Respect the Ocean. Harvest the Bounty. Feed the People
by Sue Giustino
Since 2006, Inlet Seafood Restaurant has been owned and operated by 6 longtime friends and fishermen, their daily catch being the foundation of their incredible menu. Always serving deliciously fresh ‘boat to table’ meals that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, the Inlet never disappoints. Through the years families and friends have gathered with a bird’s eye view of the entrance to Montauk Harbor while appreciating the breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views of the Block Island Sound. Whether it’s for a casual night out, a special intimate dinner for two, a work gathering, a wedding or a family milestone celebration, The Inlet provides the perfect location, ambiance, and food to create a spectacular event.
This Season the Inlet welcomes back Chef Henry Jimenez who’s been cooking in their kitchen on and off since they opened. They told me that last summer, when the previous Chef left, it seemed like the natural next step was for Henry to step in. This year, he’s surprised them all by tweaking some recipes and adding new ones. The owners are all very grateful for his talent, loyalty and work ethic.
Whether we are enjoying a light meal at the bar through sunset, a lunch outside on a deck, or a small gathering in one of the dining rooms, we always love an outing to the Inlet. Both bars, upstairs and downstairs are great for enjoying a cocktail before and/or after dinner, or for eating a meal-as we like to do. For this visit we chose a Thursday night and sat in the dining room watching the sun, eager to provide us with a bit of a sunset, burn through the remaining rainy-day clouds.
Although the restaurant is known for their sushi and fresh fish choices- the non-fish options are also quite popular- especially by carnitarians. The ‘From the Land’ section of the menu offers chicken, steak, hamburger and even a Long Island Duck- a dish my husband really enjoys which is served with grilled zucchini, fingerling potatoes, and sweet chili hoisin sauce. In addition, there are a number of salads that are always fresh and delicious, to which you can add fresh catch, shrimp, or chicken. On of my favorites is the Goat Cheese Salad with organic field greens, roasted red peppers, sunflower seeds all tossed in a basil vinaigrette and topped with a goat cheese ball. Other favorites from over the years include the Steak & Frites, Pan Seared Sea Scallops or Tuna Steak, Local Fresh Tacos, and the Classic Fish & Chips. Not to mention the list of delicious Appetizers, Raw Bar and Nightly Specials Menu.
Looking for something new to try, our waiter Jason suggested the Tuna Nachos which are a perfect combination of textures and flavors. Created with crispy, crunchy wonton chips, tender fresh creamy avocado and tuna, along with a bit of spice from the spicy mayo, and accented by the savory umami flavor of the seaweed salad- this sushi twist on nachos is just delicious.
The Sushi menu is quite complete with a great selection of Nori Rolls, Sushi & Sashimi Rolls and Platters, and many tasty starters like our Tuna Nachos. After a friendly visit and recommendations from Johnny at the Sushi Bar we decided on two specialty rolls, the Lady Slipper and the FM Station. Arranged like a pink fan, the Lady Slipper is a gentle combination of shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and avocado wrapped in pink soy paper and plated with a swish of sweet chili sauce. With a unique red and black tobiko top, the FM Station is created with salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and avocado. Both rolls, although quite different, are spectacularly fresh and delicious. If you want a roll without rice, try the Inlet Roll– a blend of spicy crunchy tuna, avocado and siracha & ponzu sauce- it’s one of my favorites!
For our meals, we chose a pasta, and the Black Sea Bass Filet-another of Jason’s recommendations. Again, wanting to try something new for us, we went with the Cavatelli & Broccoli -prepared with garlic and oil, and it was delicious. Both the cavatelli and broccoli were cooked to a perfect al dente, as were the shrimp we added to the dish [options include Fresh Catch, Shrimp, or Chicken]. Aside from our pasta and the Pappardelle Bolognese [beef, pork, and veal], 
the other pasta choices are created with a few different types of seafood. They are all delicious options, with the Spicy Seafood Fra Diavolo with sauteed shrimp, calamari, clams, mussels and the Linguini with Fresh Clams in a white wine sauce being two of our favorites!
Jason had mentioned that due to its popularity, the Black Sea Bass Filet has been offered on the Special Menu for a while. And after trying it, I can see why. With a perfectly crispy skin, the tender flaky filets were perched atop a bed of creamy risotto surrounded by lemon capers, cherry tomatoes, and a light paprika sauce. This savory dish is an excellent blend of flavors to enjoy while also appreciating the natural goodness of the gentle Sea Bass.
Although we were too stuffed to enjoy dessert, they offer creative tasty treats including a Cookilicious, Chocolate Torte, and Panna Cotta – be sure to check them out.
The Inlet Seafood is located at the end of East Lake Drive – just before Gin Beach; a great location – offering consistently delicious food. They are open for lunch 12-3:30 and dinner beginning at 4:30, Thursday through Sunday. For further information, go to https://www.inletseafood.com/
