Singh family restaurant CoolFish closes in Syosset

The iconic Syosset restaurant CoolFish is now shuttered. 

Hidden away in an office building, the dining spot launched 15 years ago under the aegis of chef-restaurateur Tom Schaudel. Its ambitious seafood-slanted repertoire garnered three stars from Newsday's Peter M. Gianotti in 2000 and earned that same rating in 2012 when reviewed again.

In 2013, the restaurant was sold to the Singh Hospitality Group headed by Harendra Singh and was later transferred to Gold Coast Hospitality, owned by his wife, Ruby Singh. The restaurant has not been re-reviewed since coming under Singh ownership.

Thursday, a sign posted on its door in Syosset stated that CoolFish has "relocated" to Upstairs at the Woodlands, situated in the Woodlands Mansion on the Town of Oyster Bay Golf Course in Woodbury. According to Marvin Licona, chef at Upstairs at the Woodlands, that restaurant is still open but will shortly be changing its name to CoolFish, as well as revising its menu. The Singh Hospitality Group has refused to comment.

Singh has operated food and beverage service at the golf course under a long-term concessions agreement with the Town of Oyster Bay since 2001. Last week, Singh was indicted on 13 federal criminal charges including bribing a public official to get the town to guarantee loans for capital construction at the golf course and Tobay Beach. Singh pleaded not guilty. Ruby Singh has not been charged with any crimes.