Saratoga Business Journal
By Rod Bacon
A well-respected Saratoga Springs restaurateur is creating his second restaurant in the Spa City.
Ronnie Solevo, who has owned Solevo’s Kitchen + Social on Phila Street for eight years, plans to open The Pearl this fall.
“The Pearl is a reference to my New England roots growing up in southern Connecticut on the shoreline,” Solevo said.
While The Pearl’s menu is still being developed, Solevo said the restaurant is installing an ice display raw bar that will feature live shucking in front of patrons. There will be daily changing seafood selections, as well as meat options and choices for vegetarians and vegans.
“We have incredible access to purveyors in Boston, New York and southern New England, where seafood could come out of the water in the middle of the night and make it onto your plate a few hours later,” he said.
Solevo purchased the business and furnishings of the former Scallion’s on Lake Avenue from owners Eric and Liz Swoyer. Renovations are underway by Ballston Lake-based Carter-Lamansky Construction. Kennedy Taylor, owner of Studio K in Saratoga Springs, is leading the design team.
He noted that if the building is listed for sale, he is interested in purchasing it.
Upgrades include new electrical and plumbing systems, as well as cosmetic improvements, which he is not divulging at this time.
“One of the best things conceptually about The Pearl is that the pearl itself is a rare and often secretive gem that is difficult to find. Concepts and designs for the restaurant are going to remain relatively ‘pearl-escient’ and under wraps,” he said.
When renovations are completed, the restaurant will seat 75 patrons and offer outdoor dining during the warmer months.
While it might not happen initially, the goal is to be open seven days a week year-round, serving lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends.
Solevo has 35 employees at his current restaurant, some of whom will do “double duty” at The Pearl. He is the executive chef at both.
“The plan is to bring our hospitality culture to the new restaurant from Solevo’s and we will fill out the rest of the staff around that,” he said. “It comes down to the team around me; that’s really what makes it possible.”
Solevo’s Kitchen has a Wine Spectator award-winning wine list with a heavy focus on regional Italian wines. Solevo said that because of his experience as a sommelier and wine consultant, along with that of his brother Joseph and his wine directors, the selection at The Pearl will be equally impressive.
“We work really hard to select wines that pair well with our food, are responsibly made, and are not the easiest to find,” he said. “We love exposing people to new varietals from different regions across Italy.”
He noted that Cherie DeVaux had her celebratory dinner at Solevo’s Kitchen after Golden Tempo’s win at the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga.
“It’s a little sad that the Belmont isn’t going to be back in Saratoga next year,” he said. “As difficult as that is, the challenge is invigorating and definitely lights the fire for all of us. We went out with a bang, that’s for sure.”
To learn more about the dining options at Solevo’s Kitchen + Social, go to solevokitchenandsocial.com.
To keep track of the progress of The Pearl, go to thepearlsaratoga.com.