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Long Island restaurateurs Andrew Affa and Steve Squitiro launched their latest venture together last month with the opening of The James in Babylon Village.
Over the past year and a half, they completely renovated the old Babylon Carriage House at 21 Fire Island Ave., turning it into a modern American brasserie with a focus on prime dry-aged steaks. There is also a a nod to French cuisine, the owners told GLI. Keep scrolling for photos.
This comes six years after the two took over Babylon’s Venetian Yacht Club and created The Piermont, one of the South Shore’s premier wedding destinations.
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“We’ve established strong roots in Babylon Village,” said Squitiro, who lives in nearby West Islip. “We love it here.”
Squitiro and Affa, who also own Arlo Kitchen & Bar in Northport and North Shore Synagogue in Syosset, said the Babylon Carriage House location had been in their sights for a while.
The Babylon Carriage House opened in 2003 in an actual carriage house that was built in the post-Civil War era. It closed in 2023.
“It’s iconic, it’s a great building, and it’s right down the block from The Piermont,” said Squitiro, noting that the location checked all the boxes for him and his partner.
From when they got the keys to where it is now, the transformation is almost unrecognizable. The duo did a complete renovation of the space, from the roof down.
The James, which happens to be the middle name of both partners, offers a fine dining experience, they said.
“We’re trying to bring back elegance and grace to dining and just create a beautiful vibe,” said Affa, of Huntington.
Photos
Courtesy photos from The James, shot by Kevin G Photography.
More photos
These photos were taken by GLI’s Nick Esposito.
