Two New Village Restaurants Being Considered

A local couple doing business as Brooke and Steve Restaurants, LLC presented an application to the Babylon Village board last night to open a casual Mexican taco eatery in the former Lucy's Cafe & Bistro. Brooke Jankow, who worked at the original Lucy's years ago, stressed to the board that they understand how to keep the alleyway and outdoor area clean and quiet.

"It will be kind of like Bubba's in Islip. We're going to have surf videos playing on a loop and an attractive place to sit down and eat," said Jankow.

The taco restaurant will have take-out as well as indoor and outdoor seating. The eatery will serve alcohol but board members expressed a desire that the restaurant be food-oriented and not turn into a bar. Jankow agreed that the eatery would be focused on food, adding "we don't want the bar crowd and we don't want to become a bar." will be moving to an as-yet undisclosed new location.

Bayfront restaurant may also undergo a major change, if applicants Daniel and Kevin O'Donnell of West Islip are successful. The brothers bring restaurant experience and the willingness to invest capital in exterior and interior renovation for the structure. Plans for the 90-seat family friendly seafood restaurant, Tres Palms, include possibly serving breakfast and keeping all boat slips open for visiting boaters to dine.

Mayor Ralph Scordino and village board members expressed concern over possible outdoor drinking and partying, and noise concerns for neighbors. Building landlord and Babylon resident Thomas Licari spoke on behalf of the applicants, saying "I live here, too, and I have every interest in preserving the neighborhood. I chose the O'Donnells as being best for the neighborhood."

Resident Kathy Fallon voiced worries over the breakfast  plans, noting that in the past the noise of the exhaust fans has been a problem for neighbors, especially late at night or early in the morning.

Both applications are now being considered by the board with a decision expected in two weeks.