As Brindisi's Restaurant prepares for their 10 year anniversary, owner Andy Brindisi is set to begin a new business venture.
The Union Grille, named in honor of the majestic Grand Union Hotel which was torn down in 1953, will open October 1 at the Saratoga Hilton. The new "gastro pub" will be taking the place of Chez Sophie, whose owners are heading to France to work on a vineyard.
"I'm ecstatic about this new opportunity," Brindisi said. "I'm completely aware of the extra work but I'm really excited. I'm ready to take on this new challenge."
A gastro pub is a new concept to this area that combines traditional pub fare and fine cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, a "casual-meets-refined" atmosphere that welcomes diners and bar-goers alike. They were originally founded in Great Britain in the 1980s with the goal to appeal to the masses. In the United States, it is still a relatively new concept; however, gastro pubs are popping up in New York City and around the New England area. Union Grille will be the first in the Capital Region, Brindisi said. He added that he wants Union Grille to be a place for corporate events as well as a fun place for the family to go for an evening out.
"People will be able to order anything from steak and scallops to a burger and macaroni and cheese," he said. "Families won't have to go to Chucky Cheese for the kids to have a good time. It will be a 'come as you are' atmosphere."
The restaurant will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner with meals ranging from $12 to $20. It will also provide room service to the hotel.
Brindisi, a third-generation restaurateur, moved to Saratoga Springs in 2000 to work with his father, Louis, at the initial Brindisi's location. While the restaurant's grand opening was on opening day of Saratoga Race Course, Andy didn't arrive until October.
"My grandfather built a restaurant in Old Forge and we are seeing the fruits of his labor by opening this second establishment," he said.
While he doesn't know yet how many people he will employ, he hopes to keep some of the staff at Chez Sophie and bounce his staff from Brindisi's back and forth as needed.
The restaurant will be decorated to correspond with the contemporary feel of the Saratoga Hilton but will also tie in elements relating to the Grand Union Hotel.
"I thought it was fitting to honor the Grand Union Hotel. It was founded by Gideon Putnam and during its time it was the largest hotel in the world. That's pretty amazing for Saratoga Springs when it was competing with cities like New York and Paris," Brindisi said. "I'm excited to be honoring this hotel and working with the Hilton hotel chain knowing that Conrad Hilton was basically the father of hospitality."
"I'm ecstatic about this new opportunity," Brindisi said. "I'm completely aware of the extra work but I'm really excited. I'm ready to take on this new challenge."
A gastro pub is a new concept to this area that combines traditional pub fare and fine cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere, a "casual-meets-refined" atmosphere that welcomes diners and bar-goers alike. They were originally founded in Great Britain in the 1980s with the goal to appeal to the masses. In the United States, it is still a relatively new concept; however, gastro pubs are popping up in New York City and around the New England area. Union Grille will be the first in the Capital Region, Brindisi said. He added that he wants Union Grille to be a place for corporate events as well as a fun place for the family to go for an evening out.
"People will be able to order anything from steak and scallops to a burger and macaroni and cheese," he said. "Families won't have to go to Chucky Cheese for the kids to have a good time. It will be a 'come as you are' atmosphere."
The restaurant will be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner with meals ranging from $12 to $20. It will also provide room service to the hotel.
Brindisi, a third-generation restaurateur, moved to Saratoga Springs in 2000 to work with his father, Louis, at the initial Brindisi's location. While the restaurant's grand opening was on opening day of Saratoga Race Course, Andy didn't arrive until October.
"My grandfather built a restaurant in Old Forge and we are seeing the fruits of his labor by opening this second establishment," he said.
While he doesn't know yet how many people he will employ, he hopes to keep some of the staff at Chez Sophie and bounce his staff from Brindisi's back and forth as needed.
The restaurant will be decorated to correspond with the contemporary feel of the Saratoga Hilton but will also tie in elements relating to the Grand Union Hotel.
"I thought it was fitting to honor the Grand Union Hotel. It was founded by Gideon Putnam and during its time it was the largest hotel in the world. That's pretty amazing for Saratoga Springs when it was competing with cities like New York and Paris," Brindisi said. "I'm excited to be honoring this hotel and working with the Hilton hotel chain knowing that Conrad Hilton was basically the father of hospitality."
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