Only a handful of restaurants in Vail are still around to be considered legacy status, “iconic” even. Montauk Seafood Grill is one of them.
“There are generations of people who have been coming to Montauk,” shares owner Cameron Douglas. “People have been eating here since 1987, and their kids are grown now and bringing their kids. It’s one of those iconic restaurants.”
Photos by Townsend Bessent.
In 2017, Douglas could hardly believe the restaurant was for sale, but he didn’t hesitate on the opportunity to keep something great going. He completely refreshed the space with new artwork, furniture, lighting and paint, and he and his wife Heather even took a trip to Montauk, New York on Long Island to fully experience the namesake.
Douglas had a couple decades of restaurant management under his belt before he acquired Montauk, and he’s also a primary owner of El Segundo in Vail and Eagle. It’s no surprise that he runs a tight ship and it keeps everything afloat nicely. In a valley where employees are hard to find and even harder to keep, Douglas has a crew that stays with him year after year, and that says a lot.
Executive chef Dimitri Souvorin works with trusted purveyors like Seattle Fish Co. to source incredibly fresh seafood, from ahi tuna and Atlantic scallops to Chilean seabass and Scottish salmon. The raw bar menu is not to miss, especially The Tower that’s a generous and delicious display of east and west coast oysters, Alaskan king crab legs, Maine lobster tail and more. Order it to share alongside some Champagne, and you’ll settle right in to your sea legs.
Souvorin brings local land fare to the table as well, featuring seasonally inspired dishes and grilled options like pork chop and filet mignon. Fish and meat options can also be cooked up as “simply seasoned and grilled” with a choice of sides à la carte.
Sail off into the sunset with the Sand Pie dessert, a delectable combination of whipped chocolate chip ice cream, graham cracker crust, warm caramel and chocolate sauce with toasted almonds. Douglas recommends the espresso martini, and we’ll take the captain’s order every time.
Montauk serves dinner nightly from 5 to 9 p.m.
549 E. Lionshead Circle, Vail
970.476.2601
montaukvail.com