01945 Fall 2018 V2

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The awning at The Landing above the deck seating was raised to allow more lighting into the new dining area. PHOTOS BY SPENSER HASAK General manager/partner Robert Simonelli speaks about the renovations made to The Landing following this winters storms. Landing on its feet. Again. The Landing restaurant has much to recommend it, particularly the sublime view of the ocean from its dining room and waterfront deck. General manager and partner Robert Simonelli agrees that the water view is spectacular, but he's had it up to here with the “water” part of it, thank you very much. A walloping, waterlogged double whammy caused by back-to-back floods in January shuttered the Front Street restaurant for five months. But the "new" Landing is back, serving BY BILL BROTHERTON such longtime favorites as baked scrod, baked scallops, and fried clams, and fresh options such as tuna poke and grilled octopus. The beloved raw bar remains. Marbleheaders are absolutely thrilled. They're also pleased with changes Simonelli, executive chef and business partner Stephen James, and their team have made to the restaurant and the menu. "That January 4th 'bomb cyclone' storm was bad, really bad," Simonelli said. "Icy seawater was coming in all over the place. The floorboards were moving. It was the worst I've seen in my 16 years here." A video of the watery intrusion posted on The Landing's Facebook page got 1.2 million hits. Repairs were quickly made and, three days after the Nor'easter, a large supportive crowd was enjoying Sunday brunch when water started falling from the ceiling. A pipe to the sprinkler system had burst. "Three-quarters of the restaurant was soaked. There was no reopening from that until we addressed many issues. It was 18 | <strong>01945</strong>
grueling and very stressful,” Simonelli said. It also offered a chance to remodel the interior, which hadn't been updated since 1997. "The first plan of attack was to fix the floor," Simonelli said. "We dried the place out, to see what we had to do. Before long we went down to the studs, and then we got rid of the studs." Dan Ricciarelli of Salem-based Seger Architects mapped out a plan. After the building itself, built in 1972, was shored up, a 21-seat bar would be added to the dining room space. "One plan was to totally gut the pub and have it be just dining space. But the people of Marblehead would throw me in the ocean if I ever got rid of that bar," Simonelli said, only half-joking. The 10-seat bar in the pub was shortened by seven feet. And the space can now be reserved for functions. "Before, we were limited in the dining room; we couldn't take a party of 50," Simonelli said. Now, the gorgeously renovated pub can accommodate larger parties with ease. There are 70 seats for sit-down dinner, and more room for a cocktail party. There are preset menu options for functions, but those can be adjusted. Currently, there are no fees to rent the room, a rarity in the restaurant business. Music will likely return to the "pub" at some point, Simonelli said. A soft-opening was held June 25, and the "new" Landing was fully up and running by July 4 to satisfy holiday revelers. "We had a new staff, a new menu and a new 'What's behind door No. 1 one,'" Simonelli said. The renovations cost about $500,000, including such unsexy necessities as getting the electric and plumbing systems up to code and replacing 60 feet of water pipe running under the floor of the pub to the main line outside. The dining room seats 85 people, and the deck holds 47. Simonelli said the outdoor space can now be enjoyed all four seasons, thanks to heaters and an airtight canopy. "The town and town officials have been great. I think they all missed our lobster rolls and fish sandwich," Simonelli said with a smile. "Seriously, we're very grateful for the support of the town and our customers. We believe in doing a lot for the community." Charity nights to benefit local nonprofits are held on Tuesdays. Waterfront activities will include acoustic music and sunset harbor cruises that end with a three-course dinner at The Landing. As always, youngsters will enjoy free hot chocolate during the annual Christmas Walk when Santa arrives by lobster boat next to the restaurant. "We are so happy to be back, and everyone seems happy with the improvements. We're very excited about the function space, it's already been reserved for several events," Simonelli said. FLORES MANTILLA marblehead | 781 631 9483 boston | 857 350 3001 @floresmantilla www.floresmantilla.com NEW LANDING NEW FUNCTION ROOM NEW MENU THE PERFECT VENUE FOR ANY GATHERING • REHEARSAL DINNERS AND WEDDING PARTIES • CORPORATE MEETINGS • HOLIDAY PARTIES AND MORE! Complete with a full bar and lounge area. Holds up to 70 people Choice of buffet or sit-down Open daily year-round Reservations required Menu options available THE LANDING 81 Front St., Marblehead, MA TheLandingRestaurant.com For inquiries please call 781- 639 -1266
Page 1 and 2: Fall features food and fun and fash
Page 3 and 4: VINNIN LIQUORS Shop us @vinninliquo
Page 5 and 6: Fresh * Timeless * Luxe Interior De
Page 7 and 8: REPRESENTING FINE COMPANIES SUCH AS
Page 9 and 10: and had previously run a home-based
Page 11 and 12: " MY KIDS ARE PROUD OF ME, BUT THEY
Page 13 and 14: Gerry 5 and Okos are Fired up about
Page 15 and 16: DOORWAYS into the past BY BELLA diG
Page 17 and 18: KATHY O'TOOLE A POLICE FORCE Kathy
Page 19: "There was a lot of distrust," she
Page 23 and 24: spanning the late 1600s to the earl
Page 25 and 26: BY BELLA diGRAZIA | PHOTOS BY SPENS
Page 27 and 28: LOCAL FLAVOR C H O W DO W N The Cro
Page 29 and 30: A peek inside 361 Ocean Avenue SALE
Page 31 and 32: FALL 2018 | 29 Town folk heroes BY
Page 33 and 34: Session Americana on stage at the m
Page 35 and 36: North Shore Laser Therapy at RightS

01945 Fall 2018 V2

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?