The restaurant at Larry’s Lighthouse Marina on Meetinghouse Creek in Aquebogue will be closing for renovations at the end of this month and will reopen next spring under new ownership and with a new name.
Phil Marcario, owner of Phil’s Restaurant in Wading River, is advertising on his website and on his bar menu that he’s opening a new location, “Phil’s Waterfront Bar & Grill.” An aerial photo of Larry’s Lighthouse Marina accompanies the announcement, which does not state its location.
Marcario last week declined to be interviewed about the new location. “I’d rather wait ’till we’re open,” he said last Tuesday at his popular Wading River eatery.
Property owner Alex Galasso, of Larry’s Lighthouse, confirmed that he’s had discussions with Marcario, whom he described as “a good friend,” but said no lease has yet been signed and “nothing is etched in stone.”
Galasso said he believed it is time for a change at the restaurant, which has been operated for nearly 25 years as the Meetinghouse Creek Inn by Tom Drake. It is adjacent to the marina and boasts an outdoor patio and a 70-foot screened-in porch for dining, both overlooking Meetinghouse Creek and the marina’s docks.
“I’d like to see the restaurant better complement the marina,” Galasso said.
Prior to Drake’s ownership, the restaurant was known as the Poop Deck. It had been in operation at least 20 years.
Drake said last Tuesday he plans to open a new restaurant in Riverhead. He said he could not disclose the location because he’s still working out terms with the owner of the site. “I have three more weeks here,” he said.
“It’s been a great 25 years,” Drake said.
Galasso said he is planning to raise the building about four feet to alleviate flooding issues. He’s rebuilding the bulkheading and would also like to build a second-story addition for storage purposes.
The footprint of the 4,771-square-foot building would not change. There are no plans to expand the 163-seat restaurant itself, Galasso said.
Since the marina and restaurant are considered pre-existing, nonconforming uses under the Riverhead Town zoning code, Galasso has to obtain a special permit from the town board for the renovations. The board is expected to set an Oct. 7 public hearing on the special permit application.
The survival of local journalism depends on your support.
We are a small family-owned operation. You rely on us to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Just a few dollars can help us continue to bring this important service to our community.
Support RiverheadLOCAL today.
