Montlake Cut Reviews

This new, small, seafood restaurant is arguably the best seafood place in Dallas. Built around a Seattle theme (where the fish and seafood are super), the variety at Montlake is ample. Our group of four tried several dishes. All excellent. Oysters are tops.Service is professional. Prices fair. It is noisy.....go early.

Always been a fan of nick's Neighborhood Service & was curious to see his seafood version. Every kind of ouster from the east & west coast are available. Main courses we sampled included fish & chips, ahi tuna, king salmon & heaven forbid even a steak. All were done simply & to perfection. Our son a regular at the former restaurant inquired if the famous Voodoo sauce was available & indeed it was. Try it on your meat or fries or cereal the next day. Menus not only change often but twice a day to insure your catch is as fresh as possible. My wife was u decided between the king salmon & another dish to which the waiter suggested for the salmon as it had a very limited run & would not be seen again. He was right, it was delicious. Being the last table to leave, my son was given the remaining voodoo sauce with his doggy bag & will probably have it for breakfast!

My husband and I tried Montlake cut a few weeks after it opened. When you walk into the restaurant there is a great U-shaped bar that has lots of bar seating. The nautical theme is very apparent in the restaurant and it makes you feel like you are eating at a very homey seaside fish shack where you know the food will be delicious - and it was! The oyster selection is wonderful. I husband and I had the chef's choice dozen. We also tried the charred octopus which had interesting flavors but was amazingly tender. For entrees he had the swordfish topped with crab and I tried the pearl cous cous with king crab. Both of them were out of this world! Ask to sit in the back if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle by the bar. Not five stars because you could tell they were still working out a few kinks, but we will definitely be back!

Best place for oysters in Dallas. Tucked away and hard to find, but there seems to always be a crowd here. I've dined here about 4 times and every one was delicious.

My last visit to Montlake Cut reveled issues with their wine service that restaurant that is this expensive should not have. First, the glass of sparkling wine (a Cremant) that I ordered before the meal started was flat (no bubbles). I told the waiter to replace it with a glass from a freshly opened bottle, which he did. The Chablis I order to go with dinner was not the vintage advertised on the menu. That mistake is easier for me to accept for wine that is under $50 a bottle, but most of the wine on their menu is well north of that. Why bother to list vintages if they are not accurate. When it came time for dessert, I asked what dessert wines they had. Answer - none. They have a large full bar, yet they didn't carry a single port, sherry, lemoncello, sauternes, madera, nothing! The food is generally very good, but the wine program is not what it should be.

For lunch, two of us ordered the mussels in wine, spicy ahi tartare and the chopped salad. We found the mussels too salty, so we ordered the soft scrambled egg and smoked salmon to replace it. The ahi tartare was delicious, with a salsa sort of spiciness. The texture was very nice, but the sauce had so much flavor I'm not sure we got much added from the tuna. Still, a nice dish. The chopped salad was a very good one, but nothing special. The scrambled egg and smoked salmon dish was unexpected. I'd assumed the salmon would be hot smoked and mixed into the egg, but the entire dish was sort of deconstructed, and the salmon seemed to be a cold smoked lox. The egg was very nicely cooked, and the salmon was plentiful and delicious. The cottage cheese on the side was a pleasant touch, along with the dressed greens. All the food was good, and the waitress was very good, also, but for the money I don't think I'd return for lunch. Maybe I'd try dinner and more interesting dishes if I had friends who wanted to go.

Clandestine date with my much better half. She picked from a list of places "on our list" and we landed here on a very warm summer eve. Fresh fish you say? Bring it. Well beyond the buzz stage by now - Super friendly and welcoming - it has the feel of a neighborhood joint with repeat clients occupying most every table by the time we left after an early meal. A bit of a shotgun building/location with a major bar with cutesy boat seat bar stools. Clearly a place where you need to have a table reservation -- or go fish at the bar if your party is small/spontaneous on a weekend night. Service very good - friendly but not overly friendly, team style delivery of drinks, apps, meal, coffee etc. Super fresh selection of oysters (all from northeast it seemed) including a chef selection dozen. Opted for 3 varieties - which came with three sauces followed by a really nice lemony/acidity just in check chevice. Fish selection good if not endless - prep style is only pan seared - to medium doneness unless otherwise requested. Sides a la carte with a couple of cute items/options. Nice char on the asparagus - served just al dente. Halibut and Bluefin were spot on - likely i will order medium rare next time. Accompaying sauces were homemade and delicious. Wine/drink selection creative and reasonably priced. Too full for dessert - we opted for coffee and rest of a $40 bottle of pinot grio for a nice night out. Have not found better seafood in dallas. Note - there is a cheeseburger and a single steak also for those in your party that have to swim upstream/in a school by themselves.

We made an early rez and had a very good table up front. The service was great - warm, friendly staff and we beat the crush of what was a much more crowded place when we left. It was just the Wife and I on a date. Again, the waiter was familiar with the menu and specials but we opted for three small plates and the blackened Redfish. All were very good - the Drunken mussels were plentiful, cooked correctly and well seasoned. The oysters were top notch and the fried rice was excellent. Dessert was the key lime parfait which we devoured even after what was a full meal. No real reason not to give five stars but rarely give it to what is not a meal where the value is higher. Would most definitely go back and take friends. No tables for more than six which probably helps the management of table flow. You should try it out if seafood, good seafood is what you crave.

It was a highly anticipated visit with my wife. I've been reading about the great west-coast oysters. It's a great room, nice ambiance and lighting. Our server arrives, I order, and they don't have any. The good news is that the variety of east-coasters were excellent. I order a glass of my favorite Pinot that is impossible to find. Yeah! it comes out warm in a warm glass. Wife orders the clam chowder and is underwhelmed. I order the tartar "New England Style." It's like a beef poke, which is fine, but it is borderline returned for the saltiness. Last point is that the drink prices are a bit rich. On a positive note the service was excellent as was every staff interaction. I'll give it another try but I'll call ahead and check on those oysters.

It is a great, small restaurant with a neighborhood feel although the food is anything but small town. There is a great selection of fresh seafood and the service is vert attentive. We tried the hamachi appetizer (light and extremely flavorful), the fried shrimp (some of the best we have ever had...a yummy tempera batter), the steelhead trout special and scallops from the standard menu. Everything we had was fresh and perfectly prepared. The shells a cheese was certainly cheesy so be ready! We will definitely return again and recommend anyone who appreciates an excellent seafood meal to give it a try.

Montlake Cut was my choice for my 47th Anniversary Dinner. I was told it was outstanding, so I took a chance based on the recommendation. We were not disappointed. The service was attentive and friendly. The menu is small but what they have is excellently prepared and presented. The fish is flown in fresh everyday. I had the halibut and my wife had the fresh hook caught salmon. Both were excellent. The wine list is reasonable and compliments the various menu selections. This will be on my go to list for seafood in Dallas.

This is from the same people who brought you Neighborhood Services; an homage to his upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. There are oysters, small cold preps, small warm preps, and big fish dishes. There are also some meat dishes, but you don't come to a seafood place and order a steak. We had 2 rounds of oysters, followed by a crudo. The King crab fried rice was a yummy spicy (but not overly so) bite. My main was a lovely flounder Milanese with buerre blanc. Dessert was a chocolate pot du creme topped with an amazingly thick whipped cream.

I wanted so to write a great review of the relatively new restaurant in Dallas. In fact, I was contemplating the adjectives I was going to use as I drove up. However, such will not be the case, sadly. It was my mother's birthday and had 7 pm reservations. The hostess knew of the occasion and politely informed me there would be a slight delay...no worries, as it is a new place. We were seated at 7:20 and again, not an issue. However, we were taken to an area of the restaurant that looked like an "after thought". It was a 4 top wooden table book-ended by 2 two tops, permanently installed. This area does not have the lovely white table clothes the other "grown up tables" get; no, our table was re pleat with a paper place mat (think Gulf Coast fish shack serving the fried "captains platter"). I blame myself somewhat for accepting this table but knew the wait for the nice area would take some time. Obviously, atmosphere is a part and nice dining and therefore the meal, which was lovely, is overshadowed by a "red headed step child" feeling. It was a disappointment and that's a shame. If you go, DON'T LET THEM SIT YOU AT THE "KIDS TABLES". I would suggest Oceanaire restaurant as a suitable substitution for Montlake Cut--all their table are the same!

Last night was our first time to Montlake Cut and it won't be our last. We had a great experience from start to finish. The decor is refreshing, light and coastal. It was a little noisy but it seems all the new restaurants are. Our waiter was well versed in the menu and had a great personality as did all the staff we met. We started with the Dungeness Crab Avocado and the Clam Chowder which we both terrific. Then we had the Sole Milanese, the fried shrimp and the King Crab fried rice. The servings were large and we took some of our meal home. Everything was flawlessly prepared. A warning, the rice is very spicy so if you don't like hot spicy food, it's not for you. We had a lovely Pinot Noir to drink. We skipped dessert but hopefully next visit we will have room. We did not have them but the soft shell crab tacos at the table next to us looked devine. We will be back soon, this is a great addition to the seafood scene in Dallas. They do have a few meat entrees on the menu for those non seafood lovers.

Pleasant space, great staff, super nostalgia from the PNW throughout. Good wine list, but pricey. Food was pricey too and portions must have been weighed out. Coupled with poor execution and preparation, it was a Seattle drizzle. Wedge salad was smallest ever seen and overloaded with dressing. The sliced grape tomatoes in the salad were straight out of the chiller and added nothing in that condition. Mussels had a great briny taste, but the overload of garlic in the broth didn’t complement. Bread served with the Mussels was just OK, but too soft to keep from disintegrating in the broth during a good dunk. Serious grit in several mussels and broken shell on another did not indicate the attention to detail that should be expected at this price point.

