Greater Sayville coverage is funded in part by The Shed, your scratch kitchen for brunch and dinner daily at 21 Main St. in West Sayville.
La Tavola in Sayville has been tabled for a sparkling new concept.
The Italian restaurant, which had been operating on Main Street since 2008, was run by brothers Joseph DeNicola and Leo DeNicola Sr., the owners of the DBC restaurant group, renowned for its popular restaurants across Suffolk.
Before the holidays, the restaurant at 183 W. Main St. closed for renovations and reopened as MĒNA Mediterranean, a pop-up restaurant offering both Greek and Italian dishes, as well as wine and craft cocktails.
This fresh concept is the brainchild of Leo DeNicola Sr. and his son, Leo DeNicola Jr., marking their first restaurant venture together.
“It felt like it was time for Tavola to try something new,” said DeNicola Jr.
Leo DeNicola Sr. and his brother, Joseph, currently operate Ruvo in Port Jefferson and Greenlawn, Del Fuego in St. James, Babylon, Patchogue, and East Northport, and NOCO in St. James.
At MĒNA — named after the younger Leo’s daughter, Filomena — patrons can enjoy a variety of Mediterranean cuisine.
The concept
Photos courtesy of MĒNA Mediterranean
Owners Leo DeNicola Sr. and Leo DeNicola Jr. are of Italian descent, while their chef, Thomas Manikas, is Greek (and was the original chef at La Tavola). This restaurant blends the two culinary traditions while adding influences from other Mediterranean regions. They offer chef’s tapas, charcuterie boards, pasta dishes, a wine bar influenced by Spain, and kept La Tavola’s beloved brick-oven pizzas. Tap here for the full menu.
The renovations included the addition of beautiful French doors, expansion of the bar area, and painting the walls a light sage green.
“It feels like you’re in a different country,” DeNicola Jr. said.
Similar to their other family ventures, DeNicola Jr. noted that the artwork adorning the restaurant was created by his grandfather.
MĒNA is currently open Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Follow
Top: Cacio e Pepe served up at MĒNA Mediterranean. (Credit: Instagram)
