Montauk Striped Bass

Montauk striped bass “striper” is a controlled fishing industry that only adds to the coveted nature of this pristine, white flaky fish. Each fisherman (they’re almost all men) is given 200 tags per year, and so they all have to decide whether to fish when the fleet is plentiful over the summer, or to save their tags for the late fall and early winter when the supply is slim, and the catch is that much more sought after (and expensive).

We love striped bass whole, on the grill. It’s great stuffed with herbs and rubbed with olive oil and salt, finished with a healthy squeeze of lemon. Davy likes it served with tomatoey clams and their broth. When it’s served whole, it maintains an extra essence and flavor, but the fillets are deliciously delicate and tasty too.