New Owners Put Fresh, Modern Twist on Trata

The owners of Georgica Restaurant and Lounge in Wainscott have partnered with their former general manager on a new venture — taking over Water Mill Greek restaurant Trata.

Having purchased the restaurant, which was the last remaining of three Tratas that once existed from New York to the Hamptons, the three new owners have breathed her life into the space while retaining everything that made it great.

"We're following the same menu," partner Sal Biundo said, adding, "We're putting a more modern twist on things." It is expanding from just Greek food to a broader selection of Mediterranean inspired dishes.

The market-style display of fish, lobsters and oysters in ice that became an attraction at Trata remains, as does the view into the kitchen. Chef Sergio Chacat, a veteran of the Trata that was in Roslyn, runs that kitchen.

"We're keeping what Trata is, but we're making the food fresher — better ingredients, better quality," Biundo said.

Biundo formerly owned a restaurant in Pennsylvania, but for the past two years he managed Georgica for Sean Kehlenbeck and David Schulman. Now, they are partners at Trata.

When they took over Trata, they gave it a facelift. The walls have been repainted with lavender accents, and potted herbs are displayed around the dining room. An indoor area formerly for dining tables now has a long, windy couch, like a double-sided banquet, to sit and order drinks.

On Thursdays, the emphasis is put on the bar and lounge. The bar has two sides, one inside for sitting to enjoy a drink and appetizer, and one outside for ordering drinks to enjoy in the outdoor lounge, which has cushioned seating and umbrellas, and lights strung in the plantings.

At the bar and lounge, cocktails and the bar menu are half off all night on Thursdays. The bar menu includes appetizers such as tuna tartare, grilled octopus, lamb sliders, and "Trata spreads," a dish that includes pita bread and five different Greek spreads to enjoy on it: tarama, tzatziki, skordalia, tirokafteri and melitzanosalata. The cocktail menu features white sangria, watermelon martinis, blueberry mojitos, and more.

On Saturdays, a deejay spins from 9 p.m. until late.   

Sunday through Thursday, a $25 three-course prix fixe is available all night.

An outdoor space for private events can accommodate up to 125 guests.

Through mid-September, Trata will be open for dinner six days a week, closed Mondays. The kitchen is open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. on weeknights and until late on weekends.