Inside Montauk: Lavae McClinnahan’s Fine Dining Oasis in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, long celebrated for its relaxed, surf-town charm, is experiencing a culinary renaissance. At the heart of this transformation is Montauk, a fine-dining and jazz supper club that is quickly becoming the South Bay’s most talked-about hotspot.

Stepping through the doors of Montauk, the vibe is instantly elevated. It feels as though you have stepped back in time into a vibrant restaurant in the middle of the Harlem Renaissance, a mood set not just by the meticulously curated music, but by the undeniable energy of the room. The lighting strikes a perfect balance: bright enough to make out the faces across the table, yet dark enough to maintain an intimate, moody atmosphere.

At their respective tables, guests are fully engaged, some laughing and enjoying a celebratory night out, while others are deep in thought-provoking discussions. The space is unapologetically sophisticated, boasting a very Ralph Lauren aesthetic that feels both classic and highly curated.

The culinary and beverage programs match the impeccable vibe. The drinks are crafted to perfection, and if you are looking for a menu recommendation, the sea bass is an absolute must-try and an instant favorite.

Founded by music industry veteran and luxury branding expert Lavae McClinnahan, Montauk merges this elevated coastal dining experience with a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

The inspiration for Montauk comes deeply rooted in McClinnahan’s personal lifestyle and his tenure in the luxury goods space, having designed curated dining concepts for high-end spirit brands like The Macallan, The Dalmore, and Pappy Van Winkle.

“When I was building this, everything I was doing, I was thinking about what I like… this is what I want to look like, this is what I want to feel like,” McClinnahan shared in an exclusive interview with The Quintessential Gentleman.

Aesthetically, the restaurant draws heavy inspiration from the timeless elegance of Ralph Lauren. “I wanted to look like you walking into one of their stores,” McClinnahan explains, noting that his team specifically sourced decor to match that distinct sophistication.

However, despite its luxurious appearance, McClinnahan emphasizes that Montauk is centered around “affordable luxury”.

“My whole concept for affordable luxury was have a really, really nice place, but also the price point be the same as everyone else,” he says. “It’s like all the aesthetics when you walk in here, you feel like you in a whole different world… you feel like you’re in New York, Chicago… or in the Hamptons”.

Redondo Beach has an unofficial uniform of trucker hats, board shorts, and flip-flops, a casual standard that Montauk actively pushes against. To maintain the upscale atmosphere, McClinnahan implemented a strict dress code that initially caught some locals off guard.

The policy eliminates items like trucker hats, ball caps, board shorts, flip flops, political attire, and excessive cleavage.

“We didn’t do it to offend people,” McClinnahan clarifies. “We did it because we knew if we keep this vibe, it’s going to cause problems later on.”

Despite the initial pushback, the dress code has ultimately become a massive draw. “We get thanked for it all the time,” McClinnahan notes. “We have a lot of high profile individuals that come here, law enforcement, political, entertainers. They love it. They love the vibe… and they tell us to stick by it.”

A standout feature of Montauk is The Den, marking the first-ever dedicated jazz lounge in the Redondo Beach territory.

Drawing on his experience in the music industry, having previously opened three recording studios in Las Vegas that hosted icons like Michael Jackson and Gerald Levert, McClinnahan was determined to bring premium, live entertainment to the area.

“I told my guys that I don’t want any of the cover bands in here,” he says, pushing back against the area’s norm of classic rock cover bands. Instead, The Den features world-class talent sourced by McClinnahan and his music director, Al Strong. The venue has already hosted incredible acts like Elijah Fox, Javier Santiago, and Alexi Lombre.

The music experience extends to the dining room as well. Rather than using generic background music programs, Montauk boasts a meticulously curated playlist. “I got to hear Sade up here. I got to hear Anita Baker up here… I got to hear Miles Davis,” McClinnahan says. “We get huge compliments from our playlist… anywhere else they go, it’s dum dum dum dum… and they’re turning up loud… That’s just not who we are.”

Bringing a fine-dining establishment to Redondo Beach, an area with a very small Black demographic, has not been without its challenges. As a Black entrepreneur, McClinnahan acknowledges the friction of disrupting the status quo.

Montauk is just the beginning for McClinnahan’s brand, Peninsula Hospitality Concepts. He is already working on an aggressive expansion, with plans to open a jazz supper club called Nantucket in Long Beach, and a concept called The Fitzgerald in Charlotte, North Carolina.

But for now, Montauk remains the crown jewel of the South Bay. By mixing coastal charm, Ralph Lauren-inspired elegance, and world-class jazz, Lavae McClinnahan hasn’t just opened a restaurant; he has successfully created an entirely new lifestyle destination for Los Angeles.

Check out the full interview.

The post Inside Montauk: Lavae McClinnahan’s Fine Dining Oasis in Redondo Beach appeared first on The Quintessential Gentleman.