Babylon's The James taking over Primehouse in Garden City
The prime rib at The James restaurant in Babylon. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Nothing seems to have changed at Primehouse Steak & Sushi, the 6-year-old Garden City restaurant steak-chop-fish house. But founder Art Gustafson left in November, succeeded by Andrew Affa and Steven Squirito, the owners of Arlo Kitchen & Bar in Northport and The James in Babylon.
Gustafson said that Affa and Squirito made him an "unsolicited offer" and that they plan to operate Primehouse through New Year’s Eve and then close for a full renovation before opening a second The James in 2026.
Primehouse is an extremely attractive restaurant but the James Gang doesn’t stop at attractive — both their restaurants are eye-poppingly swanky, bi-level venues. Situated on a wooded hilltop, Arlo (which opened in 2022) has magnificent views, which must compete with a grand piano bar and flaming baked Alaska. The James (2024) boasts capacious brasserie-style bar downstairs and (via a movie-set-worthy spiral staircase) an even grander dining room upstairs. The regular menu is full of iconic luxuries like caviar service, lobster Thermidor and beef Wellington, and every night brings a "plat du jour" such as prime rib, Dover sole or Chateaubriand for two.
Chef-owner Art Gustafson at Primehouse in Garden City. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Gustafson opened Primehouse in 2018 and earned three stars from Newsday for a "big-time production number, an appetizing entertainment aimed at a broad audience." The chef already operated two restaurants in Rockville Centre: Salsa Mexicana (which he opened in 2015) and Chadwick’s American Table & Cocktails (which he bought in 2013, after having been the chef there since 2002). He also owned the massive and ambitious Stone Street Grill from 2023 to 2024.
He said that Affa and Squirito’s offer came at the perfect time. "I’m 61 and I’ve spent 47 years breading chicken. It’s time to reap the benefits of family and friends."
Well, his family and friends probably shouldn’t cancel all their existing plans: Gustafson still owns Salsa Mexicana and Chadwicks. Now that he’s "down to two restaurants," he plans to "put that apron back on and get back in the kitchen."
