Meet the Owner of Primi Italian Steakhouse

Meet Frank Bono, one of the owners of Primi Italian Steakhouse in West Islip.

Bono, along with Michael Webber, opened up the restaurant on Montuak Highway in January 2016.

In less than a year, their restaurant has received rave reviews from the New York Times, Newsday and more.

Bono spoke to Patch to tell us about his restaurant.

Patch: What is your favorite thing about owning a restaurant?

Bono: Interacting with our guests and growing the business.

Patch: What do you want people to know about your restaurant?

Bono: We put a lot of love, time and dedication into providing a great dining experience

Patch: What food item are you most excited about?

Bono: Our dry aged steaks and our house made pastas.

Patch: What advice would you give to other restaurant owners?

Bono: I would advise them to be as hands on as possible. to be on premise and accessible not only to the guests but to their employees as well

Patch: What made you want to open your restaurant in West Islip?

Bono: I love the neighborhood - I grew up in Brightwaters and I went to school at St. John the Baptist in West Islip. I always knew i wanted to put down roots in this community and opening Primi was just the first step.

Patch: What do you like the most about West Islip?

Bono: It is centrally located between two great towns Bay Shore and Babylon and is easy to get to from just about anywhere on Long Island. I also love that it is in the neighborhood I care so much about. It is great to see so many familiar faces and getting to meet new ones.

Patch: What have you learned since opening your restaurant?

Bono: I am learning new things everyday and responding to what my guests want on a daily basis. we are constantly improving things. i do not believe we have the best recipe for success, it a recipe that has to continuously be refined and improved. that is one of the benefits to hands on ownership – being able to see and respond. That is a key component to running a successful business

Patch: Anything else you would like to add?

Bono: My grandmother owned a restaurant in Babylon Village when i was young called Tre Amici. She closed it when I was 6 years old. I am now 27 and opened Primi less then 5 minutes from her old restaurant. Her old regulars come here now. The restaurant business seems to be part of my genetic makeup.