Listen to this articleRoslyn will soon be home to a new Japanese restaurant.
Okaru, whose menu comprises modern and traditional Japanese inspired dishes, is slated to open Thursday at 1401 Old Northern Blvd.
The two-story, 110-seat restaurant is the latest concept from Marc Spitzer, the partner and longtime chef behind BondSt in New York City, and his business partner Noam Shemel, principal of Kano Real Estate Investors. The two have partnered to launch Northern & Main Hospitality, with Okaru as their first concept together.
“After working in the city for over the last 26 years and as a resident of a nearby town to Roslyn on Long Island, the plan was always at some point to open up a space on Long Island,” Spitzer told LIBN.
“Co-owner Noam is a resident of the area and after searching, found the space that we knew would be home for Okaru,” Spitzer added.
Spitzer said the partners chose Roslyn “because we wanted to join the great food scene in the area and felt the dining community in the area and neighboring areas would really understand what we envisioned and were looking to build.”
Looking for the right space, the partners discovered “the historical building at 1401 Old Northern Blvd. Once we saw the building in disarray, we wanted to bring the space back to its original board and batten facade that it had from the late 1800s and continue the life of the historical building. We love the village-feel the town has and has a true sense of community which we cannot wait to be a part of.”
The space was designed by Carlita Alexander Design, with a Japandi style, bringing a combination of Japanese and Scandinavian esthetics.
The menu features soups that include kakiage udon with shoyu broth, a seafood tempura pancake and shiitake mushrooms. Salads include crispy duck confit maitake, shiitake, shimeji, hinoki, and king trumpet mushrooms, garlic chips, and a red miso vinaigrette. There is a choice of appetizers, including big eye tuna tarts, sake braised short ribs and more. Entrees include seafood toban yaki, red miso lamb chops, additional offerings as well as a host of sushi options. Also on tap is an “ingredient-driven cocktail program,” as well as sake, wine and beer.
Spitzer has been the executive chef of BondSt, which has locations in NoHo and Hudson Yards, for more than two decades. The restaurant also has an outpost in Miami. Previously, he worked at Russian Tea Room and Le Cirque 2000.
Shemel brings to the partnership his expertise in acquisitions, development, asset management and more. Through Northern & Main, the partners plan to develop additional restaurants in the region.
Daniel Eng, the restaurant’s general manager, oversees the beverage program. He was previously at the Michelin-starred restaurant Crown Shy, Japanese fine dining restaurant Wano, and Lower East Side modern Japanese izakaya restaurant Kin Gin.
After opening on Thursday, Okaru will serve dinner Tuesday to Sunday, beginning at 5 p.m.