This has been a favorite of ours but we had not been there for some time. Met up with a couple and the restaurant did not disappoint. Food was good (although one dish was overcooked). The good news --- the server swooped it up and sent it back for a second try, which came out perfect. The cod special was heartier than expected but delicious. My fish and chips were pretty terrific. A lighter hand overall would be beneficial (fries were a tad overcooked as well) but nothing to complain about. The woman who seated us did the very best she could to accommodate our request for an option that would not be loud. When a part of eight VERY LOUD people showed up at the first table she began to seat us at, she swooped us up and moved us to something much less 'sports bar.' The compensatory desserts at the end, though not needed, were greatly appreciated. Kudos to our server Brendan for being patient with us and really doing a superb job of taking care of us with a smile on his face the whole time. We'll be back!

I have eaten at Montlake Cut a couple of times now, and it's a great riff on a Seattle seafood restaurant. You walk in, smack into the bar, and the Seattle/marine décor is everywhere. The bar fills the front of the room, and the tables line one side, with more seating in the back. It's very much a neighborhood place, and we ran into various friends and family(!) during our visit We were a gathering of long-time close friends. Our server was very solicitous and quick to refill drinks and take orders. He dropped the required goldfish on the table. The food follows the Seattle seafood theme, with various crab and fish dishes. We started with the excellent crab dip, a great dish to share. We then all split up. I ordered the poke, with large chunks of tuna over rice, seaweed salad and other ingredients--a nice mix of flavors and textures. The sole meuniere was also excellent. We ordered crab fried rice to share (nicely rich, a great addition), along with really nicely prepared brussels sprouts. For dessert we tried a series of dishes, including the key lime, the banana split and a nice chocolate mousse. All were tasty and somewhat unique, if not large. There are various wines and beers on tap, with interesting choices. It's nice to find a place with a specific point of view--excellent seafood and sides. My only beef with Montlake Cut is cost--you can spend a lot of money, especially if you are planning to eat a lot of oysters.

My wife and I are big fans of the NHS restaurants so we were anxious to try Montlake. The restaurant location has been the site of several failed eating establishments most recently seafood. Parking is inconvenient as there was no valet service or dedicated parking lot. There is a gym across the street so make sure you request a table in the back of the restaurant to avoid watching a bunch of sweaty bodies on treadmills and the bar noise adjacent to the front five tables. Admittedly, I'm not a big fan of seafood restaurants especially in Dallas but will eagerly order fish if it is a Gulf variety I can reasonably be assured of water-to-table within 3 days. I was disappointed to find none offered! I was also surprised by the lack of "grilled" fish offerings. The non-seafood menu items were very uninspired which was a surprise since the NHS restaurants thrive in this category? The service was uneven given the length of time opened and access to the training resources that could have been utilized from sister NHS facilities. Doubtful if we will have a return visit.

This place is over-hyped and way overpriced. I made reservations for Christmas Eve about a month in advance. It's a small place and they still managed to seat us in Siberia. Pretty much the tiniest table in the farthest reaches in the back. I have no idea what was going on in the rest of the place. Oh, and I slid my way to the table because the floors are weirdly slick. A woman at a table near us nearly fell on her way out. We were greeted warmly when we got there and everyone was nice. But there was something very lackluster about it all. I thought the little dish of goldfish they brought was cute, but then it got weird when it was whisked away by some random server - not ours! - while I was about to reach for another one. We started with cocktails - Ghost Dog and Central Standard Thyme - both good. Then we got the King crab fried rice because all the reviews RAVE about it. The rice was an interesting risotto-like preparation followed by a fry, so there were some good crispy bits in there. BUT, the small amount of crab was utterly tasteless and everything was overpowered by the soy and chili, among other flavors all competing for attention. Did other reviewers get a different dish than we did? $22 wasted. Hubby got the Ecuadoran Mahi-Mahi, which was an odd-shaped piece. Our server (never caught her name because she talked very quietly) asked him if it being served medium would be fine, which he said it was. But the whole thing was well past medium. The thicker bit was moist but the other thinner piece was dry as a bone. Unfortunately our server couldn't be bothered to refill our (TINY) water glasses at any time so he was struggling to choke it down. She only refilled his glass once, but only after he asked. After that we didn't ask and instead just got it ourselves, as it was on a table right behind us. I got the Sole Milanese, which actually was quite nice. A good sized piece, which retained its moistness even though it was in a nicely crisp buttery breading. The sauce that came on the side was lovely, and the little arugula salad plopped on top of the fish was good. We also got a side of stir-fried Brussels sprouts, which was quite good - probably the hit of the meal. For dessert the hubby got a mango sherbet and I got the rum cake, which was delish and very, very rich. Probably a dessert best shared. We called it quits after that and were slip sliding our way back out, sorely disappointed.

Have now been there twice in the span of 3 weeks. Outstanding on both occasions...it's as if the place has been open for years...terrific crowds, attentive staff, perfectly executed menu with a cape cod ambience. The chowder was Boston quality, the fresh fish selections were both fresh and cooked with a light touch. Great wine list with interesting 'by the glass' selections. The best bet for MC is to take a group of 6 in order to enjoy the greatest number of dishes from one of Dallas' best proprietors.

Not cheap, if you're cool with that and like seafood and/or Seattle you will love this place. Large menu, tons of fresh fish items. Typical creative menu for a nick badovinus restaurant plus cute NW decor. Great service, must have the crab fried rice it was so good I had a bite of in the shared app then ordered for my meal. Wife loved sea bass tacos, friends loved sole, it was like a fish schnitzel if you can imagine that. Simply one of the best new restaurants in Dallas. Super small so get a reservation.

Went with friends and had a great meal, friendly service and a comfortable atmosphere. Parking can be a challenge.

This tight little dinner spot is a local overnight favorite. The fish has always been the draw. It is good and well prepared. There are several standard offerings supplemented by a special or two. I like the sword fish and the scallops. My wife prefers the fish tacos especially when they are made with halibut. The Dr. Pepper Old Fashion is my go to pre-dinner cocktail. Be sure to make reservations because it is always crowded. Even the bar seating is typically spoken for. And don't be afraid to take the kitchen bar in the back. It is surprisingly comfortable and you have the added benefit of watching the kitchen staff do their magic.

This restaurant is first rate. Park Cities location is very convenient, food was awesome and service exceptional! The Poke Bowl and Scallops were perfect. Highly recommend?

The atmosphere for a small place is very nice. The service is superb. Our waiter explained everything so well and made the experience even more special. The raw oysters are delicious. The salmon incredible. Dessert good too. Can't say enough good things about. Will definitely go back. Bravo!!!

A quirky small place with outstanding food. The fish and chips used halibut, so I knew I was in good hands. Server was excellent and knew all details of the menu (my wife had real celiac disease, not the trendy, fake gluten intolerance). She even offered that the chefs could make a gluten-free sauce. Decor is Seattle + fishing + water. But my favorite was the mac and cheese served in a small tub perfectly cooked, creamy (used cream!) goodness, toasted cheesy perfection. It's better than dessert. It's better than any mac and cheese that I have ever had. Don't miss it!

Look, I've been eating at Montlake Cut since the first week that it opened and I have been their biggest fan and then I must admit, I soured on the place a bit. Meals were just not as fresh, interesting and flavorful---last night showed me that Nick and his group are back on their A-game and swinging for the fences. We had 6 people in our party and 4 had never stepped inside of the smallish, Seattle-themed restaurant. Everyone was please with their dishes....(oysters, ceviche, coho salmon, halibut, Alaskan King Salmon tacos...and the ridiculously fabulous fish and chips...our sides were the brussel sprouts and the shells and cheese...) tremendous! It's busy, you better call ahead or use open table well in advance to get in. Awesome.

Upbeat, friendly vibe in a neighborhood location. Dined here to celebrate a birthday on a Thursday night. Was very busy. Highly recommend the white salmon and brussel sprouts. Pork chop was huge and came with fries. Service was attentive and well-paced.

So glad to have an excellent seafood restaurant in Dallas again. Very fresh seafood and shellfish. My husband loves oysters and they featured east and west coast oysters called Nick's Picks. I had some of the best wild Indian salmon that I have ever tasted. The crab and avocado salad is also very good. Dessert was fine but not in the same category as the seafood dishes. They have a nice wine list that has both Old and New world wines. Overall prices are fairly high for the oysters and entrees but the quality is excellent. We will return soon!

Although I have been to Seattle several times, I cannot speak as an expert. However, after lunch at this restaurant I feel as if I were a Seattlean, I would find this eatery like a trip home, sans water venues. The bones of previous restaurant are here, but décor has been provided to make this a homey, driftwoody retreat---truly a Seattle neighborhood bar. But the food was great. Shared calarami with orange and chirozzo - a treat. Fish sandwich excellent as well as fresh fish entrée. The thing that made this visit really special was the bartendress, Jenna, who knew the answer to every queston we asked, be it about wine, origin of fish, or sauces. She was great! And she was enthusiastic about the chef as well as the ownership organization. This was a wonderful lunch. Only negative was loud-mouthed woman at end of bar.

This lovely slice of seafood heaven is a welcome addition to Dallas dining. The dining room decorated by the owner/chef is wonderfully nautical and fun. The food is perfectly prepared fresh seafood such as oysters, avocado stuffed crabmeat, and seasonal fish. Appetizers such as tuna tartare and sashimi are wonderfully simple but delicious. There are a couple of meat items for those not enamored with seafood but the main draw is the perfectly prepared seafood that is among the best in Dallas.

