Pearl Kitchen & Cocktails opens in Old Bethpage

Elevated comfort food is on the menu at Pearl Kitchen and Cocktails in Old Bethpage, a new restaurant dreamed up by four partners who run other Long Island eateries.

The owners, some of whom are childhood friends from Montreal, “had always wanted to do something together,” said Reno Christou, who is also a partner at Kyma in Roslyn. They saw an opening for a “neighborhood-centric place” in Old Bethpage.

“Maybe the ladies are dropping their kids off at the dance studio next door,” Christou said. “Now they can come next door to have an oyster, a glass of wine.” It's a place families or young professionals can get a high-end experience “without having to go to the Miracle Mile or city for that feel.” he said.

Pearl’s prices reflect that intention. The highest-priced menu item — 14-ounce strip steak frites — costs $32. There’s a pork chop with hot cherry peppers for $29, salmon with black lentils and a bourbon glaze for $28. More casual: a roasted beet bowl ($18) with arugula, goat cheese, candied walnuts and quinoa that can be topped with shrimp, salmon, tuna or chicken. Flatbreads go simple (Margherita, $16) to complex (the “West Coast” has chicken, avocado, bacon jam, tomatoes and Cheddar Jack cheese, $18). Starters range from hummus and pita ($12) to a barely-breaded bang bang shrimp ($16), tuna tartar ($19) and a classic Canadian poutine ($13). Spring will bring lunch, brunch, and happy hour.

The bar is an integral part of the restaurant, taking up nearly a third of the space. Christou said the owners made a decision to move away from draft beer, favoring “elevated and eclectic” options such as high-end bourbon.

Pearl Kitchen & Cocktails, 746 Old Bethpage Rd., Old Bethpage, 516-620-4660, pearlbethpage.com; Open Sunday through Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m., Thursday through Sunday from 5 to 11 p.m.

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.