Phil’s Waterfront Bar and Grill in Aquebogue has sold, but fans can still expect much of the same casual American fare.
On the Docks Waterfront Bar and Grill will replace Phil’s Waterfront, located on Meetinghouse Creek Road adjacent to the Lighthouse Marina, in the coming weeks, new owner Kostas Kastamonitis said Monday.
Kastamonitis and his wife, Lori, of Sound Beach, are purchasing the business from Phil Marcario, who also owns the longstanding Phil’s Restaurant in Wading River. They are planning to keep the menu, chef, bartenders and wait staff in place when it opens under the new name, he said.
“Phil’s reputation is excellent and so is the quality of the food,” Kastamonitis said. “That is why I want to keep it mostly the same.”
Kastamonitis was a general manager of Italian restaurants in Nassau County for 12 years before leaving the food industry roughly 15 years ago to focus on his electrical engineering career. He had a yearning to return to his passion for restaurant management about two years ago, but couldn’t find the right location before coming across Phil’s Waterfront in January.
“When I saw it was for sale and I talked with Phil, I knew it would be the right fit,” he said. “The location is number one.”
Phil’s Waterfront Bar and Grill opened in the former Meeting House Creek Inn restaurant in June 2016. The eatery, which was completely renovated during its transition from the former Meeting House Creek Inn, has both indoor and outdoor bars along with interior and dockside seating.
It was the second location for the family-owned and operated restaurant and sports bar. In 1990, the Marcario family established Phil’s Restaurant & Sports Bar on Route 25A in Wading River, which remains a popular destination for burgers and its famed buffalo chicken wings.
Kastamonitis said guests can expect the staple menu items, such as the Waterfront Burger topped with Asiago cheese, Sriracha mayo and Cajun stuffed shrimp.
Phil’s Waterfront Bar and Grill remains open seven days a week during the transition. Kastamonitis hopes the official change of hands — along with new signage for On the Docks — will be in place by Monday, April 15. On the Docks will be open year-round, he added.
On the Docks Waterfront Bar & Grill is located 177 Meeting House Creek Road, Aquebogue
