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Frankie’s Fabulous Italiano Brings Authentic Italian Comfort Food To East Hampton
Let’s cut to the chase: The Hamptons restaurant scene has a winner in Frankie’s Fabulous Italiano, which opened in August, replacing Uncle Charlie’s on Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton.
We confess: We were reluctant to try it and get attached, since the location has flipped through so many restaurants and clubs over the years. But this visit won us over, and we really hope Frankie’s stays. There aren’t too many places Out East where you can get this quality and quantity of food while also being treated with attention and warmth. It could become your new home away from home.
Tucked alongside the nightclub Drai’s in East Hampton, Frankie’s is serving the kind of Italian cooking people actually crave: chicken Parmesan (one of its specialties), a variety of freshly made pastas, crisp salads, and Roman-style pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven that serves as the room’s centerpiece.
The energy here is remarkably relaxed and unpretentious. The feeling is chic yet comfortable, with a large skylight and a long bar. And the best part? The kitchen is open six days a week with late-night hours on weekends for both eat-in and takeout. The restaurant also plans to stay open through the winter. Recent specials have included half-priced pasta on Monday nights and half-priced pizza on Saturday, Sept. 20, after 9 p.m., with a DJ. We hope that continues.
The menu reads like a greatest-hits list of comfort food and seasonality: Frankie’s Special Antipasto Salad, truffle-topped artisanal pies, and locally made gelato for dessert. Pastas range from $22 to $26. Mains include chicken Parmesan, grilled salmon, grilled chicken paillard, mussels in red or white sauce, pan-seared tuna, and veal cutlet Milanese.
A tightly curated wine list keeps things fresh and unfussy — crisp whites, bright rosés, and reds that play well with pizza.
Our party tried a variety of dishes: the chicken Parm, the ricotta gnocchi, a Margherita pizza, the Caesar salad, the arugula salad, and Frankie’s homemade brownie (dark chocolate, coconut gelato, and Sicilian pistachio drizzle). We didn’t try the appetizers, but they looked tempting: calamari, rice balls, meatballs, fried zucchini chips, and tuna tartare.
See below for our Spark team reviews. We’ll definitely be back.
Angela: I am not a big pasta or cheese person (seriously!), but one taste of the highly recommended ricotta gnocchi in vodka sauce with burrata on top and I was hooked. So delicious — my favorite part of the meal.
We ordered the chicken Parm because it’s one of the house specialties. The chicken was tasty and moist, the portion huge. The crust was a tad over-fried — I prefer it more golden brown — but that didn’t stop me from finishing it. The cheese topping is decadently delicious (I’ll pay for that one).
The big surprise for me was just how tasty the salads were. If I had a dollar for every disappointing, flat, boring, overpriced Caesar salad in the Hamptons, I could retire. But this Caesar was so good, I haven’t stopped thinking about it. (I know, get a hobby. But c’mon, food is love.) It was fresh and crisp, with perfect dressing. As a salad lover, it hit the spot — and balanced out all the cheese on the chicken Parm.
The arugula salad was also flavorful, delicate, and substantial enough to stand on its own.
We had to try a pizza, of course, with that large wood oven staring at us. The Margherita ($30) was quite good: thin in the center with a poofy, delicious crust around the edge. Other pizza options include a four-cheese white pie, a Diavola or “Devil’s Pizza,” and the $125 Fabulosa, which serves six to nine adults and measures one meter long — definitely Instagram-worthy.
When I go back, I want to try the Farfalle Gamberetto (shrimp, broccoli rabe, vodka sauce, shaved Parmigiano) and the pan-seared tuna (with Frankie’s homemade pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes).
Our waitress was warm and helpful with suggestions. We never felt rushed, even though we yapped so much and lingered.
Can’t wait to go back with more friends.
Our lovely waitress.
Negroni.
Caesar Salad.Ty: Dining at Frankie’s in East Hampton was truly delightful from start to finish. Each course was a small revelation, presenting both flavor and skill. Our waitress was beautiful, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu.
I started with a Negroni, my go-to cocktail, which Frankie’s made perfectly. It balanced gin, Campari, and vermouth over ice. The drink set the tone for the evening: classic, refined, and just bold enough.
Like my colleague Angela, I was impressed by the gnocchi. They were pillowy and tender, coated in a silky vodka sauce. The dish featured a thoughtful arrangement of flavors, including Parmesan, burrata, ricotta, fresh basil, and sun-dried tomatoes. It was indulgent yet balanced, reflecting classic Italian comfort with a modern twist.
The Caesar salad was impressive on its own. I’m picky about Caesar salads, and Frankie’s version won me over with crisp romaine, a creamy dressing that wasn’t too strong, and house-made croutons that were gently seasoned and flavorful. These subtle touches made a regular dish feel special.
For a main course, we chose the Margherita pizza. The crust was thin, baked to perfection with a deep, satisfying flavor. With fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and aromatic basil on top, it had the ideal mix of chewiness, char, and freshness that defines great pizza.
Then came dessert. After such a generous meal, I felt hesitant but couldn’t resist. The Homemade Brownie was the highlight: crisp on the outside and molten inside, paired with coconut gelato and drizzled with Sicilian pistachio. It was rich, textural, and deeply satisfying—a dessert that made me glad I saved room.
Frankie’s doesn’t just offer a meal; it provides an experience centered on quality ingredients, careful preparation, and real flavor. Paired with a well-made Negroni, the evening felt indulgent yet easy—a reminder of why dining in the Hamptons is so special.
Frankie’s Fabulous Italiano
Open six days a week except Wednesdays. 5:00 pm – 10 pm
Friday and Satuyrday 5 pm – 2:am
44 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton, NY
(631) 604-8181
frankiesfabulous.com