Authorities say Inger McCaskill, also of Great Neck, set fire to the bushes outside the Safa Restaurant on Middleneck Road.
The fire spread to the front of the restaurant, which prompted a response of five fire trucks and 25 firefighters.
McCaskill was caught near the scene.
She is also being charged with resisting arrest, petit larceny and obstruction of governmental administration.
The restaurant was unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.
