The legendary Oar Steak & Seafood Grill has reopened its waterfront dining room after extensive renovations this winter.
Going into its 32nd season on Patchogue River, The Oar completely rebuilt its bar, expanded the ceilings and added new flooring, among other upgrades to the restaurant. Wood from the old ceiling was also incorporated with the new design. (Scroll down for photos.)
Monday, March 26, marked its first day of the “new” Oar.
The restaurant is now open 7 days a week.
“Every year we try to do add or redo a little something,” but this year they decided to completely remake the restaurant, said The Oar’s Lindsey Chalifoux.
Her father, Dick Blakeslee, purchased the Sun Dek Marina off West Avenue in 1986 and built The Oar up over time from what was at first a sandwich shack.
“All we sold were Stewart Sandwiches; it was a little toaster oven and everything came in a bag,” recalled Chalifoux, laughing. “It was hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza.”
By 2015, OpenTable was listing The Oar as among the Top 100 Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America.
“It was a broken down old boatyard but my father had a vision,” said Chalifoux. “This was his baby.
“And every year it’s gotten busier and busier.”
Scroll down for renovation photos.
