Tired of looking at the burned-out facade of the Upper Montclair Train Station? A developer has been chosen, according to the Star Ledger. Charles and Ralph Nuzzo and their family will be behind the new eatery. The former has been involved in restaurants in NJ and CA. The latter is managing member and senior partner at Notchwood LLC in Little Falls.
"We are thrilled with Notch wood's proposal," Penny Bassett- Hackett, a spokeswoman for NJ Transit, said yesterday. "They have a deep background in rehabilita tion and reconstruction combined with restaurants, so this process has really culminated into what will be a good addition to Montclair."This year, the New Jersey Historic Sites Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the demolition of the gutted station on the condition that a "historically accurate reconstruction" is undertaken. That would include the preservation of the porte-cochere and the creation of an "architectural savage plan" by NJ Transit.
As an enticement for the restaurant developer to undertake the reconstruction, NJ Transit, the station's owner, is contributing $287,000 toward the demolition- construction, which it said represents the settlement from the Gar den State Insurance Fund.
As for the restaurant, Ralph Nuzzo said it would be an "affordable" high-end place serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with fine wines and labor from Montclair State University. "So it's a youthful look," he said.
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Comments (20)
What is an "architectural savage plan?" And how does running a landscaping company in Little Falls qualify someone to run a restaurant, let alone supervise all those architectural savages?
That was really a bad piece of writing, wherever it was lifted from.
Oh, wait, now I see it was lifted from the Star-Ledger. Well then, of course it was a bad piece of writing. (They have a "youthful look" there too quite often, but only passing familiarity with the richness of the English language and the distinction between "its" and "it's.")
"youthful look"
I love it!
an "affordable" high-end place
Isn't that an oxymoron?
This sounds similar to the underwhelming Red Hawk Diner at MSU. If they are trying to tap into the community, why not look to restaurant Blu and Amanti Vino wines for inspiration?
Fine wines from Montclair State?
Sounds dubious.
The Star Ledger article does refer to a number of "restorations" and restaurants undertaken by this group. It sounds like congratulations are due to all involved in pulling this off! The burned out hulk could be gone in a short time!
But,
Strange that no one provided that same information to the Montclair Times, which makes no mention of it in their paper that came out today.
In any event, the articles also refer to "financial arrangements."
This is getting to be old hat. If the Town/NJ Transit is announcing the deal, how about telling us the financial implications of the deal?
We know Montclair only got a fraction of the money necessary to rebuild the structure, and that a developer was being asked to kick in the rest. The implication was that if the developer didn't, the town would have to cough up more dough.
So, how about some info, guys?
And what's this article from Gourmet magazine that Hartnett refers to? A Google search reveals, well, NOTHING!
How about citing it?
And there will be plenty of parking in the Bank parking lot. Just ignore the Tow Away Zone signs; everyone else does.
"And what's this article from Gourmet magazine that Hartnett refers to?" Oh, that was just a simple typo: instead of "Gourmet" magazine, it should have said "Lying Sack of Horsepuckey" magazine.
"And what's this article from Gourmet magazine that Hartnett refers to?"
Which reference to Gourmet magazine? I don't see one.
"What is an 'architectural savage plan'?" Yes, I have never heard this term before, either. Sounds like the writer is trying to sound hip and trendy. It's not working.
I wish them luck. It's tough to run a business-especially a restaurant--in Montclair. But they'll be ahead of the ganme if they: offer good food a truly affordable prices, provide good service, and have access to plenty of parking.
The back door liquor license on this is the real winner and will keep the place going. If the place slows down they will just serve more liquor and then these boards will be complaining about something else, like why they aren't recycling their bottles.
They should put a Crown fried Chicken shop in there.
ROC,
From the Montclair Times this morning:
Hartnett said that Notchwood�s principals are brothers Charles and Ralph Nuzzo. According to the township manager, Charles has been written up in �Gourmet� magazine and Ralph is a local attorney
Call the Montclair Times -- maybe they can send you the article in Gourmet!
ahh...
Em Bistro.
Owned by Charles Nuzzo.
Why is everyone so quick to call people liars with, well, not an iota of knowledge about the thing?
NEXT UP: Splitting hairs about what constitutes "written up".
Both of Nuzzo's restaurants received very good reviews. I'm pretty excited that something is finally happening with the station and a reputable restaurateur is willing to take over the location.
I was anticipating KFC or Taco Bell being that we are pretty much headed in that direction! Nothing like a little boost to get us there sooner!
I would have preferred a beverage barn where I could drive thru intoxicated and pick up my wine without having to worry about muggers and bullets!
Beep Beep
Vrooom vrooom
In that case, you'd be worried about carjackings.
You could have your liquor delivered!
Excellent detective work on the restaurants, ROC! You're a lot more careful than I was and turned up the "goods."
Now, can you plug in "What's the deal on the finances" and let us residents know what the numbers are? Is Montclair going to get left holding the bag on reconstruction costs?
Then, plug in "Who forgot to get the proper insurance?"
I look forward to finding that information next!
Maybe he can tell us where that $1 Million dollar insurance check went- and then there's always Judge Crater.