by Sue Giustino
A cozy pub for any time of year!
Warm and welcoming, the atmosphere of the pub and dining area at the Shagwong Tavern and Bar, is a great place for a mid-winter treat. Whether you’re looking to relax with a bite or full meal, there’s always something yummy cooking. The spacious bar area with high-top seating options is perfect for the afternoon or evening to eat, drink and socialize, or maybe catch a game. Looking for a quieter location, the dining area or enclosed garden patio are a perfect choice.
Chef Garfield has been working at Shagwong as a Sous Chef for eight years, now he’s running the kitchen. Arriving in Montauk in 1999, Garfield has worked at various venues including a long stay at the Montauk Yacht Club. We arrived for dinner on a Thursday night to try his famous Chicken Parmesan, and were not disappointed.
After a cocktail at the bar, we chose to eat at a table near the window in the dining room. Our waiter, Hollywood, was friendly and efficient as always. He told us that Chef would send out some of his favorites for us to try, so we enjoyed our conversation and drinks as we waited.
Arriving first, from the Raw Bar, was an order of large Shrimp Cocktail with a tasty cocktail sauce. They were crisp and nicely chilled. Other Raw Bar options include clams, oysters, and a shellfish tower with a combination of all three. Next, was the Clams Casino. Cooked perfectly tender with red pepper, garlic and herbs they were bursting with flavor. Other appetizer favorites that I often enjoy when visiting are the Steamed Clams with a white wine garlic and butter sauce, of course the Wings, and the Mac & Cheese with Lobster. This dish is so cheesy, loaded with chunks of lobster, and tasty that it’s hard not to order it.
From the main Entrées, we had the 16 oz. NY Strip which was tender and cooked to a perfect rare/med-rare. Plated with a generous portion of mashed potatoes and fresh sauteed broccolini, with a dipping sauce for the steak makes this meal a delicious option. Next came one of my favorite Montauk Lobster Rolls, with house made cold lobster salad overflowing from a grilled New England style brioche roll and served with French fries. The lobster salad is full of chunks of lobster meat with a bit of celery and herbs, and just enough dressing to keep it together without being overloaded and soggy- it truly is my go-to when I’m needing a lobster roll.
There was a wonderful array of choices on the evening Specials menu including Pan-Seared-Scallops, Fresh Catch Fish Tacos, Jamaican Jerk Wrap with grilled chicken, Fluke Francaise, or a lamb, chicken or falafel Gyro. For us, Chef prepared the thick Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop which was outstanding. Tenderly grilled and topped with a delicious Sausage-Red Pepper Sherry Wine Chutney, atop a bed of creamy sweet potato mash and the tasty sauteed broccolini. Our final dish was Garfield’s famous Chicken Parmesan. A very generous portion of Chicken Cutlet, thick, but not too thick, coated with seasoned bread crumbs and fried to a perfect crisp while preserving the tender juicy chicken, then topped with mozzarella and Italian seasoning. Served with a bed of pasta, this dish is not only delicious, but a substantial meal which will almost definitely result in tasty left-overs.
The Daily menu includes many of the tried-and-true items one looks for in a pub style eatery plus a nice array of sea-side favorites. Choices range from Chicken Wings prepared in one of three ways, Shagwong New England Clam Chowder, Fried Calamari, Steamed Clams or Mussels, Raw Bar items, or Baked Mac & Cheese [plain, or with lobster or chicken] to Greek, Caesar, or a Farm fresh Salad. Additionally, there’s delectable sandwiches like the Prime Rib Sandwich and the notorious Shagwong Burger, as well as main fish, vegetarian, or meat options. In addition to the daily lunch and dinner menus, be sure to look for the Nightly and Weekly Dinner Specials.
Tuesday-is Taco Night with a choice of the House Fish, Fried Shrimp, Blackened Chicken or Ground Beef. Wednesday-a 3-Course Prix Fix with either Soup or Salad, and entrée choice of Fluke Francaise, ½ Roasted Chicken, Grilled Pork Chop, or House Pasta of the Night. Thursday is the 2-Course Chicken Parm Dinner with a choice of Soup or Salad, and Garfield’s Famous Crispy Chicken Parmesan served over pasta with garlic bread.
The BAR & KITCHEN are open 7 Days a Week, Serving Lunch from 12-5pm and Dinner from 5pm-Close.The Bar is open late every night. To place an order Call 631.668.3050 or for online orders go to https://shagwongtavern.com/
