There’s nothing more comforting than sitting down al fresco to a plate of pasta when the weather is warm. I expected fresh fish tacos from 668 The Gig Shack, but I did not expect homemade fettuccine with roasted plum tomato and confit garlic.
The funky little restaurant and bar has a split personality in more ways than one. Feeling a little under the weather one night, I had a hard time choosing where to sit: High-top bar table? Picnic table? Jazzy bar stool? Moody banquette? A cafe table, with a view of downtown Montauk, felt just right. If we were not three blocks away from the Atlantic ocean, I could have sworn we were in Europe. There’s definitely a surfer’s vibe. And a bubble machine.
The whole picture came into focus once owner Tracey Gardell came bouncing up table side, more bubbly than the machine. Before I could wrap my foggy head around this vision in white, she was pouring her favorite Ayala Rosé Majeur, from Champagne Ayala, an old-school champagne vineyard with a “modern” twist: it’s run by oenologist Caroline Latrive, a woman! Sacre bleu! “Champagne Sundays,” offers half-priced bottles of champagne, prosecco and sparkling wine, including Wolffer Noblesse Oblige Sparkling Rosé.
As reggae music played on, a huge Billy Goat Salad was presented, piled high with vegetables from Sean Frasier’s Farro Farms in East Hampton, lightly dressed in ginger vinaigrette, with panko crusted goat cheese and topped with toasted almonds.
The highlight for me was the homemade pasta. Thanks to a recent pasta making lesson, I learned it’s not as easy as it looks, and unfortunately, it’s not that common to find fresh around these parts. (I miss Estia’s chef Colin Ambrose’s daughters, who used to sell their fresh pasta at the local farmers market. Did they really have to go to college?)
Gardell’s three sons also work at 668 the Gig Shack. Gray is the chef, Sylar is head bartender and Arden is the manager.
Gardell makes most of the desserts herself. Although I was stuffed, she was not taking “no” for an answer and stuffed a to-go bag into my hands. Of course, I ate her famous key lime pie as soon as I got home and realized why it was famous.
By the time I went to bed, I had made a miraculous recovery.
668 The Gig Shack 782 Main Street, Montauk
631-668-2727
668thegigshack.com
Open six days a week for dinner; closed Wednesday through Columbus Day Weekend. Serving lunch Saturday and Sunday.
Happy Hour: Monday through Friday 5:30 – 7 p.m. at the bar
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