy. We also got a glass of wine each, which got refilled for free towards the end of our meal for no reason whatsoever. I loved it. If every business on Groupon treated their customers this way, they’d be much better off!
I can’t wait to come back to try the rest of the seafood on the menu and their raw oysters! Great addition to the MB culinary scene!

Came here today with my mom because we had a Groupon deal. I’ve seen this place several times for brunch on the weekend with my boyfriend but we never went because it was always closed (they open at 12 on Sat.). Found out that they’re thinking of being open earlier and are working on their brunch menu.
So we ordered crabcakes, the lunch special salmon, and a blue cheese burger. While we were waiting, they let us try a new huevos rancheros item that they are thinking of putting on their breakfast menu. It was really good! When our food arrived, the crab cakes had a lot of crab and not all «fillers» like some other crab cakes. It also came with a salad. My burger was also good and the meat wasn’t overcooked. My mom’s salmon was also delicious. Our server was very attentive and very nice. She always checked up on us to see how we were doing. A+ for the service! Overall we had a great experience and I’ll come back with my boyfriend when they open for brunch :)

The casual vibe gave me low expectations, but every bit of food was good and well prepared. Service was also really good.
Downside: Seems like all of the tables were very slippery on the feet. It definitely makes for a bit of awkwardness.
Upside: Bread, clam chowder, lobster tacos, pisachio breaded halibut, cherry quinoa, and beats with goat cheese: All delish!!!

Here’s my beef with this seafood shack– it is in one of the most desirable locations as far as mb eateries go. However, I feel like they don’t really know what they want. The inside atmosphere gives a casual vibe, with multiple tv’s playing sports, and beachy décor– yet it is juxtaposed against $ 29-​$ 45 per plate entrees.
The menu is somewhat small, and the food I have gotten is eh… The first time I went– I got the halibut. It was ok, but definitely nothing to write home about. The second time, I received the scallops which were undercooked. The third time, I got the lobster tacos. The lobster did not taste fresh, and the only sauce they provide for the tacos is some kind of mayonnaise, which I hate.
For the most part, I feel the chef should focus on the sauces to enhance the flavor of these foods. Maybe a cilantro/​tomatillo salsa? a dill/​sour cream dip? perhaps a lemon/​garlic drizzle over the grilled shrimp?
As an aside– one of their sides is «goat cheese.» we actually got a paper ketchup cup full of goat cheese. I thought it was going to be encrusted with drizzled honey, but nope straight from ralph’s deli– goat cheese.
I think if Hampton’s wants to do high end, they have to get rid of the tv’s and invest more focus in the freshness and quality of their seafoods, and the presentation. If they want to be more like a fishbar (which is btw packed to the gills .no pun intended– every day and night), then keep the tv’s, lower the prices, and beef… eh fish up the menu.

A few weeks back I cut out an ad in the Beach Reporter for the Hamptons that said «Best Happy Hour in Downtown Monday — Friday 4:30 — 6:30.» I finally had a chance to go last night (Friday) and the Host said happy hour is Monday-​Thursday and ends at 6. Why would you run an ad about your «Best» happy hour and then change the days and hours a few weeks later?
Update 8÷30÷2012: So last week I called and the person on the other end of the phone said happy hour was Monday-​Friday until 6. Today the local paper again has an ad that says Monday-​Friday until 6:30. Wow, I think there needs to be a bit more training for the staff on what is really going on.
Update 8÷31÷2012: Armed with the ad from the paper I arrived for Happy Hour on Friday. The host was apologizing to a couple about the happy hour. They had a blackboard with happy hour listed as daily until 6, but the policy had changed. Apparently, they ended up having to order off the regular menu. The manager was nearby and offered to honor the happy hour prices. I had the Lobster Wontons and the Clams and Mussels along with two drafts. Everything was good, but nothing really stood out as special. I’ll have to revisit for something off the regular menu. The happy hour is definitely Mon-​Thurs 4pm to 6pm and is printed on their happy hour menu. I understand the ads in the paper were probably placed before the change in policy, but it seems the blackboard would have been an easy fix. Especially since the new hours have been in place for at least a few weeks.

We wanted to try the truffle honey fried chicken at MB Post but found out its only available at brunch or lunch soooo we decided to walk across the street and try Hamptons.
We ordered:
Fried clams– lots of small pieces tasted just like crunchy bits, not much clam.
Clam chowder– yummy, creamy with a bit of spice.
Lobster bisque-blah…nothing special.
Fish and Chips-​fish had no flavor, batter had a baking soda/​powder taste. Fries were yummy and thin. Cole slaw was not visually appealing (looked like strawberry yogurt was spilled all over it) and it was a bit on the sour side.
Service– :-), they checked back many times but we asked the runner who dropped off our food for ketchup but he forgot so we asked someone else and they brought it to us right away.
I wish the chowder came with bread instead of crackers.
I might come back for chowder and a drink only.