Mill Pond in Centerport reopens after renovation
One of the prettiest water view restaurants on Long Island just got better: Mill Pond House, which was built in 1909, has reopened after a complete renovation in Centerport.
"It’s taken four and a half months, we shut down in January," said co-owner Carter Messan who, with Johnny Heil, took over the historic property in 2022. Get ready to be wowed — it’s hard to believe it’s the same restaurant.
Dining with view at view at the renovated Mill Pond Steak and Seafood in Centerport. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Once the servants’ quarters of the grand Wigemore estate, a summer retreat for Charles Morse Whitney, a prominent New York City attorney, this Mill Pond is light, bright and airy, tricked out with a massive center bar that anchors the new space. The patio dining room offers spectacular sunset views. Upstairs, the private dining room has also been refitted with an enlarged veranda for al fresco dining.
The menu sticks to its meat and fish-friendly roots, "moving away from the heavier, red-sauce Italian American influence," Messan said, with "more emphasis on the steak and the seafood." Lighter pastas like lobster pappardelle ($46) and shrimp scampi linguine ($39) join filet mignon and shrimp or lobster "surf and turf," accompanied by mashed potatoes and asparagus ($58 — $78), halibut over a delicate sunchoke puree ($48), miso-glazed black cod, parmesan-crusted pork chop and a cuts of meat from a 22-oz. rib-eye ($78) to Australian lamb chops ($52 — $78) to a 40 oz. Porterhouse ($150).
Blistered tomatoes topped with blue cheese at Mill Pond Steak and Seafood in Centerport. Credit: Newsday/Marie Elena Martinez
Start with a wedge salad with candied walnuts ($18), a decadent, melty stracciatella cheese with figs and pistachios ($18) served alongside crostini and robust, tangy roasted tomatoes topped with blue cheese ($12). For dessert, the Blondie bottom banana cream pie is a must.
Mill Pond Steak and Seafood, 437 E. Main St., Centerport, 631-261-7633, millpondrestaurant.com; Open Monday through Thursday 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
