Against my better judgment, I decided to do a review of the new Ketch Grill & Taps on Shelter Island Drive. For those of you that are not sure where it is located, it is where Red Sails used to be.
Their “soft opening” was only a few days ago and I try to wait at least three months before doing a review of a new restaurant, but five different people called me and asked if I was going to do it soon so decided that if it was no good, or lacking something, I would not write it up and try again.
Well, I will “try again,” but not because it was lacking anything. In fact, it was very good.
From the moment that Jo, Sandy and I walked in and were greeted by two delightful hostesses, to the time we left – again wishing us a wonderful day by the same hostesses – it was a wonderful experience. 
We had our choice of eating inside or outside, and we chose an outside table. It was not particularly warm – and it was not particularly cold – and our table in the sunlight was very comfortable. (I wondered if during the really hot weather umbrellas would be available, but it was not necessary today.)
Kari, our server, was friendly and took our drink order almost before we sat down. We ordered either ice tea or lemonade, but the Ketch brews their own beer and the draft menu lists 18 brews plus five bottle/cans, which was intriguing.
Their wine menu, either by the glass or bottle, listed 15 items. Even their cocktail menu, listing eight specialties was interesting, and during happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. there is $2 off drafts, $1 off glasses of wine, and $2 off their cocktails.
The menu itself is divided into four areas – “cold stuff,” “hot bar,” “land and sea,” and “Ketchy sides.” Sandy ordered Lala’s kale and karro salad, which was made with baby kale, faro, butternut squash, goat cheese, cucumber, Marcona almonds, garden raisins and served with a honey-truffle vinaigrette. The cost was $8.
Jo ordered the Ketch tuna melt. It had lightly smoked tuna, jack cheese and fresh tomatoes and was served on lightly griddled sourdough. She had her choice of the “daily green” or “hand-cut” fries. She chose the fries. The price was $14.
I ordered the IPA battered local fish and chips, because I usually compare this to other fish and chip restaurants. It was served with malt aioli sauce and served over house-cut fries. The cost was $15.
We raved about our food. The salad was crisp; the baby kale was flavorable; the dressing was not too wet and complemented the ingredients well.
For someone that doesn’t really care for smoked tuna, Jo said this tuna was excellent. The jack cheese and tomatoes were in the right proportion and she remarked that the griddled sourdough was soft enough that it was easy to eat. She also said that there were capers in the tuna and a nice addition to the flavor. She would order it again. Like mine, the “hand-cut” fries were hot and tasty.
The fish that I ordered was cooked perfectly. Not breaded too much; hot when served, and the three pieces were so much that I took half of it home.
We had non-ending drinks. As soon as a glass was empty it was refilled. I never realized how hard it is to drink lemonade without a straw, but the restaurant is following the new law of no straws unless asked for.
It should be noted that our meals were served on metal trays. The bill was placed on a metal tray and a fishing weight was used to keep the bill from blowing away. That was unique, but I have to say that when the tray was placed on the table and the sun rays hit it it blinded me and I had to have Sandy move it out of the sun.
Although there are not gluten free items on the menu at this time, I was told that they can make some items without gluten if you tell the server that is what you want. There are vegetarian items also available.
We spent a few minutes talking to Brittany, the manager, and she, like the other staff, was delightful. We told her we’d be back, and soon. So even though they have only been open a very short time, they seem to have it all together. A fun lunch was had by all of us. Ketch Grill & Taps
2614 Shelter Island Drive
Open at 7 a.m. Wednesdays through Sundays for breakfast; and lunch and dinner are served daily beginning at 11 a.m.
ketchgrillandtaps.com, 619-814-8080