Williams & Hirakawa / USA Network
Mark Feuerstein practices high-maintenance medicine on his hit show, Royal Pains.
Hampton Hot Spots
Dr. Hank Lawson spends a lot of time in the Hamptons, and therefore, so does the man who plays him. Here are some of Mark Feuerstein’s favorite eateries in the area.
• Almond1 Ocean Road (at the corner of Main St.), Bridgehampton
(631) 537-8885
www.almondrestaurant.com“The freshest fish, delicious steak-frites, luscious French onion soup.”
• Scoop Du Jour37 Main St., East Hampton
(631) 329-4883
“The best doughnuts in Long Island and amazing ice cream.”
• Gosman’s RestaurantEnd of West Lake Drive, Montauk
(631) 668-5330
www.gosmans.com“Get there before the sun has set, and watch the fishing boats come in.”
• Nick & Toni’s136 N. Main St., East Hampton
(631) 324-3550
www.nickandtonis.com“The wait here is worth it. Everything is delish.”
As Hank Lawson, concierge doctor to the rich on USA’s
Royal Pains, Mark Feuerstein plays a smart, down-to-earth man about town. Judging from his real-life quick wit and his obvious appreciation for his family and good fortune, Feuerstein isn’t much different from his character. As
Royal Pains gets set to return next month for a third season, we caught up with Feuerstein, 39, about the show and the challenges of being bicoastal.
American Way: The show is a big hit. What resonates so much with viewers?Mark Feuerstein: People like to escape, and we’ve provided the most luxurious world to escape into. My character is the eyes into that world, but he’s not of that world. He’s a positive influence on it.
AW: Do you shoot in the ritziest of places?MF: We actually shoot mostly up and down the Long Island Expressway, from exits 25 to 50 [west of the Hamptons]. I always laugh when people think they know where we shot. Like, “Oh, I love that fish place in Amagansett,” and I’m like, “No, we shot it in Jones Beach, and our art department rocked it.”
AW: What trouble is the Lawson clan getting into next?MF: I actually don’t know much yet. But we’re shooting part of the season in Florida, so I have made the not-that-brilliant conclusion that we are going down to pick my dad, the fantastic Henry Winkler, up from jail.
AW: Your family is based in L.A. How do you juggle everything?MF: Last season, I flew New York to L.A. and back 16 times. This year, my wife is bringing my three rug rats back east. While I “save lives,” they’ll be building sand castles. It will be so great to finish the day and see those gorgeous, sun-kissed faces waiting for me.