by Debbie Tuma
If you’re looking to escape the maddening crowds this summer, you should check out Gin Beach Café, located at 467 East Lake Drive, at the Montauk Anglers Club Marina. There is plenty of parking, and as you walk up the steps to the back of the marina, you will suddenly find the most amazing waterfront view!
This charming and casual restaurant, open from now through October, overlooks beautiful charter boats floating in serene Lake Montauk. Since it faces the west, it gets the most amazing sunsets for dinnertime diners. When my friend and I arrived about 5 p.m. on a Saturday night in late June, the pale pink lighting alone was a reason to sit there, staring across to the Montauk Yacht Club. As we ordered some Margaritas, sitting right on the water, the day’s stress just seemed to melt away.
Gin Beach Café is an intimate restaurant, seating about 60 people on two levels, on an open-air deck overlooking the water, or just above, inside with tables and a TV for sports, near the bar. Being located just behind the Montauk Anglers Club Marina, they specialize in fresh seafood, but have other options as well. Our waiter named Heath came over with menus offering a wide range of appetizers and entrees. We chose to share the special appetizer of Baked Clams and Stuffed Shrimp Combo, which were two of each, and large sizes.
For dinner I chose the special of the day, which was a huge piece of sauteed, Fluke Stuffed with Crabmeat, served with wild rice and a side of veggies consisting of squash, peppers, mushrooms, and more. The fluke was so big that I took half of it home. My friend had a lobster roll that was chock full of hot, buttery lobster, in a toasted roll with a side of cole slaw, that she said was plentiful and delicious.
There were many other options for landlubbers, such as 14 ounce Steaks, Baby Back Ribs, Sauteed Chicken Breast, Nachos and all kinds of Sliders.
The night we went there we had a choice of three desserts: Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Lava Cake or Creme Brulée. Being a chocolate lover, I chose the Lava Cake, which was sinfully gooey and topped with whipped cream, while my friend loved the creamy and sensual Creme Brulée.
As we ate, we chatted with our attentive waiter, Heath, who was fun and energetic, hopping up and down the two levels with dexterity. He had come from Fort Lauderdale to work for the summer, and seemed to love Montauk.
Their large menu also features many other seafood entrees, including Fish and Chips, Seafood Pasta, Soft Shell Crab Francese, and Tempura Lobster Tail. Although Gin Beach does not offer whole lobsters, you can find them at their other restaurant named CAPS, located in the Montauk Harbor at 448 West Lake Drive. Amy Breidenbach is the owner of both restaurants, starting Gin Beach Café in 2019 and CAPS two years ago.
Briedenbach also had two restaurants in Seaford, Long Island, including Crabby Amy’s and another one called “CAPS,” named after her father. “My father was a captain in the NYC Fire Department, and when I came to Montauk, I thought that same name would be good for all the fishing captains,” she said. “I always wanted to be out in Montauk, so we bought a house here and we love it,” she said.
While CAPS is in the heart of the Montauk Fishing Docks, Gin Beach Café is situated behind the Montauk Anglers Club Marina, owned by Tom Cornacchia, and managed by his son Will. The restaurant and marina share some picnic tables outside, where people can also sit and order food. The marina has a ship store with bait and tackle, and a fish tank with baby sharks on view!
For Gin Beach Café, call 631-668-3232 and for CAPS, call 631-238-5707.