(Long Island, N.Y.) Newly opened Copa Wine and Tapas Restaurant is the ultimate pit stop for elegant, sophisticated Spanish dining in the Hamptons. Owners Chris Boudourism, owner of McNamara’s Liquors and Cosmo Venneri, previous owner of sexy nightclubs in Manhattan decided to try Spanish cuisine and opened Copa Wine and Tapas restaurant in July 2009. Now a favorite among locals, the restaurant occupies two spacious comfortable dining rooms and a zinc-topped bar that seats 35 patrons. The wine list features over 50 wines by the glass and approximately 100 wines by the bottle including Spanish wines from the Riojas region.
The most pricey wine available to impress wine aficionados is the Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux 04 for a hefty cost of $550. The drink specials include Black and Blue Mojitas and don’t forget to drink it with the tapas! That is of course a Spanish favorite at Copa Wine and Tapas Restaurant. The restaurant is the perfect destination for a cold wintery night in the Hamptons when you want something substantial to eat.
Restaurant Publicist Jill Rowe sips cocktails with Cognac at Copa Wine and Tapas Restaurant in Bridgehampton.
The signature dishes include tapas, Pimentos de Padron a zesty plate of flash-fried thin peppers in a smooth sauce of a sweet red pepper, tomato and ground toasted almonds, Empanada de Copa which is a delicate pastry filled with Manchego cheese, artichoke and spinach mélange. Their signature entree is their seafood paella consisting of rice, chorizo, clams-Minnilla, mussels, lobster tail, scallops, mixed vegetables, Spanish paprika and garnished with lemons and limes. This unique paella dish is prepared in the paella pan with incredible flavors combined. Other good choices include chicken paillard salad and lamb chops. Copa’s cheese dishes are magnificent such as the Manchego (sheep’s milk) with truffle lavender honey served with slices of baguette and Granny Smith apple.
Their richly flavored rice is prepared al dente grains and simmers in a savory sauce. The flavors are rich, delicate and perfectly ethnic. Main course entrees can cost anywhere from $27 for their delicately prepared chicken breast to $40 for filet mignon. Paella for a romantic couple can cost approximately anywhere from $45 to $75 for the favorite seafood combination.
Seafood Paella at Copa Wine and Tapas Restaurant.
That evening I interviewed Jill Rowe who handles the public relations for the restaurant. “In Spain, tapas are appetizers, am I correct,”I inquisitively asked. “Absolutely, Copa Wine and Tapas is a restaurant in the Hamptons that has its own unique style of Tapas Spanish food and everything here is phenomenal with a unique taste,” Jill confessed. “A very unique taste and its a collaboration I would think of purely Spanish, are there any other influences incorporated into the dining experience here?” I inquired. “We definitely incorporate a little bit of American taste just so that everybody is a little more comfortable with the idea because Spanish Tapas can scare some people so we like to introduce anything that would bring in customers,” Jill revealed.
Desserts are wonderful as well. “For chocolate lovers our Fulant Lava Chocolate Cake is baked and inside it has nice warm chocolate. We have a homemade flan that is served with fresh strawberries and homemade whip cream,” Jill added.
Copa bartender Angelica introduced their new signature cocktail, the Black and Blue Mojita, an interesting new variation of the classic Mojita. “Today we are going to be making a Black and Blue Mojita, which is a spin-off of the traditional Mojito. This is our new signature cocktail to which we add fresh blackberries, blueberries, mint, lime juice, a slice of lime and then we fill the glass with Bacardi Spiced Rum. Fill a shaker with ice and pour the ingredients from the rocks glass into the shaker, seal it and shake vigorously and garnish it with a wedge of lime,” Angelica demonstrates.
Cognac poses for a photo-op with Owner Chris Boudourism.
Ingredients
- 3 oz. Bacardi Spiced Rum
- 1 Fresh Lime squeezed
- 1-2 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
- 2 teaspoons of fresh blackberries and blueberries
My favorite Spanish restaurant in the Hamptons is none other than the zesty,spicy Copa Wine and Tapas Restaurant conveniently located at 95 School Street in Bridgehampton, New York.
For more information please visit www.copawineandtapas.com
