Tellers Restaurant Review

Housed in a former bank, Tellers resembles a soaring Greek temple. Inside, 32-foot ceilings and 6-foot sconces frame the subdued tones of the walls. The entire restaurant exudes an air of classic elegance, from its ample main dining room, to its former bank vaults (now safeguarding its wine "treasures") and its expansive copper-covered bar, aptly named the Gold Bar. Families as well as couples can enjoy this upscale eatery.

Classic banks from the early 20th century were built to resemble soaring temples of finance, and carried an air of elegance and affluence. Tellers, opened as a restaurant in 1999 in a former bank built in Islip in 1927, is a prime example. The impressive main dining room features high ceilings, and the second floor offers a more intimate space.

Excellent starters include seared scallops with morels and onions or stuffed baked clams with just a hint of spices. A raw bar features clams or oysters on the half shell, and a seafood tower with oysters, clams, shrimp, tuna, mussels and king crab. There's also sushi including the "Japanese Cowboy" Kobe beef rolls.

Tellers is all about steaks and chops. You won't be disappointed if you order their Short Bone Rib Eye or their Porterhouse. Seafood lovers can choose from a variety of offerings including striped bass with fingerling potatoes, shrimp and wild leeks in a red wine sauce, or the fresh Alaskan King crab legs.

The award-winning wine list is extensive and impressive, ranging from California Cabernets including Opus One, to the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2008.

Desserts are all home-made, including the ice creams and sorbets. I savored the decadent, delicious molten chocolate cake, and my husband enjoyed the zabaglione with fresh berries.

Looking for discounts? Enjoy Tellers' Prix Fixe Early Dinner Menu, Mon.-Fri. from 3-6 p.m., including an appetizer like fresh mozzarella & prosciutto with white truffle oil, entree like petit filet mignon, and dessert, like NY-style cheesecake, for $35 per person plus tax.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary services for review purposes. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.