East Quogue, known as Fourth Neck when it was settled in 1673, earned its current name in 1891. If you notice the last names Carter, Downs, Phillips, Jackson, Foster, Howell, Reeve, and Squires, these were the families that settled the hamlet in the 19th century. According to the East Quogue Historical Society, which houses a trove of information, some of the early settlers were woodcutters, in addition to the usual suspects — fishermen and farmers. In some ways, the hamlet is less of a resort destination today than it was in the 1920s and ’30s, when well-heeled hunting parties went off into the woods, when there were local baseball teams, and, with East Quogue lacking a bridge, when boats would ferry the holiday crowd to the beach. Today, the hamlet’s lifestyle is still centered around fishing, boating, swimming, and beachcombing, with cultural events pegged, for year-rounders, to the doings at the local elementary school.

For fine dining, the first name on people’s lips is the Stone Creek Inn. More than 20 years ago, Frenchman Christian Mir, a chef, and his wife, Elaine DiGiacomo, restored a historic home to offer prix fixe and a la carte dinners with menu items like chicken liver mousse, Provençal bouillabaisse, and, for Bistro Mondays, escargot, poulet a la Normandie, and profiteroles. On the coast, the sunsets from Dockers Waterside are so stunning that the place draws diners from nearby towns. The seafood menu includes oysters, littleneck clams, lobster mac ’n’ cheese, and cioppino. Plus, Dockers has a voted-best happy hour and does a mean Sunday brunch, from the hearty (short rib hash) to the decadent (challah French toast). For sushi on Montauk Highway, there’s Sakura House Inc., and for pizza, heros, soups, and breakfast sandwiches, head to East Quogue Pizza and Deli (delivery available). Shopping — that means flowers, kids clothing, cards, jewelry, and home décor — can be found up and down Montauk Highway and Jessup Avenue.