The Milleridge Inn reopens in Jericho

The historic Milleridge Inn has reopened in Jericho with a spruced-up dining room, new menus and a (mostly) new staff running the nostalgic eatery, which dates back to 1672.

In August, the sprawling eatery closed temporarily for renovations, a step that owner Butch Yamali — who took over the restaurant 10 years ago — said was necessary to bring the historic restaurant and catering hall into the modern age.

"From air conditioning to heating to lighting, we needed an upgrade," Yamali said. The bar area was renovated (and bustling on a recent night). All of the floors were resurfaced, and the dining rooms boast new chairs, silverware and tableware. 

Some things haven't changed: Regulars to the restaurant can still count on complimentary popovers and housemade loaves of cinnamon bread to kick off your meal. Likewise, traditionalists will still find classics such as meat loaf ($29) and chicken potpie ($24) on the revamped menus.

But modern and more playful starters include Corporal’s Cauliflower, crispy cauliflower tossed in a ginger teriyaki sauce ($16) and lightly fried salmon bites with tzatziki dipping sauce ($19). There are lobster tacos ($26), build-your-own burgers, a no-bread eggplant sandwich ($24) and six featured salads including a BLT version ($21) piled high with iceberg, tomatoes, bacon and blue cheese. For new entrées, Musket Milanese ($30) is made with chicken, while salmon is served with creamy risotto and asparagus ($32) and turkey gumbo loaded with andouille sausage ($25).

Renovations extended to the adjacent village of shops, which is still in the throes of a face-lift. The on-site bakery has been upgraded and there are new bakers and a new line of cookies. "We are now baking throughout the day, as opposed to once at 5 in the morning, so you can smell the cinnamon bread all the time," Yamali said. Ready-made quiches will join the bakery menu next.

The staff is almost entirely new, as well. "We got over 2,900 applications during our staffing process," Yamali said.

For this season, Abracadabra, the downtown Manhattan Halloween shop, has set up on property, adding spooky decor and refreshed installations like the haunted house. Yamali said he is working on adding licensed gelato and coffee, plus a vineyard-themed retail shop.

The Milleridge's history dates back to 1672, when one of the early settlers to the area, Mary Willets, built a two-room house with a central fireplace that still exists on the property. The village expanded slowly and The Milleridge remains one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the country.

The Milleridge Inn, 585 N. Broadway, Jericho, 516-931-2201, milleridgeinn.com. Open noon-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon- 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

By Marie Elena Martinez

marieelena.martinez@newsday.com@mariesworlds

A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.