The Overlook returns to Long Beach

Rebecca Rogak/ Herald

Brett Shelby, left, owner Mark Evangelista and Kasper Grochowalski at the newly reopened Overlook at the Beach on New York Avenue.

Rebecca Rogak/ Herald

After nearly three years of rebuilding and cutting through red tape, brothers Patrick and Mark Evangelista recently reopened the doors of The Overlook at the Beach.

“We’re looking forward to a nice sunny, hot summer without any rain,” Patrick said. “Also looking forward to re-meeting all our customers and friends we made out there the first summer we were there.”

The Overlook at the Beach, at 5 New York Ave. — the former site of Vito’s on the Beach — initially opened in the spring of 2012 and was shuttered just months later when Hurricane Sandy struck.

“It’s been a long and arduous process,” Mark Evangelista said. “We lost everything.”

Now, the repairs are done and Mark said that he’s looking forward to returning to the community he loves.

“I think this is the best place to be in New York in the summer time,” he added. “I’ve always been coming out here and loved it. I actually moved into the West End this year.”This week marks the restaurant’s fulltime reopening, following a series of three-day weekends after a soft grand re-opening on Memorial Day.

The brothers also have a series of acoustic musical performances planned every Saturday and Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m. throughout the summer, and intend to add Friday dates as well. Chris Long — a Long Beach local — and Barry Waller kicked off the series on June 13 and 14. According to Patrick, the plan is to highlight Long Island musicians every weekend.

Special care was taken to create a menu that reflects the restaurant’s beachfront location, the owners said, and their head chef, Christopher Craan, previously worked at the Allegria Hotel.

Mark, a sommelier, said he selected the “best beach drinks” and wine for the season, while Patrick described the menu as “comfort food” that’s similar to what they serve at their New York City location, but tweaked for the beach with the addition of seafood. Response from the community, particularly on the Overlook’s Facebook page, has been extremely positive, they said.

“Everybody’s loved it,” Mark added. “We’re just waiting for the weather to cooperate properly.”