We were originally going to go to Olive & Ivy for dinner. However, they were nowhere near as friendly, and the only "available tables" they had were outside. There were plenty of empty tables inside; however, the hostess said we needed reservations to be seated inside. It was over 100 degrees today, and we were dressed nicely. We did not want to sit and sweat in the patio. We left and were lucky enough to find The Montauk. I was pleasantly surprised from start to finish. I took my mother out for an early Mother's Day dinner. She's in a wheelchair and we had to enter through the back, which is really no big deal given that handicapped parking is in the back of the restaurant and there's a convenient entrance. The staff were really friendly and welcoming. A table was cleaned and made available to use within minutes. The hostess greeted us and was happy to accommodate a table where my mother's wheelchair would fit comfortably. The standout of the night was our server, Hailey. She was so kind, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu. She gave great suggestions and helped us find the perfect food for each of us. My mother is a picky eater, and she actually finished both of her fish tacos! She ordered a diet Pepsi with no ice and a Frosé. The drink was a bit sweet but enjoyable. My mom's caretaker ordered the burger and fries. She was also pleased with what she ordered. I had the chicken sandwich and was pleased with the generous portion of chicken. The seasoning was delicious, and so was the bun. I asked for a side of mayo, and that made it perfect for me. We were all happy and full at the end of the meal. Hailey stopped by several times to ask us how we liked our meal and if we needed anything. She is such a kind and genuine person. She wished my mom a Happy Mother's Day and even made her best effort to say it in Spanish, Feliz Día de las Madres. Hailey is a true gem! We all said that we look forward to going back. As we exited the restaurant, several people held the door open for us and thanked us for visiting. This restaurant could have easily been a snooty Scottsdale establishment, but it wasn't. It was staffed with genuine people, good food, and a fun atmosphere. Thank you for helping me make Mother's Day a success this year! I wish I had taken pictures of the food, but I was hungry and ate right away. The ONLY caveat I have about the place is the parking situation. This is more of a City of Scottsdale/Old Town issue than the restaurant. There was no handicapped accessible parking, and we had to valet. It was $12 for valet plus the 20% tip on top of that. Even so, paying this much for parking was still not a deal breaker, given that the experience as a whole was...
Read moreThe bestie and I have been going to the same brunch places for quite some time, so when we stumbled across this gem on Yelp, you know we had to try it out. Safe to say, we were pleasantly surprised. While the weekend brunch menu is not as abundant as other establishments, we still found dishes we chose and enjoyed immensely.
I'm usually the kind of gal to get anything sweet, fruity, or oatmeal based for brunch whenever I can. I didn't see anything like oatmeal, yogurt, etc. on the menu but I did see a crepe section. I've never had crepes before so I might as well have tried it here. I'm glad I did! I ordered the traditional crepes because the lemon slices and powdered sugar looked so good in the pictures and they literally came out exactly like the picture (no "what I ordered vs. what I got" meme here!) They came out super soft and fluffy - even though they were THIN - so you almost didn't even need the side of syrup. That's how amazing the texture was. They certainly didn't skimp on the powdered sugar either and overall my first crepe experience was a 10/10. When we return, I will be trying the Nutella + banana crepe! My friend ordered the lobster roll and she loved it too! Her fries on the side were super delicious; she commented they were nice and hot when they arrived.
The service was nice. We were seated immediately (granted, we did get there a little after they opened on a Saturday morning) and our server was always attentive! ALSO ALSO, our food came out super quick?! Like we were shocked at how fast our plates came out! If there's one thing about us, we are hungry ladies in the morning so we like to wake up, hit the road, and be eating within an hour of waking up LOL.
A very nice experience; everything was great! We especially loved the cute glasses of water (such an odd thing to love but we enjoy nice glassware okay!) The music was a little loud so I understand all those reviews saying during certain times you can't even hold a conversation with the people you're with, but that won't stop us from coming...
Read moreThe Montauk delivers an immersive maritime dining experience. From the moment you step inside, the carefully crafted nautical/beach atmosphere makes you feel like you're dining on the deck of a seaside boat, complete with authentic maritime details that enhance the overall experience.
The standout dishes here are absolutely worth the visit. The fish tacos are nothing short of remarkable - fresh, flavorful, and expertly prepared with a perfect balance of textures and seasonings. On our first visit, the lobster bisque was equally impressive, rich and luxurious with deep, complex flavors that showcased the kitchen's capabilities. The cocktail program is another highlight, offering delicious drinks even sans alcohol.
However, consistency proved to be an issue during our return visit within the same week. The lobster bisque, which had been exceptional just days earlier, fell short of its previous standard. While still decent, it lacked the depth and richness that had made such a strong first impression, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation or ingredients.
The service throughout both visits was attentive and friendly, with staff who clearly understand the menu and ambiance the restaurant is trying to create. Unfortunately, there's a noticeable issue with pacing that detracted from what should be a leisurely dining experience. Despite the restaurant not being completely packed on either visit, we felt rushed through our meal at times, which doesn't align with the relaxed nautical vibe the space otherwise creates so well.
Despite these concerns, The Montauk offers enough charm and culinary highs that I'd definitely return. The unique atmosphere and standout dishes like those fish tacos make it worth another visit, hopefully with more consistent execution and a more...
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