Mike S.
Yelp
UPDATE 3/22/18:
Thank you Hali D. for your comment on my review. To be clear, it's not the wait for a table that was the objection, but rather the way we were treated upon entering and trying to ask for a table. Perhaps you can discuss with your hostess that "exceptional service" begins as soon as customers walk through your door.
Original review follows:
I'm not sure why the hostess was so cranky on 10/8/2017 around noon, but someone certainly made a pee pee in her cheerios that day when we arrived to a 3/4 empty restaurant and a wait to be seated. The hostess did not acknowledge us when we arrived as she was scrambling around with great urgency.
Continuing to not acknowledge anyone she gets behind her "welcome" station with a huff, while looking down at paperwork stating the best service she has right now is at the "deck bar". She motions towards the water when we asked where it is located. So we, and the other group of 4 that were ahead of us start to walk toward that area. We notice a bunch of open tables on the deck and bar of about 8 seats with 2 of them filled. The first group proceed to sit at a table, and we are about to when we notice that a waitress tells them we need the hostess to seat us if we want a table. We walk back to the front of the restaurant.
Exasperated when the other group tells her what happens, she tells them it is going to be a minute until a table "opens". We all look at each other, with a slight laugh, wondering what the hell is going on? She takes the other party of 4 to a table and one of them turns to us saying "good luck.". When she returns she informs us we are welcome to wait in an empty dining room where all the chairs are on tables and bars so we are "out of the way" since it will be another few minutes for a table. We move to the side for a minute, stunned and laughing because it really feels like we are being punk'd or in a Saturday Night Live skit. We all make a decision to go elsewhere. Halfway to our car the hostess yells out to us that it will be "only another 3 minutes for a table", which felt like a punchline to a joke. We laugh and say no thanks we rather not.
I've been to the Clam and Chowder House once at Westlake and one time before here at Salivars - I remember there was always a wait and a feeling like they are doing you a favor for letting you eat here. The food was decent and pricey (like most places in Montauk). Most people recommend this place so perhaps they are experiencing something we aren't. Perhaps you will too.. good luck!