Tate’s Restaurant

Say it ain’t so, Tate’s. I had noticed a couple of months back that Unilocal listed this restaurant as closed, but was hoping it was an error or cruel hoax. I called the number to verify and, sadly, it is indeed closed. This was truly one of the most underrated restaurants. I had planned to give a 5 star review, raving about their absolutely delicious Italian food, fresh orange roughy, bread made from scratch right on the premises, and ossa buca that was melt in your mouth tender (one of their signature dishes). Their cheesecake was described by our server as «out of this world», and while I don’t usually order cheesecake because it is so rich, the description given to us was accurate. I was going to write that the New York Times gave it a very good rating, which anyone that is familiar with their rating system knows that is not an easy rating to achieve and actually is a much better rating than it sounds. I was going to write all of these wonderful things about Tate’s and now I can’t.
What I can do, however, is hope that the previous owners read this belated review and consider some suggestions for their next Long Island restaurant endeavor (please please please). We always worried about the fate of Tate’s, mostly because of its location. It was in an out of the way strip mall and it seemed that most of the patrons were locals who already knew it was there. We only found the restaurant because I read about it in a magazine article and wanted to try it. We often said the food rivaled some of the top restaurants in Huntington and thought they would benefit from a new location. Obviously Huntington comes to mind, other options might be Port Jefferson, St. James (which seems to be a developing hot spot for restaurants) and Northport. Even if the rent in these areas is too expensive, just a spot with other popular restaurants or little shops would help. A place where people think of going when they want to go to a restaurant.
Tate’s would benefit greatly not only from a more popular location, but also from trendier décor. While it had a nice Tuscan theme, it definitely needed an update to give it a more contemporary vibe.
One more quick suggestion, is to offer reservations through Open Table. This is a good way for a restaurant to get its name out there, as potential patrons can search for available restaurants by location and cuisine.
So please, former owners, consider these suggestions and bring back Tate’s. Don’t deprive us of some of the best food on Long Island.

Food was delicious and the service was very good as well. I have been here a couple of times on a friends recommendation. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is that for me the portion size of the main meals are too small. If I ate a proper portion size this would be fine but I like my food. At least add more sides to the plate for bigger eaters to fill up on something. I had an evening snack both times I went here.

Excellent food and the bread is to die for. I really love this little nook. It’s very authentic and the food is great!

I really like this place and have dined here multiple times. On a recent visit, we all had the prix fixe menu and everyone loved the food. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed all 3 courses. My beet salad and the striped bass were excellent. The waitress, Karen, was very pleasant and accommodating but service was a little slow as she was the only server and could of used a little help. The main drawbacks to Tate’s is the pretax $ 15.00 per bottle wine corkage fee and the ambiance.

What a wonderful surprise! My husband and I drive past Tate’s all the time and never bothered to try it. Boy were we missing out!
The staff were friendly and knowledgable. My kids devoured the penne with pork ragu (7 and 3). Hubby and I split the crab cake. He had the slow cooked beef — tender and delicious! I had the linguine and clams. They use real clams. Perfect clam to pasta ratio. Pasta was also cooked to perfection!
We did not stay for dessert however we brought some home. All made fresh from scratch — they look delicious!
We will return!

I decided to review this place because I’m literally daydreaming right now about the duck I ate there this past weekend.
First, the food is legit gourmet food. The duck has this delicious sweet sauce made from some kind of fruit (raisin?). My family had 6 different items off the menu and all were delicious. Only raving reviews. The chef clearly cooks with great attention to detail. Which reminds me — the plating was really impressive. You don’t see that detail in most places in Manhattan much less in a tiny town.
Second, the location and décor is odd but somehow makes this place more interesting. It’s in the middle of a very tiny town. The outside is unassuming — next to a laundromat and across from a nail salon. The inside is simple and small, but does the trick. It feels very genuine.
Last, the staff, manager, and chef are delightful people. Not fake. I feel like I’m friends with them now after one meal! My infant daughter was cranking and the manager brought us different things to help calm her (cup of ice, strawberries, etc.). We were all over the place running around with kids and they were so patient and sweet. I really loved them.
In all, it’s a great dining experience. Think about stopping here for lunch or dinner on the way out to, or back from, the Hamptons. Or, if you’re a local, count yourself lucky!

I apologize for the hyperbole but the Osso Bucco I had last night may have been the best meal I ever had. What a gem. Doesn’t look like much from the outside. But delivers inside everytime.

