Owners of the Newly Opened Honey’s Bistro in Glen Head Say Great Hospitality is Just as Important as Great Food
The owners of a new restaurant that opened on January 4th in Glen Head called Honey’s Bistro say that it’s as much about offering a good experience to the community they serve as making great food.
“Hospitality and service are just as important as the food,” Co-owner Patrick O’Halloran told Long Island Restaurants recently in a phone interview at his new spot. “We’re not looking to be just another store. We want to create a culture.”
O’Halloran along with childhood friend and co-owner Matt Suckle have had a lot of success in the industry. O’Halloran has owned and operated the 200-seat Park Place Restaurant in New Hyde Park for over 15 years. Suckle owned NY Chicken and Rice in Glen Cove, which he recently sold. So the veteran restaurateurs know what works and they were able to combine forces to make that happen with Honey’s Bistro.
“We’ve been best friends since we were kids,” said O’Halloran. “ We worked together in the past and were always looking for an opportunity to come together.”
The new 30-seat bistro takes up the spot at 6 Railroad Avenue, formerly Flourish Bakeshop, which in 2022 replaced Iron Horse Restaurant and Bar. They have counter service and once you order they will run the food to your table. Daily from 8am to 11am they have baked goods and coffee until the kitchen opens at 11am until 8pm, except Sunday when they are closed.
The name, according to O’Halloran, was inspired by a family dachshund; a silhouette of a dachshund is featured in their logo and some names of both their individual family’s pets are incorporated into some of the menu items.
Honey’s Bistro specializes in homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and fresh baked goods among a number of other choices.
The menu items have whimsical names like Et Tu,Brute?, grilled chicken, romaine, Caesar dressing, grated parmigiano on focaccia bread or the Harissa Explains It All, Harissa fried chicken, coleslaw, pickles, tandoori sauce on a potato bun. There is the Eat Jerk, Don’t Be One bowl which has jerk chicken, sweet plantains, mac salad, grilled zucchini, spicy corn, coleslaw, cilantro, and aioli over white rice. And their French Fries are hand cut and fired in beef tallow, which adds to the flavor and according to O’Halloran is a more European way of making them.
The menu items accentuate their philosophy on running Honey’s Bistro, which is approachable and friendly.
“The names are a play on our personalities,” he said. “It’s a reflection of who we are as people; a calm chill vibe.”
At one time, there were plans to open a location in Farmingdale at the former Grecian Grill location but plans fell through last Fall so they searched for another spot. The space at 6 Railroad Avenue was exactly what the owners were looking for.
“When we saw this space it spoke to us,” said O’Halloran. “We knew it was the perfect space.”
The owners have plans for the restaurant beyond the bistro. They will offer catering soon and they have a full liquor license.
“Fridays and Saturdays we’re going to change over into a boutique cocktail bar from 8pm to midnight,” said O’Halloran.
Honey’s Bistro is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. They are closed on Sunday.
Where: 6 Railroad Avenue, Glen Head, (516) 943-9500, honeys-bistro.com.
📷 Honey’s Bistro website and Gold Coast Business Association Facebook Group.
