The Study by Toast to Open at the Old Pita House Location in East Setauket This December
Toast Coffee + Kitchen is getting set to open a new restaurant called The Study by Toast in the former Pita House spot at 100-27 S Jersey Avenue in East Setauket.
In an interview with LongIslandRestaurants.com, Toast Coffee + Kitchen owner Terry Scarlatos spoke about the launch of his newest venture, The Study by Toast, set to open early December 2024. The new restaurant will bring a blend of old-fashioned charm and a unique café atmosphere that’s aimed at creating a cozy retreat for locals and students alike.
Scarlatos explained the vision behind The Study by Toast, which he says will be true to his initial concept of Toast as a coffeehouse while offering something refreshingly different for the community.
“It goes back to the original vision of Toast,” said Scarlatos in a phone interview.
The space will include counter service only, a departure from the typical waitress service offered at other Toast locations, allowing for a more relaxed vibe where guests can linger. Patrons will then have their orders brought directly to them at the table.
Located just a few miles from Stony Brook University, The Study by Toast will offer a welcoming environment for students and community members, complete with a mini-bookshop featuring a blend of new and used books. Scarlatos says that the books he will sell are meant to engage patrons with interesting topics and start conversations.
The space will also be home to the Toast Coffee + Kitchen’s new test kitchen, which will serve as a hub for all Toast locations.
This will also be Toast’s first location to roast coffee on-site, bringing a new level of freshness to its coffee offerings. The coffee will be served at all of Toast’s locations (currently Toast coffee is roasted by a third party). The team will also be making their own English muffins and other baked goods in-house.
This expansion brings the total number of Toast Coffee + Kitchen restaurants on Long Island to six, including Port Jefferson Station, Bay Shore, Patchogue, Long Beach, and Revival by Toast at the OG spot in Port Jefferson Village. (A seventh location is also planned to open early next year at Station Yards in Lake Ronkonkoma.)
The Study by Toast will offer a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, with an emphasis on customer feedback and menu experimentation. Scarlatos mentioned that they’ll be serving breakfast items, some of Toast’s signature specials, and an assortment of salads and sandwiches for lunch.
The new restaurant will feature a unique “study-like” motif.
“The atmosphere is going to be like an old-fashioned general store setting and also like a study in someone’s house,” said Scarlatos.
With booths along the back wall, a working Steinway piano, and walls adorned with conversation-starting décor, Scarlatos aims to give patrons a memorable setting that goes beyond the standard café experience.
“We don’t have to worry as much about turning over tables in this scenario because we are also selling to our other locations out of the kitchen,” he said.
Transforming the old Pita House site into The Study by Toast required extensive renovations, with Scarlatos and his team carefully crafting the space to suit the new concept.
“We had a lot we had to undo to renovate it,” he said, noting that the 60-75 seat layout and vintage-inspired design have been carefully curated to create a space that’s both functional and inviting.
The anticipated opening date for The Study by Toast is just after Thanksgiving, giving locals something to look forward to for the holiday season. With a unique ambiance, thoughtfully curated design, and a menu centered on Toast’s signature offerings, The Study by Toast is poised to become a staple in East Setauket.
“Similar to Toast, it has two meanings,” said Scarlatos, referring to the name. “It looks like a study and is a place to go to study.”
Stay tuned for more information on the grand opening and a sneak preview inside!
Photo: Jill Zucker.
