The White Whale reopens in Seaford after nearly six years

Tom Frintzilas has a strong connection to his new Seaford eatery, The White Whale: He went from holding his wedding reception there in 1999 to being its new owner.

After a nearly six-year hiatus, the 3,800-square-foot waterside eatery has reopened after a full renovation and pivot to a new menu.

"The White Whale has been a beacon of the community for the longest time," Frintzilas said. Its previous iteration was open from 1990 through 2019 and served German fare. Transforming the space and overhauling the menu has been "like getting married again," he said.

The new interior has seating for 75 and features high ceilings, a backlit bar and nautical decor. A rear outdoor dining area has a view of the canal. General manager Angelo Belesis, who is Frintzilas' godson, helped with the design. "We physically drove to Goshen, New York, just to get all the live-edge wood," Belesis said. "There’s a lot of love put into this place by both of us."

Chef Joe Macchia's eclectic take on American fare includes smoked chicken wings (12 for $22) with miso garlic glaze, scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Loaded nachos come topped with housemade chorizo, stone fruit pico and sour cream ($13). German-style soft pretzel sticks ($12) with mustard and ranch dressing wink to the location's former identity. Dinner entrées, available after 4 p.m., include lobster with spaghetti ($36), New York strip steak ($44) plus fish and chips ($26).

Frintzilas, a mechanic, said he's always wanted to own a restaurant. While using some savings to buy a "Lamborghini or two, or a big yacht" has its perks, he was more motivated to "build something that I could pass on to my kids" that would also be a "beacon of the community" and save the location from redevelopment.

A lunch menu is being finalized, Belesis said, and other ideas include happy hours, German and disco nights, plus live music.

The White Whale Restaurant, 3580 Bayview St., Seaford, thewhitewhaleli.com, 516-765-3043. Open 2 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.