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When Zest opened in Bay Shore, chef and owner Mike Liebman imagined the place would attract adventurous foodies from across the region, Millennials and younger in search of menu items that might delight a discerning palate.
Instead of a boring hamburger, Zest featured a grilled lamb sausage burger.
Looking to order a grandma slice?
Fuggetaboutit!
Try the pickled celery, gorgonzola and avocado ranch Buffalo chicken pizzette instead.
It was all objectively delicious.
Perhaps it was the ample parking, or maybe it was because Zest occupied a former Friendly’s location away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown, but Zest began attracting families, often together in a multi-generational party of five or six.
In and out of love
Seeing the families coming in, Liebman instinctively did what any restaurant advisor might have told him.
Instead of staying hopelessly in love with his product, he fell in love with his customers.
He gave them what they wanted.
“We certainly have abandoned pushing the foodie restaurant concept and tried to mainstream the menu,” Liebman said. “We now have burgers, wraps, salads, barbecue platters, fish platters and even a small Italian section as well.”
“We have really leaned into the family restaurant idea, with a new-age American diner feel.”
Zest, he said, “now has something for everyone.”
And he wants everyone to know it.
So for those who might have been spooked by the monk fish with mango gelato in 2022, you might want to take a second look
“We hope to reach a whole other part of the Bay Shore community, especially once we are able to roll out breakfast,” Liebman told Greater Long Island.
What’s interesting about a chef with flavor profile like Liebman’s, and with the skills to execute, is this:
Once you know the rules, you’re able to break them. He broke those rules for about two years, and to rave reviews.
But going back, what you’ll find now is the best version of a family restaurant.
An elevated Friendly’s? Kinda
Liebman didn’t use the term “elevated Friendly’s,” but we will.
Take the clam strips on the menu, or the crispy panko chicken club, the cheeseburger or the chicken cheesesteak, the sides of French fries and coleslaw.
But by no means is this a Friendly’s, especially with a chef like Liebman running the kitchen.
You’ll also find menu choices such as snow crab legs, a grilled zucchini rollatini appetizer, and our favorite and a holdover from the original menu, the Thai PB & J sandwich (pulled pork, Thai peanut sauce, apricot jam, scallions, crispy shallots, pickled cucumbers.
That’s just to name a few; click here for the full menu, which includes the brunch menu.
The transition happened over time, Liebman said.
“Each menu group was added at completely different times with the hopes of capturing another audience,” he explained. “As a section was added, we removed items that started to not make as much sense.
“We still try to be creative with that foodie feel but without over complicating the dishes. We also really improved our vegan selection which has become way more popular than expected.
“We have really evolved and finally getting to a point where we feel more focused than ever before.”
If you go
Zest is located on the south side of Montauk Highway, just east of the Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library.
The restaurant is open six days a week, closed Mondays. Zest opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for its Zest it up Brunch.
Zest does not have a full liquor license, but offers craft beer, wine and and homemade sangria.
Liebman and the team also host special theme nights.
“We want to focus on things that make people happy and bring them together like art, music, family and food,” he said.
To that end, families can look for a name that tune night, bingo nights, character brunches (scroll down to follow along on Instagram). You could even book Zest for a make-your-own pizza party, or any special occasion.
Zest also offers rotating weekly takeout deals, with a new and extensive catering menu.
Try Italian:
Top: Chef Mike Liebman in the kitchen at Zest in Bay Shore in August 2023. (courtesy photo)
