BLVD25, an American grill created by the 25-year-old behind the Center Cuts butcher shop, opened in Manhasset last Tuesday.
Menu items such as the scallops, ribs and spinach-and-artichoke dip have already proven popular, said founder Justin Aronoff, who is now spending his mornings at Center Cuts on Willis Avenue and his evenings at the restaurant.
“They’re loving the quality of the food,” he said of the first customers. “We’re providing top quality stuff. All the burgers, steaks – everything’s prime.”
Starters on the BLVD25 menu range from $9 to $22, among which are a pan seared shrimp crab cake, tuna tartare and five onion soups.
The “BLVD25 salad” includes shaved raw Brussel sprouts, almonds, reggiano and champagne vinaigrette.
Burgers and sandwiches range from $19 to $26. The list of house specialties includes grilled shrimp with zucchini noodles and grilled lamb chops.
A 14-ounce prime strip steak with herb butter tops off the menu at $44.
Aronoff built a team of locals in the industry to create the restaurant in the location formerly home to Nick & Pedro’s.
Long Island’s Billy Liebhart and Rob Smith are the chef and sous chef and Mark Spiegel is a partner. Spiegel had retired from his Port Washington company Mark of Excellence Distinctive Catering before joining the venture.
Roslyn’s Ryan Weber of Manhattan-based Jean-Georges Management is a managing partner and the general manager. And John Brill, who was an executive chef at Long Island restaurants, including Fish on Main and Jack Halyard’s Tavern, was a culinary consultant for BLVD25.
“We’re working every day putting in a lot of hours and just trying to get a rhythm down,” Aronoff said. “We’re putting out good food, so everybody’s been happy.”
The Roslyn native opened Center Cuts when he was 19. Since then it has expanded to include a catering service that often sends out five crews a day on summer weekends, Aronoff said.
In mid-February, Aronoff thought he was just weeks away from opening BLVD25, but hurdles with permitting set it back to July. He had taken over the space in early 2017.
Now he balances his time between his old and new business.
“I’ll sleep when I’m older,” Aronoff said.
