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A new high-end steakhouse paying homage to Long Island’s rich Revolutionary War history is set to open in East Setauket, as early as May.
Culpers 1778, named after the famed Culper Spy Ring, will blend colonial-era inspiration with modern American cuisine in a setting that celebrates the region’s past, ownership said.
Taking over the location previously occupied by Mario’s Italian Restaurant at 212 Main St., the new establishment is a joint venture between three experienced local restaurateurs: Scott Brittman, Chris Otero, and Ed Fabian.
Brittman, a Setauket native and Ward Melville High School graduate, along with his business partner Otero, already co-own The Whiskey Barrel in Port Jefferson. Fabian is a partner in the ownership team at Billie’s in Port Jefferson and is also preparing to open Artemis speakeasy in Station Yards at the Ronkonkoma train station.
“Opening a steakhouse has kind of been something that me and Chris have wanted to do for a while,” Brittman told Greater Long Island, noting that there’s steakhouse gap in the local dining scene. “There’s Vintage in St. James and then there’s not really much else around here that is a higher end steakhouse.”
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The name Culpers 1778 is a big tip of the hat to area’s rich Revolutionary War history, referencing the Culper Spy Ring that operated in the area during the American Revolution. The owners plan to incorporate historical elements into the décor, including American Revolutionary War pictures and a 13-colony flag.
While maintaining the same basic layout as Mario’s, the new owners are undertaking significant renovations, including installing a new bar top, redoing the lights and ceilings, and refreshing the space with paint and other aesthetic improvements, Brittman said. The dining area will feature tablecloths to enhance the upscale steakhouse atmosphere.
A focus on premium cuts
Culpers 1778 will have enough room for about 200 seats, along with seating for 15 to 20 patrons at the bar. Brittman said the bar area will be spacious and include booths and high-top seating.
The menu will focus on premium cuts of meat.
“Everything, for the most part, is going to be prime steaks or higher. We’re going to have an American Wagyu (ribeye) cut on the menu,” Brittman said. “We’ll have a couple of different steaks for two, like a tomahawk for two and a porterhouse for two.”
The project has come together relatively quickly, with planning beginning only about two months ago. The owners are aiming for a May opening, just in time for the busy summer season.
Replacing an E. Setauket icon
The new restaurant will replace Mario’s Italian restaurant, a once-beloved East Setauket icon that faced a series of unfortunate events in recent years. The establishment weathered two devastating fires — one in 2019 and another in 2023 — that severely impacted operations.
In between those incidents, the restaurant, which served the community for more than four decades, suffered another blow in 2022 when a vehicle crashed through its front doors.
Top photo: Culpers 1778 steakhouse is looking to open in May (Credit: Andrew Theodorakis).
