MOHEGAN LAKE - Steak lovers in Northern Westchester rejoice. You won't have to drive down-county or trek into Manhattan for a top quality steak anymore. A new steakhouse - Augie's - has opened in Mohegan Lake ."Our goal is to provide Manhattan-style dining at affordable prices," said Audrey Hochroth, owner of Augie's.Augie's menu includes the most popular cuts of beef, as well as fish, seafood, poultry and salads. 

You can enjoy surf and turf, Alaskan king crab legs and fish such as grouper and yellow-tailed snapper. There's even a $6 kids' menu with all their favorites.The décor of the 60-seat restaurant is warm, contemporary and inviting. There's enough room between tables that you won't have to eavesdrop on your neighbors' conversation. The lighting is bright enough to read the menu by, but comfortable on your eyes. 

Audrey's husband, Sal Barone, owned a steakhouse in Scottsdale, Ariz. for 13 years and drew upon his experience to help design and build Augie's. He currently works as a project manager for a New Rochelle real estate developer, but spends his evenings and weekends at the restaurant.Hochroth, who spent summers in northern Westchester when she was growing up, and who moved back here in 2000, said people have been stopping in since their"opening soon" sign first went up."Everyone was very excited that we were opening a top-quality steak restaurant," she said. "There aren't a lot of choices in our area when you want to go out for a good dinner."The name Augie's comes from Hochroth's childhood. Her younger sister had a difficult time pronouncing "Audrey" - it came out "Augie." The name stuck. The owners gutted the old Lexington Avenue location, a former Indian restaurant, and built a state-of-the-art kitchen. Their high-tech Alto-Shaam oven is designed for low-temperature cooking so the prime rib roasts slowly overnight at very low temperature.

Chef Isaac Olivo, a classically-trained Cordon Bleu chef who has worked with some of America's celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio and Michael Mina, has created an innovative menu that builds on high-quality meats, fish and seafood, and adds international accents with his own creative flare.Steaks range from $18-$28, and prime rib ranges from $16-$26, according to size. And, unlike many steakhouses, that includes salad and potato. Traditional steakhouse side dishes such as creamed spinach and onion rings are also available.Crab cakes are available at lunch and dinner as an appetizer or main course. The Buffalo wings have won rave reviews for their slightly-sweet, slightly-spicy taste, and the tuna tartar looks like a work of art.Save room for dessert. Everyone's favorite is the "cannoli cream and chips," which features crispy pieces of cannoli shell for you to dip into cannoli cream, topped with strawberries. On Saturday evenings, there will be special "happy hour" prices at the bar starting at 9 p.m.

On Wednesday nights, guest bartenders will be invited to create their personal favorite drinks. Augie's is still waiting for their liquor license, so if that's important to you, check with them when you make your reservation. They hope to have the license very soon. The restaurant is open from 5-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon-9 p.m. on Sundays. Beginning in March, Augie's will also be open for lunch.