'Breathtaking' Holiday Display Fills LI Restaurant

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — Christmas is definitely in the air at Frank's Steaks in Rockville Centre.

With the help of an interior decorator and stage production designer, the restaurant is in the holiday spirit.

"I truly feel that I hired the best in the industry when it comes to holiday decorating," Chris Meyer, co-owner of Frank's Steaks, said. "I am beyond impressed [with] what has transpired here."

Michael Delahanty, a former maitre d' at the steakhouse, runs his own company in Malverne. Delahanty and his assistant, Colin O'Leary, transformed the entire eatery into a full display. You can see the Facebook Live below, but they created an atmosphere that looks like the Christmas tree is hanging above the patrons.

"We totally were in synch, there was no discussion," Delahanty said of the direction for the project.

They worked occasional 24-hour stretches as their vision came to light.

"Once your creative process gets going, you don't want it to stop," Delahanty told Patch.

It took Delahanty and O'Leary more than 67 hours and they still have more work to do. Plus, they had to shop for various items to display and bring them to the restaurant.

"This project is not for the faint of heart," Delahanty joked. "It really was very exhausting."

However, it is worth it when customers take a few minutes to stare at their masterpiece.

"To see people's faces, especially children, when they walk into the restaurant, is just amazing," Delahanty said.

Patrons will get until the end of January to enjoy the extended scenery and have the chance to win a $50 gift certificate if they can guess the number of lights used.

Also interactive with dinner goers, they will ask people if they want to bring personal ornaments to hang each year.

Since COVID-19 a year ago, Meyer looks to the display as a gift of sorts for the community.

"We overcame endless obstacles to be here and what has transpired is breathtaking," Meyer said. "We did this to put a smile on people's faces. It's been a really rough run for many people and their families."