Montlake Cut is the perfect neighborhood restaurant - cozy atmosphere, fresh delicious seafood, terrific bar up front, and a small chef's bar at the back, and friendly, helpful wait staff, as well as an extensive wine list by both glass and bottle. It is also reasonably priced. My only hesitation in posting a review is out of fear that MC will become even more popular, and we won't be able to get a seat at the bar on our next visit.

We tried this place on New Years Eve, which turned out to be a great experience. Its not a fancy place. It feels like one of those fish market restaurants that you would see in San Diego or Nantucket. Its more of an intimate place than Town Hearth (one of his others), about the size of Neighborhood Services. There is a bar that you can grab a quick meal if you don't want to wait for a table as well. The food was exceptional. We had the Wedge Salad and the Chopped Ahi to start and both were really good. The Ahi is a bit spicy with seaweed on top, chopped very fine (Like you would see on a Ahi Tower). For the main course, we got the Sole Milanese, which honestly could have been the best piece(s) of fish I've had in several years. It blows away Eddie V's, Ocean Prime and TJ's. They fly their fish in twice per day so its crazy fresh. The wine list is short, but reasonable. We had the Flowers Pinot, which at $100 is a good choice. The dessert was a complete surprise, we were full so really didn't want it, but they brought it to us anyway. We had the Bourbon Bundt Cake, wow...that was something. Its crispy on the outside, but infused with liquor. Just the right size to share. The service was efficient, there when he should be and leaves you alone so you can talk. Overall, a very well delivered meal that lived up to the hype. We will definitely be back. .

Had a couple very nice drinks at the bar waiting for a table and the bartender Kyle was better than terrific with product knowledge-I had craft beers my wife had bubbly. Dinner with Nicki as our server was also terrific, she was excellent with knowledge and personality, food was fast enough for this kind of casual but first rate menu. Some of the raw fish items, crab rice should not be missed. You have to ask for bread-but its pretty nice on arrival. Good wines by the glass and a nice and smart wine list. Good atmosphere. Would highly recommend and would go back

We started dinner with a baker's dozen of chef-selected raw oysters called Nick's Picks. That turned out to be a good move. We each had different fish entrees, and they were delicious. A little expensive, but the food and atmosphere are excellent.

Tastefully decorated and quaint little restaurant with that coastal feel. We were sure to try this place out as we love Neighborhood Services. Everyone was hospitable, the service was fantastic but we were blown away by our choices. We started with the Sweet Petite oysters which were awesome! We then moved to a family style dinner where we had Branzino with a brown butter tomato on the side, seafood pasta, Brussel sprouts, asparagus, and fried rice (I know, right?) I don't know what my favorite was because everything was absolutely stunning. Kudos to everyone involved in pulling this beauty off! We can't wait to go back!

Dallas diners have not had many good choices for seafood the past couple of years, but Montlake Cut just cleared that up. This is our new favorite for special occasion seafood. It's a significant step above most others in the city and well worth the effort to seek it out. We had oysters, ceviche, crab fried rice, sole and poke. There was not a single dish where we left a bit of food on the plate! Every dish was fantastic! Our server was very helpful and made personal recommendations that turned out to be excellent advice. We were totally pleased with our experience and won't hesitate to come back and recommend it to friends.

Across the board mediocre food, lackluster service, apathetic atmosphere and a polished concrete ice rink for flooring...all of this on our Wedding Anniversary celebration and Christmas Eve 2016 (combined)!! Upon entry from a damp exterior, my wife lost her footing on this RIDICULOUSLY slippery polished concrete flooring, which in turn by saving her, I, too, lost my footing. Fortunately, neither of us fell, which was more luck than anything else. We, were greeted, the hostess confirmed our booking and acknowledged our Annirversary. We then handed over to our waitress (Allison, who's name we found on our receipt, as she never actually introduced herself to us!!) Now Montlake is a small venue, yet we still managed to be given the furthest-most seats in a distant corner away from most of the guests. After serving us with water (no ice...PET PEEVE) She then proceeded to run through the menu, not really up to speed on describing some of the sauces that accompanied dishes. So, we then ordered for appetizer the king crab fried rice. This is a dish with proportions enough for two to share, unfortunately, the King Crab (though visible occasionally) was completely tasteless, the rice was somewhat overcooked (appeared to be a type of arborio rice, which was NOT in keeping with the premise of the meal) however, it delivered flavor, but too many ingredients were competing against with each other and the loser was the King Crab!!...Cost $22, Honestly $15 too much. For entrees my wife ordered the much raved about Sole Milenese and I requested the Equadorian Mahi Mahi. Feedback from my wife was that her meal was satisfactory, I tasted it and found it simply lacking in seasoning and overpowered by the brown butter from frying. Cost $27...$10 too much. The Mahi Mahi was disappointing, I was asked if I would like it cooked medium, to which I agreed (as I do like my Mahi Mahi pinkish). The dish arrived, the fish was 3 inches x 3 inches, but 1 inch thick at one end to 1/4 inch to the other. The 1 inch side was overcooked to well, yet still edible, the other side was inedible, even after drinking water, i was unable to initially swallow. Unseasoned and a terrible waste of a good fish. Cost $26...$26 too much!! (Simply due to it being our Anniversary and also Christmas Eve, I was in the mood to complain or create a scene...which believe me, i have no problem doing normally!) We added a side of Brussell sprouts, which were the BEST thing we ate that night!! Cost $9.00...$4.00 too much! After a cocktail each and dessert we called it quits and left, and slid our way back to the front of the restaurant. Total bill $128.82 (inc taxes) After reading so many great review...HUGE DISAPPOINTMNENT!

