Restaurant Reviews
Star Island Yacht Club Restaurant
The following article originally appeared in Dan's Papers.
The restaurant at the Star Island Yacht Club has three teriffic things going for it; a wonderful view of Montauk Bay, fresh locally caught seafood prepared in a casual atmosphere, and a glimpse for its patrons of the beautiful yachts that flide in and out of the harbor while you dine poolside.
On a lovely Saturday afternoon over perfect Bloody Mary's, peppery and well balanced, we started with shrimp poppers, which are lightly fried with Monterey Jack cheese that is hot and melty. Next, we took our waiters suggestion to try the jalapeno poppers, which were super-spicy and full of flavor. In addition to a full bar including beer, wine and frozen tropical drinks, the menu includes a casual selection of mostly seafood-based favorites. The beer-battered fish and chips was excellent, hot and crispy, and the grilled tuna that included a side of waffle fries was just the way fish this close to the docks should be - super fresh and simple. Fried calamari, homemade chili, broasted chicken and fried clam bellies rounded out the menu.
In addition to the beer-battered fish, the Yacht Club's outdoor restaurant offers a variation of this fish with shrimp. Hungry for salad? Caeser salads are offered with grilled tuna, shrimp and chicken. Colombo yogurt serve as dessert in various flavors. We were told that the restaurant gets much of its catch from friends who are sport fisherman. "We don't buy anything at the fish markets," she said. "We can see when the boats come in and we go over and buy from them directly."
When asked about the seasoning used in the grilled tuna dish, our waitress informed us that it was to secret. She did tell us, however, that the base of the marinade was an Italian dressing flavored with a variety of herbs. When we're open full time, we have jerk tuna, homemade codfish cakes and, lobster rolls in the summer. We always have Manhattan and New England chowder as far as lobster and soups go." Our waiter explained that the restaurant only uses fresh ingredients and never anything "out of a can."
The restaurant attracts a wide variety of visitors - boaters ashore for the day or a week in Montauk and day tourists as well as locals, who are looking for a casual but beautiful place to grab a cocktail, sit by the pool and gaze out at Montauk Bay. The friendly staff and extraordinary view, combined with the fresh seafood selections and great Bloody Marys made, makes the restaurant at the Star Island Yacht Club a definite go for any time during the season.
