
3 new outdoor dining spots on Long Island
The new patio at Okaru in Roslyn seats 30 diners. Credit: Okaru
Al fresco dining is one of the pure pleasures of the summer dining season. There's just something about eating outside in the fresh air, blue sky overhead, gentle breeze, cold beverage in hand. Add cotton candy sunsets and local ingredients, and Long Island clearly has an edge. From patios to verandas, sidewalk seating to contained courtyards, all are a bonus to any restaurant's menu offerings.
While most seafood spots offer seaside seating, it's rare to find Asian fusion spots with outdoor dining. However, in a twist of timing, there are three relatively new restaurants that are serving up Eastern flavors on grand patios. If you're craving Japanese or South Asian, these spots deliver on the sunny, summertime vibes.
Okaru
1401 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn
Set in a leafy, green space that belies its Northern Boulevard location, Okaru's new patio has oversize dark umbrellas, low-slung black chairs and al fresco dining for 30 people.
The historic property that now houses Okaru lay vacant for nearly two decades. Built in 1890, the building retains its original bay windows, anchoring the two-story space adorned with white oak floors and tables, reclaimed wood with live edges from upstate barns and farms, and a cool, Zen vibe. Taking a page from its big cousin, Manhattan’s Bond St., there's a vast menu of both sushi and hot dishes from chef Marc Spitzer that are rooted in Eastern culinary tradition, like tuna tarts, paper-thin sheets of raw tuna draped over crisp gyoza wrappers, brushed with truffled ponzu and crowned with microgreens or oysters dressed with ponzu, jalapeño and chili crisp.
Hot dishes include spicy, crispy shrimp and a more hearty branzino with charred eggplant. New summer drinks like the Minted Kyori with muddled cucumber, mint leaves, vodka, yuzu, and lime or the lychee martini with lavender syrup pair perfectly on the summer patio. Some seasonal menu items include a crispy soft shell crab roll with masago, endive and chili garlic ponzu; grilled king salmon with ikura with spring peas, soy bean and cherry blossom soy; and grilled Long Island squid with yellow tomato gazpacho, Japanese cucumber and watermelon. More info: okaruroslyn.com
Saffire
6330 Jericho Tpke., Commack

The patio at Saffire in Commack. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Saffire South Asian restaurant in Commack, which took over the Il Toscano space, is Chani Singh's new Indian-Pakistani-Afghan-Nepali hybrid spot, a rarity among local South Asian restaurants. It accommodates up to 100 diners outside on a large patio shaded by plants, and set back far enough off Jericho Turnpike to feel otherworldly. Another rarity: a full bar.
"As soon as he [the real estate broker] showed it to me, I took it," Singh told Newsday when Saffire opened. "There’s nothing for South Asians in this area, and really very little fine-dining Indian anywhere."
Settle into the shaded space and enjoy traditional dishes including small plates like samosas, paani puri and kathi rolls; curries such as tikka masala, korma, vindaloo and kadai (ginger, chilies and cilantro); kebabs such as seekh (minced lamb and chicken), lamb boti and paneer.
There are whole tandoori chickens, biryanis and other rice dishes and a full panoply of breads, plus a daily lunch buffet ($25) and Sunday brunch featuring Indian breakfast specialties.
More info: 631-486-2808
Jade Eatery & Lounge
1029 Port Washington Blvd., Port Washington
Thai green curry with chicken at Jade Eatery & Lounge in Port Washington. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
The former Waterzooi (then Mesita) opened in May as Jade Eatery & Lounge, part of a local mini-chain owned by Arun Kumar that started in Forest Hills, Queens. Now, the large restaurant has opened a patio space running the perimeter of the restaurant that is tastefully accented by potted plants.
With a menu that hopscotches through Japan, Thailand, China and India (as well as the Hakka repertoire of Chinese restaurants in India), apps range from crab Rangoon to coconut shrimp with mango sweet chili to sriracha wings and steamed dumplings There are seven soups (think tom kha, miso, hot and sour), a full sushi menu and more than 50 hot entrees divided among steak, lamb, chicken, seafood, noodles, rice, vegetarian and tacos. The 38 "Mughlai kitchen" entrees encompass tandoor, biryani and more South Asian dishes. Add bar snacks and lunch specials and you’re looking at more than 100 options.
The patio has tables for four where you can sip on summer and nosh on Asian fusion. More info: 516-786-0009, jadeeatery.com.