Montauk Pioneer - February 13, 2009 - Montauk Dining

Shagwong is gearing up for the 2009 season. Jimmy Hewitt has the place poised to perform up to his very demanding standards. Manager LeeAnn DePasquale, along with Co-Executive Chefs Clive Walker and Shawn Hewitt, are ready to make your meal a special event.

Carl Fisher created the Shagwong back in 1927; it has always had a reputation for being a friendly eating place. Owned since 1969 by Jimmy Hewitt, the Shagwong is rich in history and authentic antique decor. The short litany of owners ranges from Frank Tuma, Sr. (1930s to 1940s) to Mary Woods (from the 1950s until 1969). Jimmy Hewitt now has the honor of owning the historic eatery for a longer period than anyone, closing in on exactly 40 years. All of those years, Jimmy's brother Peter has tended the bar. I feel compelled to mention the whole staff because they work so well together in perfect concert. The waiters consist of Diego, Yasmine, Melido, Colin and Bryan with Tania as their runner. The bartenders are of course Peter, along with Mike and Velaine. My friend Jami may be returning soon behind the bar also. The cooks are Walter, Miriam and Carmen. The hard working dish washers are Ivan and Victor.

The Shagwong customer has come to expect a high standard of excellence with every portion of every serving. When I sampled the fare I was so pleased, from the peanut crusted ribs, to the goat cheese salad, it was totals thumbs up. The fluke I was served was actually caught that day and it was a wow! The steak was the usual top choice beef the Shagwong always provides and was prepared superbly. Everything was served hot with a wonderful presentation.

The desserts were so over the top I am still smiling about them as I write. There is a prix fixe, special, three-course menu for $21.95 seven days a week all year. The seafood entrees range from Lobster Fra Diavolo with mussels and clams to the classic 20 oz. Sub Prime N.Y. Sirloin Steak au Poivre. The fish specials each evening range from old standards such as broiled fluke, grilled salmon, pan seared rare sesame tuna, fish and chips, shrimp scampi, and of course, fish and chips. Shagwong serves the prix fixe until 11 p.m. all year, the bar menu is served until midnight and some other treats at the bar are available until 2 a.m.

Shagwong is the standard-bearer restaurant in the Village of Montauk. Through the years, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Hutton and Cheryl Tiegs have dined there along with a few of the Beatles and most of the Rolling Stones. The stained glass on the windows and over the bar has a hallowing touch. It reminds you that you are in a place where the Montauk royalty has come in to let their hair down. Even today, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, Dick Cavett, Peter Beard and others stop in for a beer, a burger, a lobster or a glass of Merlot just to check the temperature of Montauk at the moment or to get a feel of the pulse, because that is what the Shagwong is: the pulse of Montauk. In addition to the celebs, locals and commercial fisherman with their families are there on a regular basis to mix with the many first time visitors who want to partake in Montauk legend. Shagwong will not let you down. In fact it will lift your spirit up. As one patron said, "It's sometimes like going to church."