This restaurant is quite small, tucked away in Preston Center, tables no larger than 6. It is a little noisy, but tolerable.It has a seafood coastal decor. The service is excellent. The menu has a large variety of mussels, a New England base clam chowder and influences from both Washington state, were it originated, and the East Coast. My friend and I ordered the fish tacos, which had the option of mahi, red snapper or shrimp, The mahi was outstanding as was the other options and the presentation was excellent. For dessert, we shared a key lime parfait and is was out of this world. We all could have eaten a whole one. The top consisted of a layer of creme brûlée as well as a thin crusting of cinnamon. Will definitely return.

Small seafood restaurant in Preston Center. No valet parking but decent lot nearby. Small inside but great vibe and menu. The poke as well as the crab pasta were both excellent. The vast oyster menu was impressive as I didn’t know there where so many types. (Our waiter, George, helped guide us thru the selection). From the goldfish crackers when you sit down to the Swedish fish treat as you leave, this is a great seafood spot.

This was my second visit to this intimate Seattle themed Montlake Cut, for a relative's special birthday, and we couldn't have been more satisfied, despite slightly slow kitchen delivery of the entrees and one server slip up (which he more than made up for without our asking). We started with the ceviche "du jour" (quotations added), an amazingly flavorful salmon easiy shareable among 3 - 4 persons. My spouse and I shared a wedge salad with bleu cheese dressing that was cold, crisp and tasty. I had scallops, perfectly cooked and more filling than the portion size would have you believe -- 4 healthy scallops. Loved the slightly sweet sauce. The Milanese entree was a large portion, lightly breaded and oh so wonderful. Side dishes of grilled thin asparagus and sea salted fries were awesome! In honor of the special occasion, our server brought us a complimentary sizable slice of incredibly tasting rum cake for the 4 of us to share. The only slip up was that the server forgot to put in the side dishes we had ordered, and they were delayed in being delivered to the table, to accompany the main dishes. Sensing some frustration on our part, he more than made up for the mistake by arranging (with his manager no doubt) for our glasses of wine to also be "on the house". What a nice gesture (and thus no loss of a star on this review). Great place just to drop in and sit at the bar, where you'll no doubt be treated to friendly conversation and great pours. I can't wait to return..

While visiting friends in University Park they took us to dinner at one of their favorite neighborhood finds - Montlake cut. Service was attentive and the food fresh and flavorful. The atmosphere lively. The oysters we had as starters tasted delicious. Don't miss the balsamic Brussel sprouts.

Being from Portland, I appreciate fresh fish. We seldom stay away more than a few weeks. Our kids love the fish and chips, burgers, and fried shrimp. My in-laws prefer the fresh catch. My husband and I have tried a mix of things and typically get one of the specials. When they have the branzino wieh brown butter sauce ... get it! It's all amazing! Andrew is fabulous and so is the rest of the staff. Your meal will be consistently outstanding!

A really fine non steak restaurant in Dallas. Being from the Seattle area this was really special. Our family was treated to a really special evening. The ling cod Milanese special was very s. Also cannot say enough about the great bar.pecial. Our on said that the halibut was perfect . The scallops were amazing and the smoked salmon and crab salad was to die for. They do a wonderful presentation on ll of the meals and the service is superb. Cannot say enough about the excellent drinks.

So very glad we made a reservation for this restaurant! It's small and we wouldn't have gotten in on a weekday night otherwise. My New Zealand salmon filet was fabulous -- each rich and flavorful bite was incredibly delicious! My husband had the flown-in-that-day halibut and he ate every flaky morsel. But the best surprise was the macaroni and cheese; a very sophisticated tasting dish bursting with cheesy goodness! We didn't drink wine nor order dessert. This place is a real winner!

All around wonderful eatery for both lunch and dinner. Excellent food, service, setting, and location.

Being from the Pacific Northwest, I have high standards for seafood. I was not disappointed by Montlake Cut. The Willy's Call special was grilled steelhead, which is not a fish that I find very often in Dallas. It was expertly prepared -- very moist and flavorful. Roasted asparagus rounded out the meal, along with their chocolate dessert. Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive. I would highly recommend.

