Business & Tech
Le Soir Rebirth Brings New Look But Retains Beloved Ambiance
The iconic Bayport French restaurant is back to business seven months after a fire shuttered its doors.
Few restaurants can boast the successful track record Bayport’s Le Soir has achieved.
In 35 years the small chalet-style French restaurant, at the corner of Bayport Avenue and Montauk Highway, has built a loyal fan base that extends into New York City and even out of state. So it came as no surprise to anyone that Le Soir would quickly rebound and rebuild after a fire nearly gutted the iconic eatery in the summer of 2012.
“There was never any doubt or ifs about re-opening. We got to work within the first few hours of the fire and focused on getting back to business from the word go,” said Janina Kaziewicz, who along with her husband, Michael, opened Le Soir in 1977.
“We put all our energy into getting back to business. We are so grateful for all the support and help,” she added, noting she and her husband are very grateful for the prompt response by the Bayport Fire Department and support from local businesses, customers and the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce.
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In the weeks after the fire customers sent gifts of support, including Kaziewicz’s favorite tea, as well as chocolate and offers of help.
While the footprint of Le Soir, which reopened its doors on February 6, remains the same, the rebuild has brought some exterior and interior design changes.
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The reconstruction effort revealed that the initial ceiling had actually been a dropped ceiling so it was taken out, which greatly enhances the openness of the main dining room. The former interior dark wood beams and stucco walls are gone in favor of all white walls and ceilings with subdued sconce lighting.
The dining room, while the same size, appears to be much larger, more open and yet retains the intimate classy ambiance that customers love. The small service bar, boasting the traditional exotic flower, is in the same place though a coat closet was pulled out to provide more room for easier kitchen access.
The walls still boast the beautiful artwork Le Soir is known for, and the menu remains the same. The Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday dinner special that includes soup, salad and dessert is also back.
As one patron told Patch during a recent visit, Le Soir is “everything it always was, just even better.”
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