'Legends will continue to be legends': North Fork Eatery is changing hands

NEW SUFFOLK, NY — A new day dawned at the iconic Legends in New Suffolk this week as a change in ownership was announced after more than 30 years.

“We are very pleased to announce the new ownership of Legends Restaurant by Andrea Tese,” said a February 1 Facebook post. “As a local owner who also owns Minnow at the Galley Ho across the street, Ms. Tese is familiar with the impact Legends has had on the North Fork community, having grown up among it.”

The post added: “You can be assured that despite this change in ownership, everything you know and love about Legends will remain unchanged. Andrea is committed to preserving the essence and charm of Legends by ensuring that the outstanding staff will continue to provides the same warm and attentive service, and the beloved menu will remain the cornerstone of its appeal. Upon your return to Legends, you will encounter the warm, intimate and fine dining experience that has cemented its place in the hearts of the community. We can I can't wait to see you.”

The restaurant has long been a cornerstone of the North Fork community under the helm of Diane and Dennis Harkoff, who have owned the business since 1993.

And now, Tese told Patch, her plans are to keep the Legends that so many know and love, true to its roots.

Tese said she and her sister Lauren Tese Warwick, who will co-own the business, officially closed on the deal Thursday.

“The main reason we acquired Legends is that we didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands,” he said. “New Suffolk is such a special place — and it should stay that way.”

Tese, who has spent her life fishing on the water, has already shaped Minnow—the former Case's Place, and before that, the legendary Galley Ho—with a focus on sustainability-minded seafood.

“Legends won't be Minnow,” he said. “It would be extremely difficult to serve only local line-caught seafood all year round. However, we will slowly be making changes to our seafood options to make them more sustainable and in line with marine conservation. For example, we are researching sustainable salmon options that we can to use in place of the Norwegian that's currently on the menu. We don't want to support fisheries” that support commercial whaling, he said.

The two restaurants will complement each other, he said: “Minnow and Legends is the New Suffolk experience! They are perfect complements to each other.”

When asked what's at the helm for Legends, Tese replied, “The plan is for Legends to stay Legends. They say, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' and we agree. The staff is all staying, including Chef David Miguel.” Of course there will be tweaks and updates, but the intention is to take our time and be very careful.”

Having grown up in New Suffolk, Tese has long been inspired to pour her heart into the dining spaces long iconic on the North Fork canvas.

“The community in New Suffolk is old-school, small-town America in a way that you don't see very often in this part of the country anymore,” he said. “It's largely undeveloped and quaint and unassuming. It's a little salty. It's naturally amazing. And it's fun. In my opinion, what I just described is pretty close to perfection.”

For now, Tese said, both the food and cocktail menus at Legends will remain the same.

As a woman who grew up on local waters, Tese's journey to shape the face of New Suffolk's waterfront is a deeply personal one.

“It means everything,” she said. “My great grandparents from Sicily started coming out to New Suffolk 100 years ago. I have a picture of them all fishing in a boat in the bay. My grandfather used to do long dives at Robins Island. My father taught me crabbing at night off the bridge. This is my home. I have a lot of history here — and I don't take my responsibilities to the community and the waterfront lightly.”

Legends plays a large role in Tese's own memories.

“I remember when Legends was Bonnie's By The Bay,” he said. “These places are my past, present and future. I'd like to protect and enhance them. I want to update the places I grew up in enough to make them relevant and sustainable, but not so much that I take away the history them and charm.”

Tese threw a party Sunday night to toast the Harkoffs and celebrate the change of hands.

Next Sunday, plans include a Super Bowl party around 4 p.m. with front throwing contest, prizes, raffle and bar food.

“We're working on getting set hours, so stay tuned, but I know we'd like to bring back the late-night menu,” he said.

And, to customers old and new, Tese has a message: “Legends will continue to be Legends.”