Deliciousness - 2/5
Happiness - 4/5
When dealing with restaurants, food - to me - always outweighs the style and decor of a place. And while The Montauk is heavy on the latter, it is a bit lacking in the former.
Don't get me wrong, the food is fine, but was not notable in any way. I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and it didn't honestly have a taste beyond, well, chicken. The cheese was very akin to deli slices and didn't add much to it. The fries on the side were also fine but forgettable.
The decor is great though. They have expertly designed the place (and especially the balcony) to resemble a New England-style upper-scale restaurant. I got a real beach vibe despite being steps from super-congested Scottsdale Road. The staff was friendly and accommodating, though the service itself is generally slow.
They do a special crepe brunch on Sunday afternoon and fried chicken on Sunday nights. I am definitely willing to give either a chance given the uniqueness of the meal options and my genuine enjoyment of the atmosphere. Stay tuned for potential updates!