St. James Restaurant Closes After 16 Years In Business

ST. JAMES, NY - A popular St. James restaurant recently shut down after over 16 years in business.

Kitchen A Bistro, located on 404 North Country Road, had its last dinner service on Saturday, owner Eric Lomando announced on the restaurant's website.

In a letter to the community, Lomando stated that as he entered the final year of the lease to the business, he chose to close the restaurant in order to "simplify his life" as he prepares to turn 40.

"The restaurant business is extremely demanding and requires great sacrifice," he wrote. "Operating multiple restaurants even more so."

He plans to focus more on his other restaurant, Orto, located on 90 North Country Road in Miller Place. Lombardo stated that he wantes to get back to doing what he loves, being a chef.

In the letter, Lomando also thanks many of the people involved in the business:

"First and foremost, I would like to thank all those who have been a part of the restaurant over the years. I have formed friendships that I believe will last the rest of my life. I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with wonderful, talented people who gave so much of themselves to the restaurants. They all have given so much for my dream, and I only hope that I was able to offer them as much. I have had the great pleasure to serve some of the greatest guests I could have imagined. I watched my modest ambition of a neighborhood restaurant serving good food, become something much more. It has been an amazing and incredibly rewarding experience to interact with all of you over the years. I have made friends, watched children grow, and been able to witness so many special moments and occasions.

Photo: Facebook.com/Kitchen A Bistro