At Finley’s, Seafood Is The New Star

Chef Michael Meehan is hoping to fill a void in Huntington’s bustling restaurant scene with his new seafood inspired menu at Finley’s Seafood. (Long Islander News photos/Connor Beach)

Shrimp Ceviche Tostada ($14) features shrimp, tomato, lime and jalapeno over a crisp tortilla.

The Crab Cake ($16) includes lump crabmeat, pickled pepper remoulade and roasted corn salad.

Local John Dory ($24) is served with yellow finn potatoes, baby spring onion, edamame and tomato broth.

Finley’s Lobster Roll ($22) is served on a brioche-style roll with lemon mayo, celery and old bay potato chips.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

Finley’s of Green Street in Huntington village is celebrating its 25th anniversary by making a change.

The restaurant portion of the longtime Huntington watering hole recently changed from the Cajun-themed Storyville to Finley’s Seafood under the direction of new head chef Michael Meehan.

Meehan, who is also the chef at Vauxhall and Radio/Radio in Huntington village, has a strong seafood background having worked in restaurants like the old Seafood Barge in Southold.

Meehan partnered with Finley’s owner Sandra Finley and manager Scott Savitt to fill what the trio felt was a missing piece in Huntington’s extensive restaurant scene.

“Since we released the new menu I have had people say to me that it’s about time that there was a seafood place in town,” Savitt said.

Finley said the restaurant’s customers have embraced the change, something you have to be prepared to do to survive for over two decades in a constantly evolving market like Huntington.

In addition to the new seafood-inspired menu, Finley’s will continue to offer an updated version of its tavern menu for customers of both the bar and the restaurant, and its New Orleans-style Sunday brunch.

Finley said she was excited that Meehan wanted to create a menu with a focus on sustainable seafood and local ingredients.

Meehan described the food as contemporary, New England-style seafood that includes both traditional classics and new flavors.

One classic seafood appetizer is the Crab Cake ($16) that includes lump crabmeat, pickled pepper remoulade and roasted corn salad. The crab cake is cooked perfectly, with a nice sear that gives way to rich crab that complemented by the texture and sweetness that is added by the corn. The remoulade adds just the right amount of spice to round out a delicious dish.

Also under appetizers, the Shrimp Ceviche Tostada ($14) features shrimp, tomato, lime and jalapeno over a crisp tortilla. The fresh, cold dish has a bright acidity that leaves the taste buds bursting with flavor, while the crispy tortilla adds enough salt to leave the dish perfectly balanced.

A popular entree is the Local John Dory ($24) with yellow finn potatoes, baby spring onion, edamame and tomato broth. The dish is well composed to allow the subtle flavor of the flakey, white meat fish to shine through. A lot of thought has clearly gone into creating a sauce and vegetables that build taste without overpowering the milder fish.

No New England-style seafood menu is complete without a good lobster roll. Finley’s Lobster Roll ($22) is served on a brioche-style roll with lemon mayo, celery and old bay potato chips. The decadent flavor of the fresh lobster is the star of the dish, while the celery adds texture. The soft roll soaks up the lemon mayo from the lobster salad, and the crispy, salty chips keep diners coming back for more.

Finley said that after 25 years in business, Finley’s customers continue to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement.

She said, “We are so lucky here in Huntington because our customers always come out looking to have a good time.”

Finley’s Seafood has taken over the 43 Green St. space that was previously home to Storyville.