NYC's Union Square group partners with Canoe Place in Hampton Bays

Canoe Place, the historic Hampton Bays resort that was restored in 2022, is partnering with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events for its food and beverage programs, from its marquis restaurant, Good Ground Tavern, to room service, catering and events.

For much of the 20th century, Canoe Place was a chic celebrity-magnet destination whose guests included Cary Grant, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; Duke Ellington, Led Zeppelin and The Ramones played its stage. It fell into disuse at least 30 years ago. The refurbished property comprises luxury rooms and suites, cottages and even canal-side townhouses with summer rates starting around $725. The restaurant, Good Ground Tavern, sprawls across two dining rooms — one, soothing and sleek, one rustic and cozy — as well as one of Long Island’s loveliest patios.

"Good Ground already focuses on local produce and fish," said Union Square Events spokeswoman Camila Loboguerrero. "We are going to do even more." The restaurant's fall menu will be the first to fully reflect the new partnership.

Meyer’s global hospitality empire got its start in 1985 when he founded Manhattan’s Union Square Cafe, a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement. He went on to open Gramercy Tavern, Eleven Madison Park, Maialino, The Modern and many other New York City restaurants. In 2005, he opened a burger-and-shake outpost, Shake Shack, that has grown into a global brand with nearly 500 locations.

In 2006 Meyer launched Union Square Events, which does catering, consulting and hospitality management for workplaces and sports venues such as Citi Field in Queens and cultural institutions such as the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Canoe Place is the first hotel property that it will manage.