We went to Montlake Saturday night and were very glad we did. The Pacific NW decor and menu is unique to Dallas. The oyster selection was outstanding but very pricey at $3.35 each ... they were excellent. Cocktails were very good, service was great and knowledgeable, portions were good. The mussels were great, fish was fresh, and the rum cake dessert finished off a great night. I highly recommend. It is a little hard to find!

My first two visits to this establishments did not wow me but lunch there yesterday was very nice. The authentic Seattle vibe is fun and both my meal and my partner's were very good. Crispy brussels sprouts and roasted cauliflower sides were especially memorable.

Part of the Neighborhood Services family in which never disappoints! Mountlake is nestled into a small retail center of the Preston Center area of Dallas where albeit small, certainly lively. Reservations are recommended otherwise expect a wait. The manager, Shelby, is one of the best and her staff reflects that as the service is top notch. Owner and Chef Nick knocks it out of the park again with very creative dishes that change daily depending on the freshest fish that can be brought in by plane. Creative menu, GREAT atmosphere and fabulous service. Another home run by Nick!

Visited this weekend and the food was excellent. Small portions, Mains do not come with sides and Expensive

We had heard great things about Montlake Cut and decided to try it out. We have been to the Executive Chef's other restaurant Neighborhood Services and loved it - so high expectations coming in. Montake Cut did not disappoint. A little crowded at first (definitely recommend going mid-week) but the bar opened up quickly where we proceeded to have dinner. We did have a reservation but the bar itself is very cozy with a direct link to a friendly bartender (Kyle) - it was an easy choice to just stay put. Cocktails were great - plenty of beers on tap - we had oysters, clam chowder, and Ahi tuna. All delicious. This is ideal for date night - couples night. Definitely a neighborhood feel as well - very HP friendly. We will go back - Nick and his staff definitely hit a home run here.

The entrees were good, but the establishment should be embarrassed to serve a $20+ tuna appetizer that a person could eat in one bite.

If I return to Dallas, I will certainly visit this restaurant again. I highly recommend the crab fried rice appetizer. It's a shareable portion. The ceviche and ahi tuna was also excellent. I didn't try the burger but it looked delicious. I was also impressed with the selection of oysters. The rum cake for dessert is a must try!

We shared oysters which were great. We had the yellow tail appetizer which had a great presentation and was very good. For dinner we had the Columbia Sturgeon and it was awesome. The service was impeccable with an attentive but not overbearing waiter. We will be back!!

This place would be easy to miss tucked into a corner or Preston Center with an unassuming exterior. Inside it is very charming with a nautical theme. I had dinner here for a closing celebration. The table had several apps all of which were good. The seafood fried rice was outstanding. All at the table ordered seafood and all plates were cleaned! Montlake has tiny desserts on the menu. We tried several and they were a lot of fun. Service was flawless. I understand reservations are tough to come by. Consider sitting at the ample bar and ordering dinner there. On our way out we ran into friends that were doing just that.

My husband, sister and myself went there for dinner on Saturday, April 15th. The food, ambiance, waiter was great! Lots of fun and excellent fish. Chef and Owner from Seattle, Washington. Not cheap, but good!

Business lunch. Iced tea came without ice. Refills without ice also. Service was weak. Chop salad was excellent! I would come back for that. Halibut looked good but was overcooked. Hard to understand how a seafood restaurant can overcook fish. It's not hard to get it right. We had three diners. Two of us ordered fish. Third ordered a sandwich. Sandwich came out five minutes after our plates.

The food and setting at Montlake Cut is tremendous. I've had the arctic char, assortment of oysters, fish tacos, fish & chips, crudo and the cheesy polenta. My favorite has been the fish tacos -- the polenta is also out of this world. Do not miss the assortment of spritzes on the menu.

As always, bakers dozen oysters are superb. I couldn’t decide on enter and told waiter “chef’s choice”. Halibut was pan seared to perfection! Mac and cheese to die for and the Brussels sprouts were wonderful! Love this place for food and service!!!

Had a business dinner at Montlake Cut this week and it was very good. I am a big fan of Nick and his growing family of neighborhood restaurants, which Dallas badly needs. With that said, MC seems to check all the boxes as Nick executes on his playbook: great interior decorating, well trained waitstaff, killer cocktails, and really good food. On that note, we started with a crab dip that was divine and a ceviche that was just OK. I had an amazing piece of salmon and one of my colleagues had a burger made from dry aged meat. He raved about it. All the sides were on point. Eddie V's is no longer my go to spot for seafood.

Everything I have ever eaten here has been excellent. Shelby, the Manager is gracious and accommodating. We go here often and it is always top knotch.

We had a lovely dinner here with clients. The restaurant is small and intimate, the service friendly and flawless, and the food glorious. Wonderful ceviche, oysters, and perfectly prepared fish. The desserts were good too. This was a delightful evening!

