Foley's opens second location, in Massapequa Park

Foley’s, the sports bar in Smithtown, now has a sibling. The second Foley’s — this one a joint project for Massapequa couple Stacy Phillips and Tom Foley, for which the original spot is named — opened earlier this month in Massapequa Park.

"Smithtown is not as elevated and does not have the same food," Phillips, co-owner of the new Foley’s location, explained. "People come to Smithtown to play darts and pool. We have a lot of leagues. They come for drinks, eating is, like, the afterthought," she said. By contrast, "Massapequa is focused on the food."

The kitchen is overseen by chef Roberto Leon, whose resume includes Viaggio, Prime 39 and most recently, The Grand Lobby in Amityville. To start, we recommend the French onion soup with Guinness broth ($13) or one of the flatbreads ($23+) including the veggie goat cheese, Buffalo chicken and prosciutto and fig varieties. On the lighter side, there are pear Gorgonzola ($18) and candied walnut salads ($17), while more traditional starters like wings (bone, boneless or cauliflower, $16+), duck nachos ($24) and short rib or blackened chicken quesadillas ($24), and spinach artichoke dip ($22) are also featured. A touch of whimsy, a Bavarian pretzel is refashioned into the base of a charcuterie board ($43). For mains, there are three burgers ($24+) on the menu, as well as a Nashville chicken sandwich ($24), a steak sandwich ($29), and fish and chips ($28), but there’s also a twin lobster roll (MP), a crispy local fluke sandwich ($28), a NY strip ($49), and pan-seared salmon served with broccolini ($35). Dessert may arrive in the form of churro bites ($14), pecan bourbon pie ($12), and a warm cookie skillet ($12) — just three of the many options.

"A lot of my vision was from when I was younger, like 30, going out with women that wouldn't go into the typical bar. So, I wanted to build as beautiful of a place as I could so guys and girls would come, which worked," Phillipsexplained. To that end, the second Foley’s feels almost swanky — the dramatic, shimmering chandelier, the sparkly, backlit honeycomb walls, the leather banquettes — save for the televisions along the expansive bar and wall/screen that illuminates the entire back of the restaurant. A clinical psychologist by trade, Phillips stresses the hospitality aspect of Foley’s Massapequa Park. "It’s about lighting, vibe, service and food to match."

Like its older sibling, beer, wine, cocktail and happy hour deals abound. Plus, there will be food specials including a raw bar featuring shrimp, oysters and clams. Brunch runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays and the kitchen can accommodate all gluten-free requests, as it has a separate and dedicated fryer for such items.

Foley’s Massapequa Park, 1015 Park Blvd., Massapequa Park, 516-502-0888, foleysmassapequapark.com. Open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.