Ocean Grill to open this week at Rye Town Park – The Journal News | LoHud.com

Ocean Grille, which will open on May 10, takes the place of Seaside Johnnies, which closed after last season after decades at Rye Town Park. Seth Harrison/lohud

Nick Farda and Al Ciuffetelli, co-owners of Ocean Grille in Rye, stand on the back patio of the restaurant in Rye Town Park.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)Buy Photo

Rye Town Park's newest culinary additions are set to open Wednesday after nearly a year of uncertainty.

Ocean Grille, a new bar and grillwhich overlooks Oakland Beach and the Long Island Soundwill take the place of the formerSeaside Johnnies,which closed in Decemberafter 17 years of operation.

"We're very excited to impress the people in the area," said AlCiuffetelli, president of Homestyle Caterers, the company running the restaurant. "And to be clear,we don't just serve fried food,we're homemade."

A walk-up Nathan's Hot Dogs stand and another concessionkiosk near the park's north gate are also set to open in the near future.

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The restaurant spaceis on municipal land and receives a license rather than a lease from the six-member Park Commission, which includes officialsfromRye Town, Rye City, Rye Brook and Port Chester.

The dealhas Homestyle Caterers paying $92,000 for a one-year licensing fee that beganMay 1 andendsOct. 31. In comparison,Seaside Johnniespaid the commission $103,000 annually for its license.

"All of us on the commission are looking forward to the opening of our new restaurant," said Town Supervisor and Park Commissioner Gary Zuckerman. "It's an exciting addition to the park."

Ocean Grille's arrival comes after months of unsuccessful contract negotiations between the spaces' former tenant and the commission.

Ocean Grille in Rye Town Park will open Wednesday.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

Last November, the commissionvoted unanimouslyto offer Seaside Johnnies aone-year licenseextension with the option to renew for a second year.The owners of the restaurant rejected the dealand were forced to vacate the space in December, sending park officials scrambling to find a paying tenant for the summer season.

Thirteencompanies submitted proposals to the commission, with Ocean Grillewinning out in February.

Homestyle has since made $58,000 in improvements to the three food spaces, including a new bar, hardwood flooring and a refurbished outdoor eating space for the Ocean Grille. Menu items and waiter outfits will remain subject to the commission's approval.

Ciuffetelli said the restaurant would focus on staples like hamburgers, steaks, pizza and seafood.If customers spend a certain amount of money at the restaurant,parking will be validated.

The restaurant will operate from 11a.m. to 11p.m.,seven days a week until Memorial Day, when it willopen at 7 a.m. for whatCiuffetellicalled "breakfast on the beach." The restaurant will remain seasonal and will close in October.

The interior of Ocean Grille in Rye.(Photo: Seth Harrison/The Journal News)

"I love the idea for this restaurant," said Rye resident Charles Hyman. "Upgrades are needed in the park."

The park's usage has climbed in recent years and, in 2015, it turned a profit for the first time in its 109-year history. But millions of dollars in renovations are still needed to repair decaying buildings.

Twitter: @GabrielRom1

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