Montauk Pioneer - July 4, 2008

East By Northeast, located at 51 Edgemere Street, is a wonderful fine dining choice in Montauk. Executive Chef Dave Piacente along with Managers Tom Martin and Rachel Goldberg present a contemporary American style fused with an Asian influence. East By Northeast features the finest Montauk seafood, locally sourced produce and provisions as well as what manager Tom Martin calls "serious steaks." In fact both East By Northeast and The Harvest - a sister restaurant also in Montauk - now host Tom's newly compiled "New World and American Wine list with an emphasis on the Long Island Wines."

The atmosphere at ENE (as locals call it) is sublime with its amazing, arresting view of Fort Pond featured through the large, almost floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the glow of so many wonderful, famously romantic Montauk sunsets.

Owners John Erb, Bruce Bernacchia, and Angelo Liberatore have brought their concept of 'something for everyone' nightly to Montauk at ENE, following a successful fourteen year trend at Harvest. Along with East By Northeast (ENE specializes in steaks and local seafood), the owners have also created and operate Harvest-on-Hudson, 1 River Street in Hastings on the Hudson, in conjuncture with their newest successful venture called Half Moon in Dobbs Ferry that opened this spring. Co-owner John Erb explained the new restaurant is named after explorer Henry Hudson's vessel that first sailed up the Hudson, named "Half Moon."

I sampled the Poke Tuna Tartar with watermelon, avocado, fried wontons and wasabi soy emulsion. Also interesting to check out would be an order of Peking Duck Tacos, using a Hoisin BBQ sauce with an avocado salsa. ENE has a terrific raw bar and on hot days their iced seafood towers are exceptional. East coast oysters, West coast oysters, clams, jumbo shrimp, and Alaskan crab legs. Everyone raves about the Prince Edward Island Mussels, perhaps a meal just by themselves. The main entrée's consist of an array of tremendous choices like Scottish salmon "Aqua Pazzo," Panko Crusted Rare Tuna, Long island Crescent Duck Breast, Boneless Braised Lamb Shank, a grilled free range chicken and a crispy BBQ tofu steak.

As for the "serious steaks" There is a wonderful filet mignon served with grilled mushrooms and a bacon red wine sauce. Then there is a Japanese hot rock; sliced raw filets of beef, with red onion, roasted peppers, and a soy dipping sauce. I had the Kansas City cut (bone on sirloin) and loved every bite with such rich juices and that special bone flavor each taste put me over the top. The California prime rib eye is for the very serious steak eaters. It is served along with Haricot vert, tiny tomatoes, a pickled red onion, and champagne emulsion. There were so many amazing desserts. We sampled the a collcetion of creme brulee's in cups that was like a work or art. The ginger, coffee, and regular creme burlee's were my favorites. A special thanks to Jen Boerem, the waitress who was thorough, professional, friendly and quick.

Dinner starts being served at 5:30 p.m. and goes through until 10:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The rest of the week closing times vary between 9:30 and 10 p.m., so it is always good to call on week days.

It should be noted that East By Northeast only accepts Visa and MasterCard.

There is a Monday Steak Night at $20 as well as a Sunday -Thursday prix fixe all evening long.

It goes without saying that East By Northeast is a special place for weddings and private parties. For information or to make reservations call 631-668-2872 or visit their website at www.harvest2000.com