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James & Main has only been around since late last month, but the owners of the new East Rockaway restaurant are aiming for a more lived-in vibe.
Billed as “The South Shore’s Newest Classic” and serving “elevated American cuisine,” it’s the latest venture for restaurant veteran Danny Quinn, a 39-year-old native of Long Beach.
“We hope as soon as you come through the door, that it has a certain feel that takes you back in time a little bit.” Quinn said. “We just opened, but it’s classic, timeless.”
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Located at 1 Main Street, the top half of the restaurant’s name is in honor of Quinn’s 6-year-old son, James.
“He just knows it’s his daddy’s work,” Quinn said. “I don’t think he thinks too much of it.”
The restaurant, which was previously home to the eateries Reel and The Fishery, has room for up to 150 patrons across two bars, an outdoor deck and a dining room lined with paintings and antiques that have been collected for decades.
“This is something that we’ve been working on in our heads for a long time,” Quinn said. “The artwork, the architecture, the wines and the whiskeys — it’s something we knew that would happen.”
The menu
Under executive chef Andrew Krug, Quinn said the early favorites on James & Main’s menu are the J&M Steak — a 10-ounce wagyu strip steak — along with olive oil poached halibut, gnocchi pistachio and an oyster bar with a selection of raw oysters.
Other menu options include a rack of Australian lamb, a pork chop Milanese and a bistro burger with cheddar, bacon, house made pickles and fries.
Then, there are various seafood offerings — including a $70 seafood tower with a house lobster salad and six-piece servings of shrimp cocktail, clams and oysters.
Among the sides are pommes purée, broccoli rabe, house fries, creamed spinach and parsnip purée.
More in store
“The response has been really good,” Quinn said. “We’re grateful that people have been out and showing a lot of support.”
There are plans, too, for live jazz and acoustic performances on the ample outdoor deck.
Quinn said he’s excited to see his longtime vision for the place rounding into shape.
“It’s the right place, right time kind of thing,” he said. “East Rockaway is a great village and the surrounding towns are awesome, too.
“This is something that we think should stand out on the South Shore.”
James & Main is at 1 Main Street in East Rockaway. It is open six days a week from noon to 10 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays.
Photos
Photos courtesy of James & Main
