Roots in Sea Cliff closes
Photograph of the restaurant Roots at 242 Sea Cliff Avenue, Sea Cliff for Eats. From left: Karen and Richard Santoro, parents of David Santoro, chef owner, in the bar area, which also has tables for dining. February 8, 2007 (Newsday/ Ken Spencer ) Credit: Ken Spencer
Long Island just lost one of its most charming and compelling restaurants; Roots in Sea Cliff has closed.
Chef owner David Santoro opened Roots five years ago. He had spent the previous two years hand-crafting its furniture out of reclaimed wood and wrought iron, with help from his parents, Karen and Richard Santoro, who also managed the restaurant and tended bar. In a Newsday review, the little Tudor-style cottage was described as “ a place of odd angles and cozy crannies.”
Santoro's repertoire at Roots, a mix of rustic Italian and American dishes, was executed with skill and imagination using responsibly sourced ingredients. His delectable fish cakes and bacon-wrapped meat loaf are comforts I’ll long remember.
An email from Santoro cited, as reason for closing, an inability to come to terms with the landlord on a bid to purchase the place. Santoro is currently hatching plans for an organic and locally sourced product line. He will be doing some catering, as well. To see what Santoro is up to, check his website, rootsforlife.com.
Above: Richard, Karen and David Santoro at Roots in 2007
