The Hamptons’ Best-Kept Secret Restaurant
When Gianpaolo de Felice moved from Naples to the Hamptons, he discovered something unexpected: he couldn’t find his mother’s cooking anywhere on the East End. The pizzas were wrong. The pasta lacked soul. The experience felt imported rather than authentic. So he did what any homesick Italian would do—he convinced his wife to open a restaurant. That wife happened to be Gabby Karan de Felice, daughter of fashion icon Donna Karan. What emerged from that longing became Tutto Il Giorno, and it transformed how the Hamptons experience Italian cuisine.
The restaurant opened in Sag Harbor in 2008, a collaboration between Gabby, Gianpaolo, and their close friends David and Gally Mayer. The name translates to “all day long,” capturing the Italian philosophy of leisurely dining that extends from lunch through aperitivo into dinner. Nearly two decades later, the concept has expanded to Southampton, Tribeca, and soon Palm Beach. Yet the Sag Harbor location retains something the others cannot replicate—the original spark that started everything, housed in a space that seamlessly blends fine dining with Donna Karan’s Urban Zen lifestyle store.
Where Fashion Royalty Meets Southern Italian Soul
The integration of restaurant and retail creates an experience unlike anything else in the Hamptons. You enter through Urban Zen, surrounded by artisanal pieces from Bali, Vietnam, Haiti, Morocco, and beyond. The aromatic essential oils transport you before you’ve even seen a menu. Then you emerge into the dining space, where the aesthetic continues—communal tables designed by Donna Karan, banquette couches with pillows, and decorative elements sourced from global artisans.
“I wanted to create a space that was an experience,” Gabby explains. “Whether it was huge communal tables that my mother designed and banquette couches with pillows… or pareos that we found in Bali or jewelry from a local artisan, it was an experience and it was a place that we could call home.” This philosophy permeates every detail, transforming dinner into something closer to visiting a sophisticated friend’s house than patronizing a restaurant.
The Nonna Carolina Foundation
Authenticity at Tutto Il Giorno isn’t marketing language—it’s genealogy. The menus draw directly from recipes perfected by Gianpaolo’s mother, Nonna Carolina, who spent the restaurant’s first season in the kitchen ensuring every dish met her standards. The penne with eggplant, the whole fish preparations, the broccoli rabe dishes that became Donna Karan’s favorites—all trace back to a Neapolitan kitchen and the woman who ran it.
This connection to actual family tradition distinguishes Tutto from competitors claiming Italian authenticity. The de Felices didn’t hire consultants to develop a concept; they translated lived experience into a business. Chef Agostino Petrosino now executes the culinary vision, but the foundation remains Nonna Carolina’s recipes adapted for Hamptons palates without sacrificing integrity.
The Menu That Channels Naples to Sag Harbor
Southern Italian cuisine emphasizes lightness, freshness, and quality ingredients over complexity. Tutto Il Giorno embodies this philosophy completely. “Our most popular items are the simplest ones,” Gabby notes. “I like to say our best ingredients are tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, sea salt.” This restraint requires confidence—trusting that perfect execution of fundamentals surpasses elaborate construction.
The burrata arrives as a revelation. San Marzano tomatoes, smoked Provola, and the freshest mozzarella combine in the Parmigiana appetizer. Spicy tuna tartare with marinated cucumber and avocado demonstrates range without abandoning Italian sensibility. The seafood tower showcases the kitchen’s sourcing relationships with local purveyors.
Pasta Worth Planning Around
The restaurant sources slow-dried artisanal pasta from Gragnano near Sorrento, a region famous for producing Italy’s finest dried pasta since the 16th century. This commitment to provenance transforms familiar dishes into something extraordinary. The Paccheri with classic Neapolitan beef ragĂą, provolone, and herbs delivers comfort elevated by ingredient quality. Tortellacci Caprese style—mozzarella, shrimp, shishito peppers, fresh tomato—proves that innovation and tradition can coexist.
The rigatoni with tomato, veal, beef, spicy sausage, peas, and a touch of cream has achieved signature status. Regulars order nothing else. The spaghetti with scarpariello sauce, corbara cherry tomatoes, pecorino, and Parmigiano demonstrates how simple preparations achieve complexity through sourcing rather than technique. Daily risotto preparations showcase the kitchen’s versatility while respecting Carnaroli rice’s requirements.
