There’s an intriguing backstory.
Long Island has welcomed a new steakhouse that pays homage to the Culper Spy Ring, a group of double agents from the Revolutionary War, whose courageous espionage frequently aided colonial forces.
“In school, we learned all about the spy ring and how it influenced the American Revolution,” shared Scott Brittman, the owner of Culper’s 1778, which opened just two weeks ago in Setauket.
Brittman noted, “Locally, there’s not much recognition of the spy ring aside from some tours. I think it’s important to highlight and celebrate that history.”
The restaurant is adorned with creative war-themed decor, including prints depicting battles from Setauket, replicas of muskets, Declaration of Independence illustrations, and authentic American flags.
The commitment to the theme is impressive as Brittman’s team aims to recreate drinks that George Washington famously enjoyed, taking inspiration from the first presidential magazine. There’s a “Commander” cocktail infused with lemon and cinnamon, and an intriguing selection of cocktails named after historical figures, like “The Traitor,” a nod to Benedict Arnold.
Notably, they also serve a gin-based drink called “Agent 355,” referencing a female spy whose identity remains a mystery.
“A lot of history enthusiasts from nearby towns have stopped by,” Brittman noted, adding that they will be closed on July 4th to honor Independence Day.
Who Were the Culper Spies?
According to Judge Christopher, a longtime educator at the Raynum Hall Museum, Washington’s covert agents were a courageous group of at least seven, led by Benjamin Tallmadge from Setauket, along with his friends Abraham Woodhull and Caleb Brister, around the time the restaurant was named.
“They were childhood pals who trusted each other deeply. They all stood against what they viewed as British tyranny,” he explained.
Judge Christopher even compares them to the CIA of their time—almost like the predecessors of James Bond.
Austin Law, a local tavern owner from Port Jefferson, had connections as well, being a descendant of Justus, the inventor of the retractable tape measure.
The group’s name stems from a name they adopted during their operations, reflecting their commitment to secrecy, according to the judge, who is eager to try the restaurant.
He elaborated that Townsend not only showed loyalty but also successfully eavesdropped on British meetings while disguising himself in homemade military attire.
Interestingly, George Washington wasn’t aware of Robert Townsend’s real identity, as any leak could have led to severe consequences for the entire spy network. It wasn’t until 1938 that historians uncovered Townsend’s role through documents at Raynham Hall.
The Culper Spy Ring’s greatest triumphs included thwarting a British plan to destabilize the American economy with counterfeit currency and misleading British forces about the French troop movements in Rhode Island.
“The French might have faced disaster if not for false intel from our spies diverting British attention,” said the judge. “Not a single member of the Spy network was compromised, which I believe marks their most significant victory.”