Tate’s Restaurant gets a 5 from me! I consider it a little gem especially since it’s on a busy stretch of Smithtown Boulevard and most of the places to eat in this general vicinity are kind of meh. Though I do love Little Vincent’s & Nesconset Bagel Café but they got nothing on Tate’s!
Upon walking into Tate’s I tend to forget where I am and feel like I should be sitting in the restaurant whether it be in Brooklyn or Manhattan. It’s been awhile since I had a meal there and they keep updating the space to become even more cozy and intimate. ** HEADS UP ** The menu does change frequently but there’s usually a few staples that Jack (the Chef) will keep on there such as appetizers like the Orecchiette, Crab Cakes, Meatballs. He always tends to have Shrimp Francaise (which is always a nice treat!!) and some sort of beef that just falls apart with a flavorful horseradish cream as entrees.
We opted to do the Prix Fixe as usual and we started with the Orecchiette and the Crab Cakes. Man oh man… I just love the crab cakes. Everything that comes out of that kitchen comes out beautiful. Beautiful in flavor and on the plate. I love when I take a bite of food or bread (by the way he also makes that fresh too!!!) and you can taste all of the love that’s put into it. All of the food here in my opinion just oozes of love. The bread usually comes with a head of roasted garlic (but if he doesn’t have that he’ll make something else like a Caponata). The garlic is perfect too!
After our appetizers we got the Beef Brasato. I thought about getting the Shrimp Francaise (since it is Lent after all) but since our waitress Kelly said that it was like the Short Ribs he makes but less fatty I was sold. Hell… I was already kind of sold because I saw the horseradish cream (which I absolutely love)! The beef just fell apart every time I cut a piece and took a bite. It was so good!!!
Dessert we got to go and we had the Chocolate Cake & the Salted Caramel & Butterscotch pudding (I think that’s what it is). It’s served in a short wide mouth mason jar and come to think of it… I’ve got to bring back the empty clean mason jar.
So if you haven’t tried it… you really should!

What a great place. From the outside it does not look like much. We actually pulled up and thought it was a simple pizzeria.
When entering we realized it was a restaurant. Very small and quant sirs about 8 tables. Great spot for romantic dinner, family dinner or get together a with friends. The services was so friendly and warm. You can bring your own wine or order it there. Everything we are was grata starting with the crab cakes as an app some slow cooked beef for dinner that was so tender ending with the carrot cake which was amazing.
We really enjoyed this spot. The menu was super creative. The staff was very helpful. The place could use a makeover on the outside but I would not change a thing on the inside. I love places that are small and focused. It rep family and love
Do happy we found this little place and gave it a chance. They change the menu daily do everything is original
Btw the carrot cake is a must. It was super moist and great do much flavor and richness. The crab cake was very refreshing and had a great taste. My beef was so tender that I did not need anything but my fork to cut it. My hunny chicken was great. Yup I tried that too. Again cook perfect
I do recommend this place. You really can’t judge a book by its cover. We will def be going back to this spot many times over. Overall loved everything about it. We give it 4 stars
You gotta go try this place for yourself to understand. Don’t give up when you pull up you have to go in and eat. Don’t mess up like we did the first time when we pulled up and almost left. Go in and enjoy. There is a ten dollar corking fee if u bring your own bottle. So go for it and enjoy with grinds family or your lived one. He’ll even go alone just go.

Make a reservation and BYOB (or buy your drinks there) you’ll have a great evening. This hidden gem of a restaurant is located in a nondescript location that you’ll pass without even noticing. The food is great and the staff is top notch — nice — friendly and good at their job. I will absolutely go back again.

Wonderful foods, fresh and homecooking Italian foods, great services, and clean, great desserts! I has pear parmayy prosciutto, Gorgonzola truffle honey for appetizer and dinner is lasagna bolognese is one of the best I ever had! Bring cash only. We will be back!

Came here after checking out some reviews. I have to admit I was a bit leary when we pulled up. We had a reservation but we still ended up having to wait a bit. That was the only thing I could really complain about overall. The staff was very attentive and kept checking in with us during our wait. Even offering to crack one of our bottles early. (which they later didnt charge the fee on, +1)
The food was great. Portions werent as large as I tend to like but with the prices we paid I really cant complain. Their breads are amazing. Especially the pizza-​like one they gave us during our wait for the table. BYOW, with a corking fee of $ 10 a bottle.
I will definitely be coming back soon. Curious to try out some more of the menu. Next time ill try coming at a more off hour to avoid any wait.

