Eric LeVine Wins Best Chef On Long Island In Bethpage Best Awards: 'It Feels Amazing'

FARMINGDALE, NY — Eric LeVine, the head chef and managing partner of 317 Main Street and Vico in Farmingdale, was named Best Chef on Long Island for a second straight year in the Bethpage Best of LI Awards.

LeVine said it feels "amazing" after he didn't know he had won.

"That was a neat surprise," he told Patch. "It’s cool. It almost comes back to my team. They do the harder work. I’ve been doing this 43 years. I’ve paid my dues time and time again. So to get that kind of recognition from the customer base and the public, they see it that way, it’s an honor. There’s nothing easy about it. There are a lot of talented, amazing chefs out there on Long Island. To be bestowed this award is kind of cool. Especially two years in a row."

LeVine won his first Best Chef on Long Island Award last year. The chef attributes his consistency to his team, "100%."

"I’m driven like nobody’s business," he said. "Every day’s a day one for me, so I’m always looking at it as, 'How can I make it better every day?' But definitely my team. They give me the latitude to do the television and all the things that are outside of the business. Or even be able to go out and talk to customers, which is a big thing for us at the restaurant. That creates a connection between the kitchen and the dining room. I can talk directly to a customer and get instant feedback. Good or bad. And then I can react to it and fix it."

LeVine said things like Yelp reviews drive him crazy given his wanting to interact with customers in the restaurant and help them have a great experience. He encouraged customers to share positive and negative feedback.

"I know my why. My why is to serve. To serve my customers, staff, family and partners. I love that. There’s nothing wrong with service. That’s what we do every day, all day. We serve. There’s nothing negative about it. It’s glorious. It’s priceless. Imagine being able to do what you love and make people happy. Who can say that? Not many people. I’m very blessed with that. Getting this award, it’s just another feather in my cap to confirm we’re doing things the right way."

Meanwhile, 317 Main Street, where he is a managing partner and the head chef, also won Best American/Continental Restaurant in the awards for the first time this year.

LeVine sees his best chef win as a team award, just like 317's victory was.

"It’s very humbling that people can look at me as a cook, as a chef and as a business owner that way. You never know when you’re in the public eye how people perceive you. To see that they’re happy with what I’m doing, that’s great. That speaks volumes. Every business struggles, but we are constantly growing and developing."

317 Main Street, a gastropub at 317 Main St., Farmingdale, also offers cooking classes, whiskey dinners, fundraisers and live music. Vico offers traditional Italian fare like pizzas and homemade pastas.

LeVine said he's honored to win the award in back-to-back years, but he does not plan on slowing down or growing complacent.

"I want it a third year," he said. "I want us to be the best, always, at what we do. That comes with the sacrifice, the long days, the long nights, the struggles, the fights and the burning. It comes from finding the balance, also, and making sure my team has everything it needs to be successful."

LeVine said he and the restaurant are at a "certain point," but he is always looking to get better. He considers every day his day one.

"It doesn’t matter what you did yesterday. And there’s no tomorrow. It’s today. How do you get better today? It’s working toward that. It’s always evolving. It’s the evolution of what we do. Our food, our service, our cocktails, our look, our vibe. 'What are we doing right?' is great. But 'What are we doing wrong and how do we fix it?' is more important."

317 Main Street has always been a popular restaurant in Farmingdale, a downtown known for its plethora of culinary options. Night in and night out, 317 is one of the village's busiest places on the strip. LeVine and the restaurant earning accolades, press and television spots has gotten more people interested in trying the venue. And the wins reinforce that 317 is doing what's right for its business and customers.

"It’s evolution. It’s a constant motion. It’s never sitting back and being OK with being OK. That’s what that complacency will do, and that will kill a business. It will kill your soul. It’s always evolution and always finding what’s next."