Montauk Tango by Lewis Gardell
Montauk Tango: From the Ashes of 9/11 to the Frying Pan of a Hamptons Restaurant is a 2010 book by Lewis Gardell. This semi-autobiographical story details his family’s move from Tribeca to Montauk—the easternmost town on Long Island—after the events of 9/11. Through his own eyes, Lewis narrates what it feels like to be on the outside looking in while his wife and three sons navigate starting a beach-town business. The reader embarks on a turbulent journey with the author as he faces the pressures of opening the 668 Gig Shack, struggles to find his role in the new family venture, and tries to share his passion for tango with the locals—all while maintaining his holistic dental practice in New York City.
Along the way, real-life struggles and heartbreaks are balanced by the author’s sharp humor. The lively banter between Lewis and his wife, ‘Gigi’, crackles with a playful yet tense energy that is regularly softened by engaging, lighthearted moments. Narrators Finian Schwarz and Živa Ostaševski bring the memoir to life using dynamic vocal techniques—such as dramatic pitch shifts, playful rhythms, and smiling inflections—to inject much-needed levity into a genuinely difficult chapter of the author’s life.
Disgruntled business neighbors, unmanageable town regulations, temperamental chefs, and erratic waitstaff leave the reader wondering: will the family survive this turbulent time? From an unsuccessful opening day and mounting problems with the town, to real-life issues that strain his marriage, the pressure continuously compounds. Could a love for the tango provide the much-needed relief to this stressful scenario, or will it only deepen the divide? Their resilience is tested repeatedly as they try to turn a run-down ice cream parlor into a dream restaurant.
Lewis Gardell welcomes you to experience Montauk Tango, a warmly resilient and inspiring memoir. Perfect for your summer reading list, copies are available now at local Montauk retail shops.