The food is always top notch. The price fix menu is easy in the wallet and the ability to bring your own wine is awesome. Sometimes there is a wait to be seated, but thar’s because people do not want to leave

Solid 4 stars. Went there for New years eve dinner. They had a prixe fixe menu for the night as they do most every night. 3 courses and a glass of wine $ 55 per person (normally $ 32). Appetizers like crab cakes, calamari, lobster bisque. Main course choices duck. filet mingon, lobster. I had the lobster, it was poached nice big tail and 2 claws all out of the shell. No upcharge and only a $ 10 corking fee if you bring your own wine. very good meal and very good service which is unusual for News year eve anywhere. i will definetely go back and try them on a normal night. Don’t be put off by the looks of the place. It looks like it was an old pizza parlour at one point. Clean, just an unusual space. The food and service more than make up for the lack of pretty, lots of pretty places on Long Island with ugly food.

What a find! This Italian restaurant with a non– Italian names is located in a small shopping mall near a laundry. The allow BYOB with no corking fee. There is a pice fix menu that has good variety. Everything from salad, appetizers to dessert have an real authentic taste. The wait staff Is friendly and helpful. On weekend can be noisy but worth it.
Definitely a return place.

Excellent food. The desserts kept me coming back, I had reviewed this restaurant a few years back and the steak was a zero but I came back and was pleasantly surprised. Our 8pm res got us seated at 8:20; as they appeared understaffed and the waitstaff was hosting. We sat and waited, and as this restaurant is BYOB no one offered us a cork for our wine placed on the table we were waiting at. That would have made the wait easier. All around, good food, great atmosphere. I will give it another chance!

We ate at Tate’s after reading posts on Unilocal!We were so surprised and happy we did, the food was very good and service was also very good! Kelly our waitress was wonderful ! It’s BYOB which was nice !

Great, fresh food that’s very affordable.
BYOB no corkage fee.
Tasty pasta dishes,
Reservations only for 5 people or more.

Loved it. It’s the new byob, new menu each night, cash only concept and it works. The apps were delicious… orecciete pasta highly suggested! Both husband and I loved our meals, me tuna, he scallops.
Service was kind and friendly, no rush. They gave an extra dessert when we could not decide, which summed up the feeling of the night… service with a smile, great food and worth the price.

Wow! Not too shabby, Tate’s. I’m pretty surprised to be the first to review this establishment. My parents have tried this place out a couple times before and absolutely loved it. They stopped by, suggested it for dinner this evening, and told me to bring a bottle of wine. Gotta love BYOW! I grabbed a bottle of a 2005 Cab Franc sourced from the east end of Long Island outta my rack and we hit the road.
From the outside, Tate’s is not much to speak of. Located in a small strip of a couple of stores, where a mediocre Italian/​Pizza joint resided just several months ago. They did a decent job sprucing up the interior décor, could use a bit more sprucing since they are obviously trying to hit a certain level of class here. But the table settings are nice, as is the flatware.
The bread service is unique — they serve it with a bowl of high quality extra virgin olive oil, as well as, get this, a whole roasted garlic bunch. You can mash a clove of it up in your bread plate, with a bit of salt and pepper, oil, dip the bread and enjoy. Nice touch!
There’s a 3-​course prix fixe available before 7 PM (hey, gimme a break, my parents are in their 60’s!) which we took full advantage of. $ 22!!! (although everything we ordered had supplemental charge of like $ 3 or $ 5 but still, not bad).
I selected the Burrata to start, which is a thick ball of fresh mozzarella, eggplant caponata, and prosciutto. Never had a dish of this combination before, but I absolutely loved it! For my entrée, I had the Tiki Salmon, a pan roasted wild salmon with caponata, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, roasted sweet plantains, steamed spinach and a drizzle of a super tasty plum vinaigrette. As with the first dish, it was phenomenal.
For dessert, there were three options, we each choose a different one: 3-​layer-​chocolate cake for Mom (she said it was so good, she didn’t share), a carrot cake for Pops which he kindly split with my NY cheesecake. The cheesecake was good, not great, but passable as part of a reasonably priced prix fixe. I liked the carrot cake a bit more, the frosting and moist cake was perfect!
I would definitely recommend Tate’s, good value, great food. Hopefully they can pretty the place up a bit to match the quality of the food on the menu. But the food being so great is a good start! Keep it up Tate’s!