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An East Main Street mainstay is no more in Babylon, but Long Island Pekin’s namesake dish may have a next act.
The popular Chinese restaurant closed this month after more than five years at 96 E. Main Street, with owner Jason Lee expressing hopes of eventually serving Peking duck again at future pop-up events.
“There is such love and support for Pekin that I think it would be fun to give my customers a chance to have my Peking duck again,” Lee told Greater Long Island from Hong Kong. “But I haven’t put anything in the works yet.”
In an Oct. 1 farewell video posted to the restaurant’s social media channels, Lee thanked Long Island Pekin customers and staff for “years of love, support and kindness,” while announcing plans to open two new express dim sum and dumpling spots.
“On the business side, it just made sense,” he said in the video. “Rising costs and an already paper-thin margin business was starting to really weigh heavy. Consumers were also feeling the pressure of rising costs of dining out and it was just hurting the relationship between us.”
The restaurant veteran said the birth of his second son in August proved to be a tipping point for his decision to shutter the full-service restaurant, which opened in June 2019.
“I want to see my kids more,” said Lee, whose first son was born a few months after Long Island Pekin opened. “I have sacrificed so much with family and friends over decades that I took immediate action when my second son was born in August of last year to not miss another milestone or gathering with family or friends.”
Lee, a restaurant industry veteran of more than 25 years, opened Long Island Dumplings in Manhattan just south of 14th Street on Sixth Avenue late last year. He also is involved with E Noodle Cafe along Fifth Avenue in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and Fok Noodles on Catherine Street in Manhattan’s Chinatown, where he is aiming to open an express Mott Street outpost of the eatery in the coming weeks.
“These are all dumpling/noodle shops that are fast-paced and focus on takeout service, keeping prices low and food at the same great quality,” he said.
But after five-plus years of operating the restaurant in Babylon, Lee is vowing to not open another full-service location.
“I will always have that itch and instinct to want to open more,” he said. “When I see a vacant space or some cuisine that can absolutely do great in an area, my mind starts to go to work, but my family and friends all know to stop me from actually executing, because they know what I will end up feeling about it.”
Lee said he leaves behind fond memories of his five-plus year run in Babylon, which took him out of the kitchen and allowed him to connect more closely with customers. Among the highlights, he said, is knowing that many couples who went on first dates to Long Island Pekin ended up marrying and having children.
“I certainly don’t take credit for it,” he said. “I’m just proud to know that the environment I provided was where they wanted to take their date, significant other or spouse.”
Lee said he will continue updating Long Island Pekin’s Instagram, where he regularly posts photos of favorites from the menu.
He also left a “Hello Lovely People” message on the restaurant’ website, noting that “the last five years have been a blast getting to know and serving you all.”
“Saying goodbye wasn’t easy,” Lee wrote. “But that’s how we know that Pekin was something really special for you and for the team here.”
Top: Long Island Pekin owner Jason Lee upon his launch in Babylon in June 2019. (GLI file photo)
