The Restaurant at the Surf Lodge

Many viewers expected Season 2 finalist Sam Talbot to win the title of Top Chef (and by "viewers" we mean "women," who swooned for the hunky, talented, sensitive-ponytail-boy). Afterward, the fan favorite cut his hair and, in 2008, became executive chef of this cool-kid Montauk spot. Drawing on his beach-centric North Carolina childhood and his summery surroundings, Talbot—between ocean dips—serves up daily-caught seafood at simple picnic tables.

Don't Miss: Belly up to Talbot's new Food Truck, parked just outside the hotel's lobby, for out-of-this-world lobster rolls.