Understanding the Italian Restaurant Evolution
The global Italian restaurant market reached $61.3 billion in 2024, according to industry research, with projected growth to $101.1 billion by 2033. This expansion reflects universal appreciation for Italian cuisine’s combination of accessibility and sophistication. Tutto Il Giorno positioned itself perfectly within this trajectory—authentic enough for purists, approachable enough for casual diners.
Research from Italian Food News identifies growing consumer interest in regional Italian specialties over generic “Italian” offerings. Tutto’s explicit Southern Italian identity—Neapolitan recipes, Sorrento pasta, Amalfi Coast inspiration—aligns precisely with this preference for specificity over generalization. Diners increasingly want to know not just that food is Italian, but which Italy it represents.
The Mediterranean Diet Connection
The Mediterranean diet maintains prominence among health-conscious consumers seeking both flavor and nutrition. Tutto Il Giorno’s emphasis on olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood, and moderate portions aligns naturally with these preferences. The menu doesn’t require modification to accommodate wellness-minded diners—it was designed that way from the beginning, reflecting how Italians actually eat rather than American interpretations of Italian food.
According to Datassential research, gluten-free and plant-based options are trending on Italian menus, responding to dietary needs while maintaining authenticity. Tutto offers gluten-free preparations and vegetable-forward dishes that satisfy these requirements without feeling like afterthoughts or compromises.
The Design Philosophy That Defines the Experience
Gabby Karan de Felice’s background—daughter of a fashion designer, married to an Italian, trained in creating experiences rather than just spaces—shapes every visual element. “Growing up with my mother, who’s a fashion designer, and a father who was an artist and marrying into an Italian family,” she explains, “I wanted to create a space that was an experience.” The restaurant doesn’t look like other Italian restaurants because it wasn’t designed by restaurant designers.
The nautical theme acknowledges Sag Harbor’s maritime heritage while the elegant appointments signal sophistication. Outdoor dining captures the European sensibility that inspired the concept—lazy days of boating to Ischia and Capri translated to Long Island’s East End. The indoor-outdoor flow mirrors the layout of Donna Karan’s Manhattan space, creating continuity between city and shore.
Urban Zen Integration
The combined Urban Zen and Tutto Il Giorno space represents something genuinely novel in hospitality. “It is a space where people come together. For me, it is about life, not just about clothes,” says Donna Karan. The integration allows guests to shop artisanal pieces before dinner, browse during aperitivo, or simply absorb the aesthetic while dining. The lifestyle store isn’t adjacent to the restaurant—it’s woven into the same experience.
Self-Care Saturdays bring the Urban Zen Foundation’s wellness philosophy to Sag Harbor through talks, conversations, and morning meditation sessions. This programming extends the restaurant’s purpose beyond dining into community building. “More importantly than ever, the community is what counts,” Karan explains. “I think what Gabby and I show together is a family in a community.”
Community Roots Run Deeper Than Business
The de Felices live in the Hamptons year-round. Their children attended local schools. Their friendships developed organically through community involvement rather than networking events. This permanence distinguishes Tutto Il Giorno from seasonal operations that arrive in May and disappear after Labor Day. “That’s why the shoulder seasons are so important to us—it’s our lifestyle first and foremost,” Gabby emphasizes.
Community engagement extends to organizations including the Sag Harbor Cinema restoration, local food pantries, and wellness retreats. “I think my mom has taught me how to embrace all the local organizations, because those are the people who are out in these communities year-round,” Gabby notes. “And when you become a year-round business, you are sustainable because it’s not a moment. It’s not seasonal.”
The Celebrity Factor
Sarah Jessica Parker, Keith Richards, Christie Brinkley, Katie Couric, Julianna Margulies—the boldface names who’ve dined at Tutto Il Giorno could fill a magazine masthead. Yet the restaurant doesn’t chase celebrity; it attracts discerning diners who happen to include famous people. The appeal lies in authentic experience rather than scene-making. When Christie Brinkley attends a private dinner celebrating Italian winemaker Alessia Antinori, she’s there for the wine and company, not the paparazzi.
