Closed in Oceanside: Lawson Pub

Long Island has bid adieu to Lawson Pub, which made its debut near the Oceanside LIRR station in 2011. Shortly thereafter, the place garnered a three-star review for such dishes as shrimp and clams casino and a crazy bacon and lobster salad-topped burger. But in 2012, the gastropub was hit by superstorm Sandy and never fully rebounded.

So, now, chef-owner Joseph Bonacore is reinventing it. Within the coming weeks, Bonacore and his crew will be at work renovating with the aim to reopen as an Italian restaurant called Fiamma (Italian for “flame”). This, Bonacore explained, isn’t only because he will be serving flame-grilled items, but also because he got “the flame to move forward.” The Italian menu, he said, will include a few twists on classic items and feature such dishes as a 12-inch pizza started on the flame grill and finished in a 600-degree oven, stem-on roasted artichokes, house-made paglia e fieno (straw and hay pasta), as well as a grilled beet salad.

Bonacore said he hopes to reopen within a few weeks. We will keep you posted.