From unique farm-to-table eateries to the best deep-sea fishing locales, the head of Douglas Elliman’s De Niro Team shows us his East Coast summer favorites.
Leader of Douglas Elliman’s De Niro Team, Raphael De Niro knows the ins and outs of a Hamptons summer.
When temperatures rise, Manhattanites flock to the lavish estates and exquisite beaches of the Hamptons. Perhaps no one embodies this luxurious East Coast migration quite like Raphael De Niro. As the leader of Douglas Elliman’s De Niro Team and a prominent Hamptons figurehead, this New York City real estate expert knows the ins and outs of this coveted oasis. Join us as we delve into the world of Raphael De Niro and discover how to spend a Hamptons summer in style–just like this influential tastemaker.
The Scenery
The predominant reason summer in the Hamptons is unlike any other? According to De Niro, it’s the physical characteristics and variety of scenery that make it feel like a true escape. “I like that you have the beach and oceanfront, as well as woodlands and farmlands, all in the same local geography,” he says.
De Niro’s favorite neighborhoods—Montauk, Amagansett, East Hampton and Sag Harbor—are the ones that showcase the natural beauty of the Hamptons the most. “Those are the four areas that make me feel like I'm furthest away from normal, everyday city life,” he says. “I think it’s because they're somewhat less developed, so they have more of a bucolic feel versus other areas that are a little more dense.”
De Niro’s favorite neighborhoods are the ones that showcase the natural beauty of the Hamptons.
The Hot Spots
As for soaking up this East Coast scenery, De Niro notes that his goal for the season is to be in the car as little as possible, so his family spends most days outside doing a plethora of summer activities. For one of his favorites, deep-sea fishing, he recommends heading about 60 to 100 miles off Montauk’s shore to a place called The Canyon.
To enjoy a peaceful beach day with the kids, De Niro prefers Hither Hills. “It's not as crowded as a lot of the other public beaches in the Hamptons,” he says. “The area around Hither Hills is somewhat underdeveloped because it’s a state park, so it doesn't feel like you're in a public beach as much as some other spots.”
For a low-key beach day, De Niro recommends Hither Hills.
The Hidden Gems
De Niro’s summer days are fueled by a selection of charming Hampton’s eateries. Before heading to the beach or pool, he likes to start his day with an iced cappuccino or latte from his new favorite coffee spot—Left Hand Coffee in Montauk. For a date night, De Niro and his wife recommend Nick and Toni’s in East Hampton, and if they’re taking the kids for a bite, they love The Crow’s Nest in Montauk. “It's a restaurant and small bed-and-breakfast that’s mostly outside overlooking a harbor in Montauk,” he says. “It’s the best place for kids in terms of the food and them being able to leave the table and run around.”
One of the most unique restaurants De Niro likes to visit is Multi Aquaculture Systems, an aquatic fish farm nestled between Montauk and Amagansett. “They have a fish and shellfish nursery and fresh produce, and they make farm-to-table dishes,” he says.
The Home Hunting
Compared to owning a condo or townhouse in the city, Hamptons real estate requires maintaining more interior space and land, and being entirely responsible for it all—there are no shared walls or common spaces for someone else to worry about. That's hard enough when you live somewhere full-time, but it can be even more difficult when you’re only there part of the year. De Niro notes that it’s important to find a team of local experts to help maintain the house and outdoor space. “It’s crucial to do a really thorough inspection and make sure that there are no unforeseen major issues,” De Niro says.
While the De Niro team works primarily with properties in the city, they are dedicated to helping their clients protect their investments out East. With a plethora of market knowledge and connections with Hamptons brokers, the team can direct clients to the right specialists and experts to keep their summer homes in top shape.
When looking for a home in the Hamptons, De Niro notes that it’s important to consider year-round maintenance.
As for shopping for a new Manhattan home come fall, De Niro notes that the biggest obstacle is a lack of overall inventory, so buyers will need to be strategic with their search. “There’s an off-market phenomenon that's taken hold in New York post-COVID,” he says. “A lot of sales and listings don't ever make it officially to market, so it's really important to have an agent who's experienced, has good relationships with other brokers and will be in a position to know about apartments that aren’t officially listed.”
With nearly 150 years of combined experience and deep market knowledge, the De Niro Team is especially tuned in to New York real estate. One of their current New Development projects in Tribeca, 108 Leonard Street, perfectly embodies Raphael and his team’s core values: refined taste and sophisticated design, a deep respect for NYC’s rich history, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and thoughtful details that elevate their clients' lifestyles. The building celebrates historic city architecture while showcasing modern design and conveniences within its residences, available in a diverse mix of sizes and price points. And of course there’s an incredible hotel-inspired amenities package to enhance each resident’s lifestyle.
Looking ahead, the De Niro Team is continuing to grow its presence in Brooklyn as demand rises among its clientele, and even recently established its first Brooklyn satellite office in Williamsburg. Aside from his brokerage, Raphael is developing Wildflower Studios, an innovative film studio in one of his favorite NYC neighborhoods—Astoria. The last weeks of summer in the Hamptons awaits!
Learn more about the De Niro Team.
Photo Credit: Hannah De Niro
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