Meet Westlake’s Award-Winning Chef Larry Kolar
Larry Kolar is back at the helm of Westlake Fish House for the restaurant’s second year at The End. True to its name, Westlake Fish House focuses on fresh, local seafood. No surprise then that if Kolar had two forks in his hand right now, he’d stick them into “local tilefish scampi with asparagus. As it happens I have it on my opening menu.” Kolar returns to Dan’s Taste of Two Forks on Saturday, July 18. Here, he talks about what it means to be local and the best part of being a part of local culinary culture.
What are you most looking forward to about being part of Dan’s Taste of Two Forks this year?
Showcasing the abundance of natural resources
One food or dish that everyone should try at least once in life:
Westlake’s Fluke Ceviche
Best pairing of food and local wine?
A North Fork Sauvignon Blanc and anything from our waters, simply grilled with a squirt of lemon, drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and fresh thyme.
If you were to eat at your restaurant as a guest, what would you order?
[I’d] start off with a Westlake roll then have Monkfish Udon and finish with Lemon Blueberry Crunch.
What drew you to work on the East End?
My wife Jessa and her family in New Suffolk showing me around. I never knew there was such an abundance of resources out here.
The perfect drink for a summer night:
Depends on the night and who is around. If it’s family, a North Fork Sauv Blanc. If it is between the end of June and Labor Day, tequila on the rocks. No wait, I really don’t need the ice.
Food that defines and East End summer:
Spring to early summer, monkfish, cod. Then squid when they come back…fluke, sea bass, striped bass, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi. It takes a while for the produce to get started, but when it does it is almost an overwhelming selection.
If you had two forks in your hands right now, what would you stick them in?
Local Tilefish Scampi with Asparagus. As it happens I have it on my opening menu.
Favorite East End-inspired meal?
Grilled fish with local vegetables
What is your favorite aspect of being part of the local culinary culture?
Bringing guests out of New York, and [all over], and showing them around—like my wife did [with me] years ago.
Where do you find inspiration?
Nature
If you were to pack a meal for the beach, what are three things you’d bring?
With my twin boys, just turned eight, local peaches, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and jelly.
A great meal always begins with…
Favorite people to enjoy it with
Dan’s Taste of Summer kicks off with Dan’s GrillHampton on Friday, July 17, and continues on Saturday, July 18, with Dan’s Taste of Two Forks, both at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Dan’s Harvest East End, the can’t-miss food and wine classic, rounds out the trio of events on August 22 in Cutchogue. For more information on all three events, including tickets and VIP packages, visit DansTaste.com.
Westlake Fish House is located at 352 West Lake Drive, Montauk. For more info, visit
westlakefishhouse.com or call 631-668-3474.