Popular Manhattan seafood restaurant Ed’s Lobster Bar is opening a second location in Sag Harbor. The Long Island outpost, dubbed Ed’s Lobster Bar East, is slated to open Memorial Day weekend, specializing in lobster rolls, fish plates and raw bar bites.
Seventy-five percent of the menu will be identical to the flagship restaurant in SoHo. That is good news for seafood connoisseurs — Time Out New York ranked Ed’s among the best seafood restaurants in the city while Buzzfeed called Ed’s signature dish one of “The Best Damn Lobster Rolls in New York City.” In addition to the staples like classic lobster rolls, lobster meatballs and New England clam chowder, Ed’s Lobster Bar East will have new menu items such as fish sandwiches, lobster pizza and baskets of fried scallops and shrimps.
“People can look for other surprises that they might not expect to see in the city,” said owner and chef Edward McFarland, noting that the East End menu was not finalized yet. “I plan on splitting my time between both restaurants. It is a special community and being closer to the beach is really fitting for the lobster bar.”
The International Culinary Institute graduate opened Ed’s Lobster Bar in 2007 with aspirations to open a second location closer to the water.
“This is a dream 12 years in the making,” McFarland said. “A lot of customers and friends have been telling me over the years to come out east. I took a ride out in late January, and I was driving past the Bay Burger spot. I sort of stopped short and made a U-turn. I knew that was the space I had to have.”
The 1,400-square-foot space is undergoing a New England Coastal-inspired redesign, adding chrome fixtures and pendent lighting ahead of its opening. The 80-seat restaurant will resemble a traditional seaside fish house, featuring an open kitchen and indoor/outdoor dining.
“I loved the appeal of being able offer outdoor seating to my guests,” McFarland said. “The restaurant was essentially turn-key. The idea is to make it look as close to possible as the one in New York City.”
McFarland does plan to keep a couple of beloved Bay Burger traditions intact, such as the weekly live music. Joe and Liza’s Ice Cream will also be available.
Ed’s Lobster Bar East plans to offer specialty cocktails, a full catering menu as well as a to-go menu for pickup and delivery. The restaurant will be open seven days per week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend with limited hours during the off-season. It will also serve a breakfast and brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays.
Ed’s Lobster Bar East is located at 1742 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor.
