Lessing's Hospitality Group Opens Shoreline Café at Catholic Health's Good Samaritan University Hospital

The new café aims to elevate the dining experience for hospital guests, visitors, and staff across Long Island.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Lessing's Hospitality Group, a family-owned company with over 135 years of experience in the hospitality industry, has opened the Shoreline Café at Catholic Health's Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, New York. The opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking an important milestone in Lessing's partnership with Catholic Health to enhance the café experience for hospital guests, visitors, and staff across Long Island.

Why it matters

The Shoreline Café is designed to bring a modern and welcoming approach to hospital dining, offering chef-driven offerings, seasonal ingredients, and a comfortable environment where people can take a break, refuel, and reset during the day. This partnership reflects the shared belief between Lessing's and Catholic Health that food has the power to make a difference in people's daily lives, especially for those who rely on the hospital's services.

The details

The Shoreline Café at Good Samaritan University Hospital is part of a broader roll-out across Catholic Health hospitals, including St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. Together, the Shoreline Café locations reflect a shared focus on quality, consistency, and a better day-to-day experience for the people who rely on these hospitals.

  • The Shoreline Café at Good Samaritan University Hospital opened on February 20, 2026.

The players

Lessing's Hospitality Group

A family-owned company with over 135 years of experience creating meaningful moments through food and hospitality.

Catholic Health

An integrated system encompassing some of the region's finest health and human services agencies, serving hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders each year under the sponsorship of the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

Kevin Lessing

Executive Vice President of Lessing's Hospitality Group.

Gary Havican

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Catholic Health.

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What they’re saying

“Good Samaritan is an essential hospital for so many Long Islanders, and we're proud to bring the Shoreline Café to this campus. This partnership reflects our shared belief that food has the power to make a difference in people's daily lives. We're excited to work alongside Catholic Health to create spaces where families, faculty, and staff can enjoy meals that are both satisfying and thoughtfully prepared.”

— Kevin Lessing, Executive Vice President of Lessing's Hospitality Group (businessinsider.com)

“Catholic Health hospitals have always been committed to providing care in every aspect of the patient and guest experience. Partnering with Lessing's Hospitality Group allows us to elevate our dining spaces with a focus on quality and community. The opening of the Shoreline Café at Good Samaritan University Hospital will offer our staff and guests a welcoming place to relax and recharge with fresh, wholesome food served with genuine hospitality.”

— Gary Havican, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Catholic Health (businessinsider.com)

What’s next

The Shoreline Café at Good Samaritan University Hospital is part of a broader roll-out across Catholic Health hospitals, including St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center.

The takeaway

This partnership between Lessing's Hospitality Group and Catholic Health reflects a shared commitment to providing high-quality, community-focused dining experiences within hospital settings, recognizing the importance of food and hospitality in supporting the overall well-being of patients, visitors, and staff.