Long Island Pekin Hopes To Open In Babylon Village Next Month

BABYLON VILLAGE, NY - Jason Lee may still be new to Long Island, but he's certainly not new to the restaurant industry.

The Merrick resident will soon be opening the new Chinese restaurant, Long Island Pekin, over on 96 E. Main Street in Babylon Village.

This will be the 12th restaurant that Lee has owned, including the upscale Chinese restaurant Phillipe in Manhattan which he sold in 2011, but the first restaurant he will open on Long Island.

"I saw an opportunity because everything I do serve in my other restaurants I can pick and choose some of the great items that have been popular over the years and bring them to Babylon," he told Patch.

He will be bringing authentic duck and dumplings to Long Island so that residents don't have travel to Queens or Manhattan to get the best Chinese cuisine.

While the menu will include "peking duck," the name purposely leaves out the "g" since during his research, Lee discovered that the breed of Long Island duck he uses is called "pekin."

The restaurant will include condensed menu rather than a large Asian fusion menu specializing in handmade dumplings and peking duck.

Long Island Pekin will also offer more modern dumplings with fillings like "chicken pot pie" and goat cheese and short ribs. In addition, customers can enjoy traditional fried rice, spring rolls, bao and noodle dishes.

While the restaurant will be the smallest Lee has owned at 1,500 square-feet with 64 seats, he still plans on bringing the upscale service from his Manhattan restaurants. Despite the upscale service customers can expect a more casual vibe.

"We've been fortunately very well received," Lee said. "A lot of people are excited for us to open because it is unique and in my experience the town has been so kind."

Lee is very excited to open in the area which he says has a "huge family dynamic" compared to Manhattan. He is also looking forward to meeting new customers.

A fun fact he wanted to share with future customers is that he used to do magic and loves bowling.

Long Island Pekin is currently accepting take out and delivery orders but has not yet officially opened its restaurant.

An exact opening date has not yet been scheduled, but Lee says he hopes to open early next month between June 5th and 9th.

Get an inside look into the new space in the video below: