Brewer Capri Marina's Newest Addition in Port Washington

Formerly and then , Marino’s on the Bay is the newest in Port Washington's waterfront restaurant scene.

The property was purchased in April by Paul Marino. One look at the views of Manhasset Bay, and he was sold.

Though this is his first restaurant, Marino comes from a strong background in the food industry. Many of his family members own restaurants, and Marino owned Marino Brothers, an Italian supermarket that he started in the 1980s.

A month into renovating his new seaside eatery, Marino met the man who would soon become his executive chef, Mario Coiro. Coiro had been a chef for 20 years and an executive chef for 17 years, including at Bruzells in nearby Great Neck. He had been out of the kitchen for a year when he met Marino, and decided he missed being in the kitchen too much. The two have been working on the restaurant together ever since.

“The place was falling in the water before Paul bought it,” Coiro said. “We’ve been taking the battles day by day. Cleanliness, consistency and organization are our keys to success.”

Marino’s on the Bay opened officially the first week of June. Its menu offers mainly seafood and Italian food.

“You can find everything from a burger to Chilean sea bass wrapped in rice paper,” Coiro said.

The idea of Marino’s on the Bay was that it be “touchable upper class,” Coiro said. Prices range from $10 for a panini on the lunch menu to $39 for twin lobster tails.

But the food – half their produce is currently purchased locally – is only part of the equation. The other ingredient at Marino's is the view.

“You’re not going to get more on the water than this,” Coiro said. The restaurant stands on stilts over Manhasset Bay, overlooking the marina. 

Marino wants everyone to feel at home at the restaurant.

“He’s one of the best people I’ve ever worked for,” said Coiro. “Everybody’s family, even customers.”