Sam Talbot

We head out East for Friday Fives this week to link up with Top Chef alum and Surf Lodge Executive Chef Sam Talbot. It’s perfect timing too, as we’re shooting an Infatuation TV episode in Montauk this weekend with Sam and singer/songwriter/pro surfer Donavon Frankenreiter. When the summer is over, Sam will be moving back into NYC to open the Mondrian in Soho, and he’s also currently working on his first book. To keep up with all the Sam Talbot happenings, follow him on twitter and check out his snazzy website. Nice Kooks tune on there by the way, that’s a good jam.

Surf Lodge has single-handedly changed the Hamptons’ nightlife game. It used to be that if you wanted to seriously get after it on the East End, you were either battling the lines and generally awful people at Pink Elephant (RIP, finally), or getting really dirty at The Point. Thanks to Surf Lodge and their awesome indoor/outdoor set up and no doorman policy, the only problems we run into here are huge crowds, bathroom lines and too many hot chicks. For those looking for night of potential Drunk Hook Ups, this is your spot. Speaking of Drunk Hook Ups, our boy Sam here is the first Friday Fives participant to have the balls to select that category from the “Perfect For” list. Nicely done.

Sam’s “Perfect For” Picks

BYOB

Duryea’s (65 Tuthill Rd. – Montauk, NY 11954) – “The East End’s best view, hands down. On a clear day you can see forever. Enjoy great oysters, steamed lobsters etc, all while sipping back on some premium Budweisers from your own fridge.”

Date Night

Village Yokocho/Angel’s Share (8 Stuyvesant Street) – “Man, I hate giving stuff like this up because then everybody borrows some mojo from me. This Japanese restaurant is connected to the cocktail bar Angel’s Share in the back room. It’s very quirky and there’s so much going on. If it’s a first date and the conversation takes a turn for the worse, the room alone can speed things back up. After dinner, hope for the corner table by the window in Angel Share. Insane cocktails by super slick Japanese bartenders.”

Dining Solo

Tortilla Flats (767 Washington St.) – “That’s easy – Tortilla Flats. Everybody is so twisted on endless tequila shots you have like six new friends in 12 minutes.”

Drunk Hook Ups

“Please refer to Dining Solo section.”

Quality Fish

Kanoyama (175 2nd Ave.) – “Spectacular sushi and seafood. Out of this world, fresh and sexy.”

Bonus Round

Fine Dining

Le Bernardin (155 West 51st St.) – “Eric, Michael and the rest of their team are the best around. It shouldn’t even be a question. “

Serious Take-Out Operation

Republic (37 Union Square West) – “Out East, I crave noodles all the time. Republic is the best for a quick noodle fix. There’s no fuss, they just get it done. “

Sam’s Twitter People

@stephencolbert – Because he is awesome.

@shitmydadsays – It makes me happy.

@kellyslater – Good surf links.

@thankgodisurf – Dave is my close friend and he can be hilarious sometimes…just sometimes – sorry Davey boy!

@sarahksilverman – She’s dirty, sexy and funny all rolled into one.

Photo Credit: Marc Anthony