Excellent choice of Northwest seafood including selection of 6 type oysters. Waitstaff is superb. Only negative is very loud atmosphere and WWF on television sets.

I got the poke and we shared appetizers. All were made well. Several at the table got the king crab legs and enjoyed them. They offer a very diverse list of fresh seafood

Great lunch please for a quite leisurely lunch. The food is very good and the wine list is diverse. The entire staff are very friendly. Reminds me on Nantucket. Quaintly setting. Great bar too if you are solo and want a quick lunch. Highly recommended.

This is really one restaurant that is hard to rate. My son had his birthday dinner there. To me, it seemed a little over priced. Food was delicious, and service outstanding. I don't like the way choices are to be made. It makes ordering very difficult. Small and loud.

Seattle seafood rustic atmosphere in the heart of Texas. The service is friendly, swift, yet unobtrusive. The food is fresh, attractively presented, and simply succulent. An extensive wine list caters for the gourmet or the cheap and cheerful palate.

My wife and I experienced a very enjoyable lunch for my BD. She had the fish and chips and I had the sole dish. Both very well prepared and taste was great. Waiter was attentive and helpful in explaining some of the menu items. A little on the pricey side---but if you want a very good meal this is the place. We may not wait for my next BD for a return visit.

Beautiful location with great menu, wine list and seafood selection. Definitely need reservations. Had a problem with the taste of an appetizer but the staff quickly apologized, removed from bill and comped dessert. Fun place. Will be back.

This is the first Neighborhood Services restaurant where there were so many misses in the food and service. Being a higher end highly touted restaurant one should expect and receive more. Although none of the misses were of such magnitude to make an issue at the time of service they added up to equal a disappointment. The restaurant is tightly packed so the closeness to other diners comes with the territory. The first miss was the bread service - we had to ask for bread and many minutes later a small loaf arrived, approximately 7" x 1.5", only partially sliced wrapped in brown without bread plates for our party of 6. Awkward ! It would have been nice to have a some ice in our water glasses. Do we have to ask? That was followed by what was billed as a wedge salad but was not more than 1 oz of greens dressed adequately but at $13 I expected more. Our entrees, fish and chips and the crispy shrimp were all overcooked. The proteins should have been plump and moist but with dark brown exteriors and dry interiors. Chips were overcooked too. If you are hungry, the fish portion was rather skimpy so try something else. We decided to try the Key lime parfait for dessert - it was a layered melange of key lime filling and some unknown components that was served at room temperature. Unremarkable. On the positive side, the Ole Mule cocktail and the Simple Greens salad were both ample and tasty. Sorry Nick but this place did not live up to the reputation you earned at the other NHS restaurants we've tried. The price:value quotient did not compute.

Fresh fresh seafood. Authentic decor (use to live in Seattle), fun to have a "lake" restaurant in Dallas. A bit loud, so if you need to conduct important business, ask for a table in the back - much quieter in that area. They won't seat a party until all members have arrived, so we were technically late for our 7pm reservation for a party of 5. There was a bit of a wait, therefore, however the staff went way out of their way to make it up to us - complimentary appetizers, etc. In other words, they were focused on making our experience first rate - and it was.

I have to say that my first impression due to the hostesses was not so good, however, since the moment I sat down -Jimmy at the bar and his partners were amazing. He suggested me some dishes and each of them were fantastic. I still can feel the flavor of them. The ceviche, the entree and the dessert, just amazing. Totally private and discrete place, almost could not found it.

At our server's suggestion we shared the NIck's Picks oysters.Three of us had the swordfish with voodoo sauce, which was incredible. The king salmon and halibut were also well received, the NY strip was not. The pomme frites were delicious & the tartar sauce accompaniment was a nice touch. On the down side, the restaurant is small and really noisy which made conversation difficult.

Excellent food and service. The oysters were superb. Kind of a hole in the wall but well worth the price.

Great seafood with a Pacific Northwest flair. All seafood was super fresh. Would definitely return. Try the crab.

Decided to try this new chef-owned place near home with some friends and really enjoyed it. A diverse seafood menu with a good variety of wines. My wife's smoked salmon appetizer was enormous and tasty. The mussels less than they should have been. Service was good, and the waiter took a lot of time explaining everything. My only complaint was acoustics, and that had to do more with the over-zealous, 30-somethings next to us that haven't yet realized they are not in college any more, than the restaurant itself. Some things you can't expect them to control. Definitely return-visit worthy.

This restaurant was a pleasant surprise. It’s located in University Park in Dallas, but the decor has the look and feel of a coastal restaurant. They do make a pretty good Old Fashioned. However, the bar area was extremely crowded because it’s very small. My husband and friend shared two bakers dozen of the oysters on the half shell. They loved them! My husband ordered the swordfish tacos. They were tasty but small if you have a big appetite. I ordered the burger. It was very good although a bit salty. I am a salt lover so overdoing salt is no small feat. We loved the look, feel and atmosphere of the restaurant. I would definitely go back.