STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — After a 22-year-run, Afternoone's Restaurant is under new ownership. Meet Laurent "Champ" Albano who assumed the West Brighton mainstay on New Year's Day.

"Afternoone's has been a staple in the neighborhood for 22 years," said Champ. He lives in Castleton Corners but this St. Peter's Boys School grad feels at home in West Brighton.

The wait and bar staff will remain intact, Champ says, with some tweaks. For instance, he will be working in the restaurant with Daena, his wife, while sister Lauren Albano will be the general manager. Jeanette Murphy is a staffer who will handle "daily restaurant operations." Brian Doyle, the chef at Afternoone's for about eight months now with a background in pastry work, will continue as the kitchen lead.

Hearty portions of American fare at Afternoone's — items like burgers, sandwiches, entrees of baked fish fillet, stuffed chicken breast and chops — will not change much.

"The people who work here are great, the concept is great. But we want to build on that," said Champ. For instance, he hopes to expand on the restaurant's grilled pizza selections, a small fraction of the menu right now. Sunday brunch, offered at $23 a head, will continue with its 13-item breakfast-y eats and unlimited select booze such as sangria, beer and vodka-based drinks.

DATING BACK TO THE DILLY DALLY CLUB

Joe Territo owned Afternoone's, as the North Shore has known it over the last two decades. He is a principal at The Manor House in Castleton Corners.

Yet the digs at 415 Forest Ave. have a fairly long history as a restaurant and/or bar. Former business incarnations at the address include the "Dilly Dally Club." After that came "The Greenery." A few years later as the "Upstairs-Downstairs," it evolved into more of a supping spot with a formal dining room upstairs along with, as the name suggests, a downstairs eating area as well.

Years later, the place became known as Blaine and Noone's, run by Brian Noone and Danny Blaine (now of Rosebank fame as the proprietor of tavern Danny Blaine's) which then evolved into Afternoone's in the early 1990s, the moniker serving as a play on the former Blaine and Noone's. Afternoone's expanded eventually into a third storefront, once occupied by The Book Nook.

LOYALISTS IN THE CROWD

Long-time patrons such as Rosemarie Hager of West Brighton can appreciate the history and longevity of the establishment. After all, her son, Kevin Hager, was once chef here. And she is related to Brian Noone.

"We're regulars here," said Carmela Ruggiero, who dines at Afternoone's every Monday and Wednesday along with Mrs. Hager and pals Lucy Borkowski and Bernice Kielty.

"We're coming forever," said Mrs. Borkowski. With ample portions of chicken and fish entrees served with hills of piped mashed potatoes and vegetable du jour presented to the group on visits, they're sticking with place under Champ's regime.

Champ is appreciative of customer loyalty. He also appreciates how the neighborhood is changing. Across the street, for instance, new Mexican restaurant Ho'Brah is under construction. An empty storefront on one side of Afternoone's, recently stripped, 24-hour deli. And, a former laundry shop, flanking the restaurant on its other side, will soon see a small deli. A coffee shop just opened a bit further down the drag, Fab Cup at 603 Forest Ave.

Enthuses Champ: "It's great. We need more, newer establishments — it just adds to the uniqueness of West Brighton."

Will he change the name of Afternoone's?

Champ laughed. For now, it will stay as "Afternoone's" — although he's open to suggestions.

Have your say: What would you name the space of 415 Forest Ave. as it enters a new era? Sound off in the comments section below:

— Afternoone's is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant can be reached at 718-816-6744.