The revolving-door corner at Middle Neck Road and Northern Boulevard is getting another reboot, as Novah, a new Mediterranean restaurant from the Pashalis family, moves into the former Seven Seas Diner space in Great Neck. After a run of short-lived concepts on that block, the owners say a tighter concept and a family-run operation could finally give the intersection some staying power.
According to Newsday, the family is aiming to open Novah by November 2026, with a Mediterranean menu modeled on their Manhattan spot Dear Margo. Executive chef Efraim “Efi” Naon is expected to oversee both kitchens, and owner Nick Pashalis told the paper the Great Neck space will get a full cosmetic overhaul, including raising the ceiling by about two feet before reopening.
Menu and team
Novah’s menu will lean on the hits from Dear Margo: laffa, mezze and grilled plates that have been drawing attention since the Manhattan restaurant opened on the Upper East Side in March. Eater NY reported that Naon, who has led kitchens at well-known Manhattan restaurants, is steering Dear Margo’s menu and will adapt that playbook for Great Neck.
Space's troubled track record
The address has history, and not all of it comforting to potential tenants. The Seven Seas Diner anchored the corner for decades before closing, after which the space briefly hosted Paros Grill and then Americana Eatery & Bar, both short-lived efforts. Newsday noted that string of quick turnovers, while business listings identify the property as 607 Northern Blvd at the Middle Neck/Northern Boulevard intersection. MenuPages lists the former Seven Seas Diner at that address.
What to watch
The big question for Great Neck regulars is whether Novah can deliver the everyday reliability that has eluded restaurants at this corner. The Pashalis family already operates a small cluster of Mediterranean spots around the city, giving Novah some built-in credibility, but locals will be watching construction progress and early buzz to see if this one sticks.
Dear Margo's debut earlier this year highlighted the family’s wider restaurant footprint, which could help draw curious city diners and suburban regulars alike to the former diner corner once Novah finally opens.
