Its war in the Hamptons as Montauk locals rally against Cali hotelier over Surf Lodge rival
A California hotelier is riding a wave of backlash in Montauk.Locals are petitioning the East Hampton Town Planning Board to stop construction of Este, a two-story restaurant with rooftop access, claiming developers pulled a bait-and-switch — submitting permit approvals for a “casual restaurant” they fear will turn into a rowdy nightclub.“Este restaurant was approved as a 39-seat cafe with 12 parking spaces.The rooftop venue has banquet tables, fire pits and lounge seating … that’s not how a restaurant works,” Laura Michaels commented in the Montauk Village Facebook group.But owner Marley Dominguez, who also runs the luxury seaside hotel Offshore Montauk just 50 feet away, exclusively told The Post the controversy has been stoked by rivals fearful that Este, slated to open next summer, will encroach on business.“It was not until a competitor received this information that the false rumors started,” he saidThe planning board approved Este as a 39-seat, two-story restaurant on Montauk Highway last November.However, a liquor license application, building permit application and private investor packet, all leaked to The East Hampton Press in April, suggest the space is intended for a larger crowd — sparking the petition distributed by anonymous locals on May 28.“How can a venue claim a 450-person public assembly with only 39 seats and 12 parking spaces approved? This doesn’t add up,” the petition asks.
“Is this a restaurant or a nightclub? … we think the latter.Was the Planning Board duped?”The petition continues: “Twelve parking spaces cannot serve 450 persons.
Twelve parking spaces cannot serve a rooftop event venue.Twelve parking spaces cannot support a multi-floor nightlife complex generating $7 million in annual food and beverage revenue.”But Dominguez told The Post: “Like every restaurant throughout Montauk, New York and the US, occupancy and formal seats are two different numbers that are not related.
Restaurant seat coun...