The holiday weekend is upon us and that means the unofficial start of everything Summer, including travel. If you can’t swing a proper getaway this three day break, why not a daycation to Goat Island?

You might even spy some actual goats (For the record, Gurney’s not only revamped and elevated what in its previous life was a Hyatt Regency, they’ve gone so far as bringing back the goats - two named Cornelius and William, after titans of the famous Vanderbilt fam and owners of summer cottages The Breakers and Marble House, to be exact.), but what you’ll really want to do is go for lunch or dinner at Scarpetta, the all-the-rage Italian restaurant at the resort. Their other location in Montauk at the Gurney’s there is pretty much THE place to see and be seen in that neck of the woods this time of year.

Spoiler alert: it's freakin' fabulous. (Ok, I co-opted that last part from the title of a style book by Clinton Kelly. Remember him from TLC's What Not To Wear? This was pre The Chew on ABC, and also featured style guru Stacey London. Never missed an episode!) Yessss, you'll want to find a reason to go (dinner, drinks, or add in a full on staycation night or two at the resort even) and get the t-shirt (seriously...the ones in the lobby gift shop are top shelf and I want one of each in my wardrobe).

Whatever the season (been there during the winter for meals too btw), our dinners at Scarpetta have been superb - from the bread basket (reminiscent of how Gracie's in Providence does it, with multiple mouth watering options, one tastier than the next...and who among us doesn't adore CARBS?) to the mains (fresh, tasty, and exquisitely presented) and last but certainly not least, the coffee which tbh, my friend S continues to rave about every single time I've seen her since we first sampled it.

Eats aside for a second, there are also Insta Worthy (Search Instagram and you’ll find so many great snaps!) views of the water and boats, sunsets, and the Pell Bridge from the outside deck seating. So add it to your beginning-of-summer-to-do list because it is al fresco dining in the OS at its finest.

Photo Credits: Photos of Goat Island lighthouse and Newport Bridge used with licensing and permission of Getty Images

*This post has been updated and revised from one that appeared on the site during the Summer of 2018.