This distinction matters. Tutto cultivates an environment where notable guests can relax rather than perform. The fashion industry connections—inevitable given Donna Karan’s involvement—bring creative communities who appreciate aesthetic excellence. The result is a clientele that enhances rather than overwhelms the dining experience.
Expansion Without Dilution
The Southampton location offers a larger, livelier atmosphere with an expansive garden. Tribeca brings the concept to Manhattan’s art and fashion tribes. The upcoming Tutto Mare in Palm Beach promises Mediterranean-style waterfront dining at the Royal Poinciana Plaza. Each location maintains the core identity while adapting to local context.
“You need to be true to yourself,” Gabby explains regarding the brand’s growth strategy. “Our menus were inspired by recipes from Gianpaolo’s mother, Nonna Carolina, who spent the restaurant’s first season in the kitchen perfecting recipes. While our culinary identity is purely of southern Italian heritage, the restaurant design was shaped by the Karan side of the family.” This balance—consistent culinary philosophy with location-specific design—enables expansion without the homogenization that plagues franchise concepts.
Tutto Caffé and Beyond
The 2023 opening of Tutto CaffĂ© in East Hampton reflects the family’s passion for Italian coffee culture. The specialty coffee program inspired a standalone concept serving the Hampton Classic and preparing for additional locations in 2026. This diversification demonstrates confidence in the brand’s appeal beyond traditional dining occasions.
“We are passionate about our specialty coffee program,” Gabby shares. The expansion into cafĂ© format extends the Tutto philosophy into morning and afternoon occasions, capturing guests who might not schedule formal dinners but crave authentic Italian coffee experiences. It’s a logical evolution for a brand built on the “all day long” premise embedded in its name.
Practical Considerations for First-Time Visitors
Tutto Il Giorno Sag Harbor occupies 16 Main Street, perfectly positioned at the town’s gateway with views overlooking the bay. Dinner service runs Tuesday through Sunday from 5 PM; lunch operates Friday through Sunday from noon to 3 PM. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly during summer weekends when competition for tables intensifies.
Street parking is available in front, with additional options at Urban Zen Parking off Long Island Avenue. The dress code skews smart casual—elegant enough to honor the setting without requiring formality. The space accommodates various group sizes, from intimate couples to larger parties seeking the communal table experience.
What to Order
First-timers should embrace the simplicity philosophy. The burrata and parmigiana appetizers establish the kitchen’s commitment to quality ingredients. Any pasta from the Gragnano selection demonstrates proper Italian technique. The branzino acqua pazza—”crazy water fish”—represents classic Neapolitan preparation worth experiencing. The cioppino, a Mediterranean fish stew, showcases seafood sourcing relationships.
The wine list emphasizes Italian selections that complement the cuisine’s regional specificity. Aperitivo hour—the Tutto “Cestino” concept with special cocktails and light bites—offers an excellent introduction for those hesitant to commit to full dinner service. Classic Italian custard topped with organic berries provides proper conclusion.
Why Tutto Il Giorno Matters to Hamptons Dining
Italian restaurants proliferate across the Hamptons. Few deliver genuine authenticity backed by actual Italian family heritage. Fewer still integrate dining with lifestyle retail in ways that enhance rather than distract from the food. Tutto Il Giorno achieves both, creating an experience that transcends typical restaurant categories.
The combination of Karan design sensibility, de Felice culinary heritage, and genuine community investment produces something irreducible to its components. You cannot separate the beautiful space from the food it serves, or the food from the family story that produced it, or that story from the community relationships that sustain the business year-round. Everything connects. That integration defines the best-kept secret that’s been hiding at the gateway to Sag Harbor for nearly two decades.
Connect With Social Life Magazine
Feature Article Ideas / Advertising / Brand Partnership Inquiries
→ Contact Social Life Magazine
Polo Hamptons Tickets, Cabanas & Brand Sponsorships
→ Polo Hamptons
Join Our Email List
→ Subscribe Here
Social Life Magazine Print Subscription
→ Get Your Subscription
Support Our Work – Donate $5
→ Donate via PayPal
Related Articles
→ Hamptons Winter Events 2025-2026: Your Ultimate Sag Harbor Off-Season Calendar Guide
