The Refuge Food & Spirits

December 31, 2014

The Refuge Food & Spirits, heir to Four Food Studio, is a bold, whimsical redesign that almost turns the site into a movie set with amusement-park flair. The vibe inside is eclectic, with distressed wood, no chairs that match and a pop-and-rock soundtrack. With excellent Latin fare and tasty Italian dishes, you can tell the party is just getting started.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

The Refuge Food & Spirits is a bold new restaurant in Melville.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

The bar and lounge area of The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville has undeniable flair.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

There is much distressed and re-purposed wood and nearly no chairs that match at The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

A traditional margarita, Refuge sangria and a lemon ice martini are three of the house special drinks at The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

Rigatoni and meatballs with a pork and tomato ragu topped with ricotta cheese is a hefty but tasty entree at The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

The flavorful paella dinner is served in a cast iron pot at The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville. The dish includes shrimp, mussels, chicken, clams, calamari, onions, peppers, chorizo and saffron rice.

Credit: Newsday / Audrey C. Tiernan

Coconut tres leche is a lush dessert served at the new restaurant The Refuge Food & Spirits in Melville.