Little Fish, the new restaurant from the owners of Montauk’s beloved 668 The Gig Shack, has opened in Southold.
The restaurant, which overlooks the Long Island Sound at Kenney’s Beach, is in the completely renovated space that once occupied Elbow East. A bright new coat of paint — both inside and out — pops with bold colors, the exterior accented with a green trim and the interior awash with blues and yellows, greens and pinks, all inspired by the gorgeous sunsets at Kenney’s. It’s light and airy and bursting with potential.
“This is a family affair, just like our Montauk restaurant,” said owner Arden Gardell, who has been developing the restaurant with his mother, Tracey. The Gardells are taking a gradual and steady approach to Little Fish, opting for an off-season soft launch so they can get their bearings, staff up and to get to know the community.
Little Fish is an adaptation of the Gig Shack concept: seafood that is eclectic and coastal. The menu is still in development and will contain a mix of favorites from the Montauk restaurant like fish tacos alongside new creations and colorful, flavorful cocktails.
“It’s going to be approachable, recognizable but inspired coastal cuisine,” Gardell said. “It’s going to be an amalgam of fresh and delicious dishes that are tied to a sense of place and environment.”
“And it’s going to be fun!” his mother, Tracey added.
Joining the Gardells is chef Ryan Barth-Dwyer, who is no stranger to North Fork restaurants. Earlier this year, Barth-Dwyer was the chef de cuisine at the new Gallery Cafe and reimagined Kontiki in Greenport.
“It’s a transition,” said Barth-Dwyer of moving to Little Fish. Barth-Dwyer is going to slowly introduce some of his Mediterranean-inspired cooking into the menu.
The soft opening means that a lot of details are still being ironed out, but the Gardells hope the next few months will be an opportunity to see what works and what doesn’t, and most importantly get to know their customers.
“We want the community to know, we’re really opening this restaurant for them,” Tracey said.
Check out Little Fish (50 North Sea Drive, Southold) on Instagram for hours and updates.
