Sneak peek: The Farm Italy's new Westbury restaurant
The outdoor patio at The Farm Italy in Westbury. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
When The Farm Italy debuted in Huntington in 2023, it was one of the biggest openings of the year, transforming a Huntington Village steakhouse into a sprawling Tuscan fantasy. On Saturday, it welcomes a sibling as The Farm Italy opens in Westbury.
One of the main dining rooms at The Farm Italy in Westbury. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Similar to the Huntington original, the design mimics a sweeping Italian countryside estate, transporting guests as they enter the stunning space. Featuring two large dining rooms and a swank bar dotted with skylights, multi-tiered chandeliers, and chartreuse colored corner banquettes, the restaurant is bathed in natural light highlighting its earthy fabric -- buttery wood floors, white stone walls, black leather chairs, muted ceramic tableware. Not to be missed: The serene, covered outdoor terrace, complete with fire pit, that adds 70 seats to the 150 inside. Located at 725 Merrick Ave., this Farm is part of a collaboration with luxury developer Beechwood Homes, situated just yards away from The Selby, an upscale apartment community anchored by another of founder John Tunney’s restaurants, The Shed.
Chef Roberto Baez replicates the same seasonal menu featured in Huntington here, with starters like tagliolini ($23), a creamy, cheesy pasta dish made with Pecorino, eggs and coppa. There's a shareable antipasto platter ($32), mussels ($21), yellowfin tuna crudo ($27), and roasted artichoke ($18) with herbs in bagna cauda aioli, anchovy-rich and full of umami. Classics including calamari ($24), baked clams ($16), burrata on crostini ($19) round out the starters.
Tagliolini, a pasta dish made with Pecorino, eggs and coppa, is among the starters at The Farm Italy in Westbury. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
In the pasta category, don’t miss the signature cacio e pepe ($26), which can be found on most tables, but also pappardelle Bolognese ($32), and more seasonal offerings like spaghetti with lobster in a creamy, fra diavolo sauce, and ribbonlike malfandine with jumbo lump crab, gremolata butter, bread crumb and Fresno chile ($33). For entrees, requisite chicken, veal ($49) and eggplant Parms sit alongside fileted branzino ($41), NY strip ($72), a grilled pork chop with romesco, fingerling potatoes and watercress ($46), and a braised lamb shank with a black currant demi glaze ($40). The Farm Italy’s beverages include craft cocktails like the lemony honey bourbon ($17), wine and mocktails.
The bar room at The Farm Italy's Westbury outpost. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
"This is more than just an opening, it’s an evolution of our vision," Tunney said in a press statement. While The Farm Italy was originally going to be a one-off concept, according to Tunney, the construction of The Shed next door inspired the restaurateur. "I liked that whole corridor," he told Newsday when announcing the expansion. "It’s getting redeveloped, it’s close to — but out of the chaos of Roosevelt Field. It faces Eisenhower Park, which gives it this nice open feeling. And there’s great parking."
In addition to its flagship in Huntington, earlier this year, Tunney opened an outpost of The Farm Italy within Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun resort.
The new Westbury location is serving dinner for now, with lunch reservations to follow in the coming weeks.
The Farm Italy, 725 Merrick Ave., Westbury, 516-862-1212, thefarmItaly.com; Open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
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.
