“This is a follow up to our 2023 review of R., Aire at the Hampton Maid in Hampton Bays. As superb as R. Aire was during the past eighteen months, recent visits underscore that the restaurant continues to reach new culinary heights under Chef and Owner Alex Bujoreanu. In a landscape of high priced and often mediocre restaurants on the East End, R. Aire is a unique venue - a chef driven restaurant which offers sophisticated cuisine inspired by the classics of Spain - in an elegant, serene setting - and at moderate prices.Although we have previously taken note of R. Aire’s outstanding signature paellas, the “non rice” sections of the menu offer a range of equally delicious dishes - all made with the finest (and often local) ingredients and reflecting the chef’s masterful synthesis of both classical and modern influences.For example, Chef Bujoreanu offers an amazing Fideua - a short grain pasta dish cooked in the method of paella (in a paella pan) in a richly flavored sofrito. R. Aire’s Fideua is a textural wonder, served two ways - as a seafood and squid ink classic or a rustic wild mushroom and duck version. Fideua is rarely offered in the U.S. - these renditions are authentic and superb.R. Aire’s appetizers and small plate “pinchos”offer an array of delectable choices, from flavorful morsels of grilled lamb (Morunos), aromatic grilled Shishito peppers, succulent octopus, airy meatballs and a lovely heirloom beet salad. One could construct a deeply satisfying dinner from these perfectly composed small plates.In addition to the Fideua and traditional paellas for which R. Aire is known - the paellas have a perfect “socarrat” base and are cooked to order and served in individual paella pans - the non rice dishes are equally impressive. Memorable main courses include pristine local sea scallops, breast of duck, Iberico pork and a filet mignon of Wagyu beef. This is cooking at a very high level.The service at R. Aire is warm and inviting. The restaurant’s gracious manager, Grigore, provides an attentive hands on presence in the dining room; he is clearly focused on delivering the service and hospitality which has been the restaurant’s credo since it opened.It should be noted the restaurant’s wine list has continued to evolve, offering a range of wines from Spain and the U.S. and other wine regions from excellent producers - and at fair prices.In a world of formulaic restaurants and homogeneous food, R. Aire stands out for its warmth, value and brilliant cooking. Bravo to Chef Bujoreanu and his team for creating a special venue in Hampton Bays.“
“This is a follow up to our 2023 review of R., Aire at the Hampton Maid in Hampton Bays. As superb as R. Aire was during the past eighteen months, recent visits underscore that the restaurant continues to reach new culinary heights under Chef and Owner Alex Bujoreanu. In a landscape of high priced and often mediocre restaurants on the East End, R. Aire is a unique venue - a chef driven restaurant which offers sophisticated cuisine inspired by the classics of Spain - in an elegant, serene setting - and at moderate prices.Although we have previously taken note of R. Aire’s outstanding signature paellas, the “non rice” sections of the menu offer a range of equally delicious dishes - all made with the finest (and often local) ingredients and reflecting the chef’s masterful synthesis of both classical and modern influences.For example, Chef Bujoreanu offers an amazing Fideua - a short grain pasta dish cooked in the method of paella (in a paella pan) in a richly flavored sofrito. R. Aire’s Fideua is a textural wonder, served two ways - as a seafood and squid ink classic or a rustic wild mushroom and duck version. Fideua is rarely offered in the U.S. - these renditions are authentic and superb.R. Aire’s appetizers and small plate “pinchos”offer an array of delectable choices, from flavorful morsels of grilled lamb (Morunos), aromatic grilled Shishito peppers, succulent octopus, airy meatballs and a lovely heirloom beet salad. One could construct a deeply satisfying dinner from these perfectly composed small plates.In addition to the Fideua and traditional paellas for which R. Aire is known - the paellas have a perfect “socarrat” base and are cooked to order and served in individual paella pans - the non rice dishes are equally impressive. Memorable main courses include pristine local sea scallops, breast of duck, Iberico pork and a filet mignon of Wagyu beef. This is cooking at a very high level.The service at R. Aire is warm and inviting. The restaurant’s gracious manager, Grigore, provides an attentive hands on presence in the dining room; he is clearly focused on delivering the service and hospitality which has been the restaurant’s credo since it opened.It should be noted the restaurant’s wine list has continued to evolve, offering a range of wines from Spain and the U.S. and other wine regions from excellent producers - and at fair prices.In a world of formulaic restaurants and homogeneous food, R. Aire stands out for its warmth, value and brilliant cooking. Bravo to Chef Bujoreanu and his team for creating a special venue in Hampton Bays.“