La Bodega Offers Puerto Rican Fusion in Montauk

Two local women are bringing Puerto Rican fusion cuisine to one of the most central spots in downtown Montauk.

opened Memorial Day weekend on The Plaza. There is no other sit-down restaurant of its kind in Montauk.

Owners Julia Prince and Paulette Davis, both hailing from Montauk, and Jose Rodriguez wanted to open a restaurant with a different vibe. "There was no place in town I could get a good drink or a café con leche and feed Hudson," Prince said referring to her 2-year-old son.

They both wanted a place where residents and visitors could comfortably gather in a laid-back environment and get good food, from empanadas to a classic turkey club, and good drinks from an espresso to milkshakes.

Both owners were also looking for something new to do.

and had always wanted to open a restaurant ever since she worked in the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, long before her stint in local government.

Davis, an owner of Davis Builders, is a former flight attendant and started the clothing line Earthly Sole. She spends the winters in Puerto Rico, giving birth to the idea to blend American and Puerto Rican food. Prince was amenable having spent three winters in Uruguay.

Just a taste of the menu include items like Cubano Marielito, pork, swiss cheese, pickles and mustard ($9.50); Avocado toast, fresh avocado on a buttered cinderinas toast with chili flakes and drizzled with honey ($6.50); and Huero Caballo, two eggs over easy on top of Puerto Rican rice and beans served with Los Cinderinas bread ($8).

La Bodega is currently open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The owners just received a liquor license, and plan to be open until midnight soon. Breakfast is served all day, and you'll find your average items like french toast, waffles, pancakes and breakfast sandwiches on the menu. The restaurant also serves a variety of breakfast bowls like the Dogman's Bowl, with apple juice, acai, banana and honey($8.50).

The space, which had been The Plaza for 20 years, was completely renovated. Galvantized metal hands on the wall, vibrant colors abound, and the mirrored walls are hand-painted with menu items.

La Bodega serves Café la Casona, an imported Puerto Rican coffee. Vegetarian items and options for the lactose-intollerent are plentiful. There's even a "Soy So Happy Shake" on the menu.

Prince said she hopes to expand the business to include retail items, like exclusive coffees and clothing (Which would lend itself well to the business' name).