by Debbie Tuma
In its third year, located in the Montauk Harbor, Grey Lady Montauk is making a name for itself as one of the most fun nightspots, but it also serves great food. The seafood is fresh, and is delivered daily from Gosman’s Dock.
Walking inside this large, waterfront restaurant, you will find a long bar and spacious white walls with art and photos of the sea. There is a huge floor area that fills up later at night, after the dinner crowd, with a younger crowd, and music. In the adjacent room are long rows of tables near the windows, overlooking the scenic Montauk Harbor. There is lots of light and beautiful sunsets in the early evenings. All around, you can see the boats and marinas of the harbor.
Another distinctive thing about this restaurant, are all the interesting young people from different countries who came to work for the summer, giving it a nice, sophisticated, international flair. The bartender, Tin Tin Huss, who talked about his passion for surfing, hails from Sweden. We were greeted by Andrew Halden, the ever-pleasant and accommodating manager, who comes from England. Their talented chef, Nahuel Verdu, hails from Argentina, where is attended culinary school in the city of Mendoza. We had so much fun talking to them, as Andrew sat us at a corner, seaside table.
Bartender Tin Tin whipped us up a couple of Grey Lady Montauk’s special cocktails (the Swedes know how to drink.) We tried the “Spicy Watermelon Margarita,” with Tequila, watermelon, Agave, lime, and Jalapenos, for a kick! So zesty and different….we also sampled the more mellow “Sunset” drink, of Rose, Sparkling White Peach, and Lemon—so refreshing!
As we perused the Grey Lady menu, our waitress Kasey Sluke of New Jersey came over, and brought us some amazing starters. There was a creative dish called “Crab Toast,” consisting of delectable lump 
crabmeat piled high on the crispy toast, with Jalapenos, and Lemon Aioli. Mouth-watering good! The “Oysters & Bacon” was another unusal and decadent dish—three plump oysters served warm with bacon, Worcestershire, and Lemon— so tasty!
As if this seafood weren’t enough (but who’s complaining?) Kasey came out with an irresistible “Lady’s Lobster Roll entree,” chock full of a pound and a quarter of freshly shucked cold lobster meat, on a toasted Brioche Bun, served with French Fries. So fresh and delicious!! Sean from Ireland carried out the “Seafood Linguine” entree, which was piled high with shrimp, clams, mussels, and grilled calamari, with herb breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, on top of linguini. It was also fresh, tasty and…life doesn’t get better than that!
But much to our surprise, there was nother treat ahead, as Chef Nahuel Verdu came over to our table with his own signature dish from Argentina—A Flan with Dulce De Leche—or condensed milk, plus a wicked combination of caramel and chocolate sauce poured over it, and topped with whipped cream! We were in heaven. Loved chatting with the chef about his food and culture, and he may be the King of Flans!
The Grey Lady Montauk also has a raw bar with Montauk Pearls, clams, shrimp and lobster cocktails, etc. , great salads, fresh fish, fish tacos, and more, on the menu. They serve dinner 7 days a week, starting at 5 p.m. They also do a late-night menu from 11 p.m. till 2 a.m, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They do “Happiest Hours” daily from 5-7 pm, with $5 MTKS, $5 Rose wine, and $1 oysters.
Yet another interesting thing about Grey Lady Montauk, is that they will soon be adding “Lionfish” to their menu, which is found in the warmer Caribbean waters. Ryan Chadwick, who owns Grey Lady Montauk, is a diver and has caught many of these fish, which he is adding to his menu of fresh fish. In addition to Grey Lady Montauk, he owns other Grey Lady Restaurants in Aspen, New York City, and Nantuckett.
“I grew up on the water, around Boothbay Harbor in Maine,” said Chadwick. “My father was a lobsterman, and I have always enjoyed fresh seafood.”
He later spent time in Nantuckett, and he also enjoyed going to Aspen in the winters.
When asked how “Grey Lady” got its name, Chadwick said he named it after the famous fog that would roll into Nantuckett Island, making everything seem grey.
440 West Lake Drive in Montauk. Call 631-210-6249, or visit:
www.greyladymtk.com
