Whale’s Tale Extends Season into Fall

It’s been an uphill road for Northport’s Whale’s Tale at the Britannia Yachting Center, but the local restaurant is now enjoying its success and community support as it looks to extend its business into the fall season this year.

In its first two years of business, owner Sosh Andriano faced a slew of legal battles having to do with noise complaints, alcohol and zoning restrictions. Having grown up in the area, Andriano took the grievances to heart.

“The last thing I wanted to do was be that guy that was upsetting people. I like it here. I grew up here. That took a toll personally on me,” he said.

The restaurant and Village came to an agreement last year, which included a limitation of holding four large events per year, and for the first time, Whale’s Tale was complaint-free this year. Andriano is now looking forward to extending the business into the fall.

“This is the first year we’ve been unchallenged so now we can focus on the food and service. We’re fortunate to be growing. We can now invest money back into the business,” he said.

Part of that investment is to make Whale’s Tale a three-season restaurant.

Andriano has added removable glass panels and a heating system, so that customers can enjoy the harbor view, without having to endure the autumn chill into October and November.

The menu will also boast hearty fall favorites including a section of “Mac-Attacks,” featuring lobster mac and cheese, pulled pork mac and cheese and fillet mac and cheese. Other items will include seafood paella, pulled pork sandwiches, jambalaya, tacos, appetizers, chicken wings and an extensive burger selection.

There are also a dozen craft beers on tap, including Oktoberfest and Pumpkin Spice for fall. The restaurant also now has a larger wait staff and more full-time, salaried employees.

“I feel confident that we will get a good October and November. I’m hoping people will enjoy it into the fall,” the owner said.

The Whale’s Tale Taco Tuesday has become a major hit with customers. The restaurant sold 3,119 tacos in one day last month. Andriano said in a previous interview with Patch that he might make one of the restaurant’s four big events a taco eating contest.

Another new addition to the restaurant is its computer system, which during the summer, will allow customers to place orders from their boats. “We will come out and drop food off right at the boat,” Andriano said.

He said that the new computer system would help alleviate foot traffic, which will help lessen the wait for a table that can sometimes last up to two hours on a busy summer day.

Despite its early legal battles, a Whale’s Tale is now going strong.

“Through the legal process, we cleaned everything up. We’ve always been a family restaurant and I always wanted to be a good neighbor,” Andriano said.

Now, the Whale’s Tale’s rocky beginning is stamped on the restaurant walls with news articles printed on the wall paper, showcasing its journey to becoming a local staple.

“The high point for us was support from the community. It was a feeling I can’t explain,” Andriano said. “We know that without the guests, we don’t have a business.”

Whale’s Tale has a 20-year lease at its location and it appears that the restaurant will continue to be a local favorite.

“We’re hoping to keep the party going,” Andriano said.