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Montauk Yacht Club
Montauk Yacht Club - Logo
Montauk, N.Y. - USA
4 Stars & 5 Stripes
Merit - Extraordinary
May - 2010
4 Stars & 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service'
The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes®
On a sunny midweek afternoon in May, we traveled to Montauk Long Island to visit and review the famous Montauk Yacht Club. Montauk is located on the very tip of Long Island and is noted for its spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, and its casual laid back attitude and ambiance unlike its sister communities in the Hampton's. Because of its easy accessibility by car, boat, train, and air, Montauk attracts local tourists and travelers from around the world seeking sun, solitude, and surf. Montauk also offers visitors great recreational facilities with its local parks, lighthouse, golf course, fishing, surfing, as well as charming bed and breakfasts, gourmet restaurants and resorts.
Montauk Yacht Club - View
Montauk Yacht Club - View
As Rita and I drove through the affluent, high profile towns of Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Amagansett, we approached Star Island Drive and the famed Montauk Yacht Club. Montauk Yacht Club (MYC) was built over 80 years ago, and has a fabled history as a playground for the rich and famous. Carl Fisher, one of the roaring twenties most celebrated millionaire entrepreneurs and land developers, built the original MYC clubhouse in 1929. Fisher had previously achieved fame and fortune with his visionary investments in Miami Beach in Florida.
Not content to "sit still" and savor his successes. Fisher created and developed his vision for the "Miami Beach" of the North in Montauk. He purchased 9000 acres in Montauk and built the Montauk Yacht Club a luxurious resort hotel, office buildings, & a marina, as well as roads and homes. To lead his friends and business associates to the new Montauk Yacht Club, Fisher constructed a unique mini version replica of the world famed Montauk Lighthouse as part of his clubhouse. The beacon lights from the new "mini" lighthouse shone brightly each night to lead guests and business associates along Star Island Road to Carl Fisher's new resort and marina. We drove to the Montauk Yacht Clubs entrance and were promptly greeted by a smartly attired bellman who took our luggage and valet parked our car.
Montauk Yacht Club - Light House
Montauk Yacht Club - Light House
We entered the ornate metal double doors of the resort and were instantly impressed by the bright nautical look reflected in furnishings, wall decor and the aquariums filled with Koi. Our check in at the desk was quick and facilitated by nautically attired front desk staff, who greeted us and provided information about our room. We then met our bellman at our deluxe room on the second floor of the main building. Our guest room was filled with midday sunlight reflecting off the placid waters of Montauk Lake, and decorated in a nautically themed blue and white. Our king-sized bed was spacious, comfortable and smart looking with crisp white, high thread count sheets, blue bedspread and pillows.
Montauk Yacht Club - Room
Montauk Yacht Club - Room
The resort recently had an extensive million dollar plus refreshing and it was clearly reflected in the furniture, large HD TV, and decor. We opened the sliding door to our porch and basked in the sunlight while looking out on the glorious yachts of the marina and the deep blue waters of the lake. After unpacking and freshening up we decided to acquaint ourselves with some of the many fun features of the hotel. We looked in on the indoor pool, health club and weight room, and then strolled down to the newly renovated Caribbean themed "Barracuda Bar" to unwind with a couple of "oh so smooth" and delicious Strawberry and Banana Daiquiris.
Montauk Yacht Club - Bar
Montauk Yacht Club - Bar
The bar seamlessly adjoins the newly refreshed "Hurricane Alley Cafe" both facing the marina and one of the two outdoor pools. Hurricane Alley offers casual breakfasts, lunch, and midday snacks. Although the Memorial Day Holiday was still a few days away, the Cafe was busy and alive with music and conversation. Hungry after our trip we decided to sample the new cuisine of James Beard award winning Executive Chef Robbin Haas. We ordered a sensational lobster roll on a croissant, overflowing with large pieces of young and tender lobster, and a spectacular "Kobe" Burger with Muenster and mushrooms. Truthfully, the burger is so mouthwateringly good it requires little additional embellishment. I had the opportunity to introduce myself to Chef Haas who insisted that we try a slice of the new "Artisan Pizza" which had just come out of his newly installed pizza ovens for the first time. The crust and sweet tomato sauce were excellent! We finished our "snack" with some slices of fresh pineapple and watermelon.
The international wait staff at the bar and cafe was very pleasant and knowledgeable and the entire restaurant area was reminiscent of dining at a fine resort in the Caribbean. The gorgeous yachts at the marina further enhanced the tropical resort ambiance. MYC has 232 yacht slips, which during the season accommodate some of the world's most beautiful yachts of the truly "rich and famous". One of the yachts that docks at the marina has a helipad, cigarette boat and 11 staff members. We then made our way to the adjoining pool area where we sunbathed and swam along with an eclectic group of guests and children, businessmen and international tourists from Europe and Asia.
Montauk Yacht Club - Beach
Montauk Yacht Club - Beach
Later in the afternoon we returned to our room to relax, refresh and I spent a few moments trying to work off some of the of the calories on the gym's treadmill prior to our dinner. This was going to be our more formal introduction to the cuisine of Robbin Haas and his mastery of blending local homegrown vegetables, meats and poultry. After sampling lobsters, oysters, diver scallops and salad we knew that the following evenings Tasting Menu prepared by Chef Haas, would be treat! We went back to our room relaxed and filled with a sense of excitement in anticipation of the next day. After a light continental breakfast I met with Lloyd Van Horn, the General Manager of the Montauk Yacht Club, a charming, sophisticated and experienced gentleman who in one year has turned Montauk Yacht Club into a very highly regarded resort/marina and catering venue.
