Breakfast That Feels Like Home 🍳🌶️

If I’m not having breakfast at K Pasa in Sag Harbor, there’s only one other place I go – Estia’s Little Kitchen.

I’ve been going there since I was 12 years old, long before I was in the restaurant business, long before I even thought about what it meant to run a place that people kept coming back to.

Estia’s is part of my history. I’ve known the family forever. Miguel, our head chef at K Pasa, is part of that family. They celebrate their birthdays at my restaurants; I celebrate mine at theirs. That’s how it is out here.

That Tuck You in Bed Feeling

There’s something about Estia’s food that just feels right. It’s cozy, humbling, comforting in a way that goes beyond the dishes. Colin, the owner, has built something special. His team has been with him for decades, and they get it.

When I walk in with my wife and sit down, within five seconds they’re walking over with our two coffees and our orange juice. It’s that kind of place.

What to Order

My wife never strays from the Gringo Hash – eggs, queso fresco, tortillas, black beans, chorizo, brown rice. Every time, without fail.

I can eat anything on their menu, but the specials are always worth it, especially if it's with seafood. Last time, it was crab cakes over an English muffin with remoulade sauce and a side of eggs. Seafood is always done amazing here.

The Scoop

That’s because Colin knows fish. The restaurant walls are covered with striped bass lures, photos, even stuffed fish. He brings in artists whose work reflects the ocean, fishing, or something close to it. And when he’s not in the kitchen, he’s on a bike -- his cycling awards and trail maps are all over the place.

Inside Tip 🪄

Their red hot sauce is amazing. I swear they’ve put something addictive in it because I put it on everything. I’ve even had the thought: Is the food this good, or am I just obsessed with the hot sauce? But I’ve tested it. The food stands up.

And no, they don’t sell the hot sauce. I once walked away with a little tube and felt sheepish doing that!

Contact

🌐 Estia's

About Jesse

This card is by Jesse Matsuoka, a Hamptons resident of over 25 years. A sake sommelier and co-owner of Sen, a legendary Japenese restaurant in Sag Harbor. Born in Manhattan, grew up in Tokyo, Hawaii and Sag Harbor, and married to a third generation Montauker.

Lead-in Image

@estiaslittlekitchen / Instagram