If you’re a fan of Patricia and James Mangiacapre’s The Watershed (46 Front St., Jamesport, 631-779-3454) you’re in luck. The couple is bringing the same well-executed hospitality to Riverhead’s forthcoming Abigayle‘s restaurant (428 E. Main St., Riverhead).
With executive chef Jorge Aparicio behind the menu, expect globally inspired dishes served in a space warmed by décor in southern-inspired shiplap walls, rich wood tones and hanging ferns. A late-night scene and the opportunity to host events onsite are also part of the vision, says Patricia.
“We look forward to getting to know the community and taking that same concept we created at The Watershed and taking a little bit of that to Riverhead,” she says. “And when I say concept, I mean allowing the community to tell you what they need in the space.”
Connected to The Preston Hotel, the former Myles on Main location had renovations done in 2019 but kept many historic components of the circa-1905 building.
“Coming from [the perspective of] a restaurant operator, it was one of those spaces that you walk into and you can envision so many different things that you can do with it,” says Patricia. “They restored the building, taking such great pride in the historical part.”
Patricia and James Mangiacapre’s new restaurant Abigayle’s is set to open around Labor Day. (Photo cOURTESY OF Lumber + Salt)
The pair had been looking for a location to open a second restaurant and when councilwoman Joann Waski, a Watershed-regular, heard of the available space in Riverhead, she let the Mangicapre’s know right away.
Customers can book the space for events featuring prix-fixe menus and family style food, but typically, they’ll be providing lunch and dinner service, drinks from a 15-seat bar and late-night bites in a downstairs cocktail lounge with couches, tables and DJ music.
“It’s great for a nice experience of small plates and cocktails — really sexy, really fun,” says James.
Lumber + Salt (5570 Sound Ave., Jamesport, 215-704-6588), the Jamesport-based architectural and design treasure trove, helped to curate the warm, welcoming vibe at The Watershed and they’re doing the same at Abigayle.
“We love working with them — they’re creative and easy to go back and forth with what you need as a client and then translating that visually,” says Patricia. “It’s a very easy working partnership that we have with them.”
As for the name, in the time between learning of the opportunity to take over the space and making it their own, Patricia and James were throwing around ideas.
“It was late night and we were going back and forth with names and our little Yorkie [named Abigayle] that is wherever we are was curled up on the floor, and I turned around jokingly and said, ‘Why don’t we just call it Abigayle?’”
Patricia’s pup predated her relationship with James, and despite his dislike for the breed, he’s grown fond of Abigayle.“We have a little love-hate relationship,” he says.
The name was also a natural fit because of its meaning, “father’s joy,” a sentiment that resonated with James.
The pair hopes to have some soft-opening evenings over the summer with an official grand opening planned close to Labor Day.
Over at The Watershed, everything is staying the same despite the Mangiacapres’ plans for expanding the brand. “Even if we go further, The Watershed will always be our starting point and our home base,” says Patricia.
For opening updates, hours and more details, follow the restaurant’s Instagram.