Lloyd is responsible for the resorts operations, and maintaining its image as a unique Long Island resort and a world class Yachting destination. Lloyd's background includes 20 years at top rated multi-faceted venues across the U.S. Most recently, he was Resort Manager at Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe Vermont, which consistently ranks as a number one hotel, spa and ski resort. He was also general manager of the world acclaimed Relais & Chateaux resorts, The Wilcox in Aiken South Carolina, and The Point in Saranac Lake, New York. MYC has been in the news with major catered affairs, weddings, and parties with top celebrities from the world of entertainment. After an enlightening meeting with Lloyd, I could easily understand why Montauk Yacht has grown dramatically. Lloyd is a man with a plan and a vision for his resort!
Montauk Yacht Club - GM - Lloyd Van Horn
General Manager - Lloyd Van Horn
I continued my tour of the resort's grounds that encompass 135 acres and include Har-Tru® tennis courts, villas and guesthouses, and an on-premises leased spa facility. We then took a short but fascinating drive through the town of Montauk and visited the world famous Lighthouse, and enjoyed the spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean. - We returned for a light lunch, a walk among the yachts of the marina, and some fun conversation with fellow guests at the Barracuda Bar. That evening we  looked forward to cocktails and dinner at the Gulf Coast Kitchen where we would dine on a "Tasting menu" created by Robbin Haas, the Yacht Club's newly appointed Executive Chef.
 Gulf Coast Kitchen - Restaurant
Gulf Coast Kitchen - Restaurant
Robbin comes to the Yacht club with fabulous credentials. He has over 30 years of noted culinary experience and has travelled around the world showcasing his legendary skills in Russia, Finland, Europe, Mexico, South and Central America, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Robbin is acclaimed for preserving the culinary heritage of the country he resides in, and by utilizing locally procured products. He has achieved the iconic position of the "founding father" of "New World Cuisine" In 2004, he founded "Robbin Haas" concepts, a full service restaurant consulting firm offering a true understanding of consumer trends, to such famous venues as Clevelander Hotels, and Mark Miller Restaurants. Today, Haas oversees the restaurants of Montauk Yacht Club including Gulf Coast Kitchen, Hurricane Alley and the Barracuda Bar. We dressed for the evening and went downstairs to the beautifully decorated Gulf Coast Kitchen where Chef Haas presented our Tasting Menu for the evening.
 Gulf Coast Kitchen - Restaurant
Gulf Coast Kitchen - Restaurant
Our Tasting Menu began with an assortment of delectable appetizers such as Tuna Tartare, Soy Ginger, Wakame, Rhubarb Sorbet, consisting of the freshest finely chopped tuna belly mixed with salt, pepper and spices. Chef Haas combined this tasty morsel together with soy ginger sauce and wakame sea vegetable, a type of kelp that looks and tastes like spinach. We enjoyed a glass of Pinot Noir, Chalone 2008 produced in Monterey California, where the climate and terroir produce a silky smooth nectar full of berries and spice. We also tried the Acorn Hill Goat cheese Gnocchi in Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, a decidedly thick savory soup laced with fresh floral basil oil and sprinkled with an abundance of light and tasty goat cheese gnocchi. The wine pairing of Antinori Tignanello, Chianti 2006, offered us a chance to taste a truly great ‘Super Tuscan’ that reflects the modern version of a traditional Chianti by blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with Sangiovese.
Our entrée selection started with Butter Poached Lobster with Asparagus, Oyster Mushrooms and Baby Corn offering tender bite-sized pieces of lobster claw meat and jumbo shrimp over a bed of Chinese wok-style vegetables topped with micro greens. The richness of the succulent lobster meat just screamed out for a vibrant and aromatic chardonnay like the Louis Carillon Pulingy Montrachet, refreshing and ripe with orange peel and summer stone fruits while revealing a long mineral finish. For a second entrée, Chef Haas treated us to Seared Skate Wing, Tomatoes, Oranges, Grapefruit and Tarragon Vinaigrette, for an imaginative combination of citrus and tomatoes together with tender skate wing, its surface pan seared in butter thereby producing a delicious caramelized coating loaded with flavor. The wine recommendation for this entrée became a buttery, well-balanced Cakebread, Chardonnay 2004, a creamy light gold straw colored wine with a moderate amount of French oak. Finally, our dessert of Tartlet of Local Berries with Crème Anglaise presented a simple design but garden fresh berry taste topped with a light custard of sugar, hot milk, egg yolks and vanilla. While enjoying the remnants of this decadent dessert our server poured two fluted glasses of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, a perennial obsession of ours eagerly accepted and relished. We finished dinner, chatted with fellow guests and listened to some delightful music before adjourning for a good night’s slumber. In the morning after a light breakfast of granola, Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, we sat out by the pool for a few more hours before leaving the idyllic shores of Montauk Lake for home. Our experience was superb! Congratulations to GM Lloyd Van Horn, his staff and IGY. They are all to be congratulated on creating an exciting new atmosphere, and ambiance at an iconic resort. Montauk Yacht Club is a wonderful venue for vacations, and events, just a short ride away for those in the Tri-State area of New York, as well as domestic and international travelers.
by Barry Kay
© 2010 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc.


 
 
 
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Disclaimer:

Although the above information was accurate at the time of publication, it can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all pertinent information with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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