STATEN ISLAND, NY — Patrons’ patterns have changed post-pandemic, say owners of some upscale restaurants as guests seek hyper-local celebrations and entertainment. In response to the demand, a few eateries have amped up the borough’s nightlife scene.
Thin-sliced eggplant with olive tapenade on puff pastry (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
Maria Buonsante of Luce Restaurant said, “We’re booking weddings, engagements like I’ve never seen before, plus groups of friends looking for get-togethers in a private setting. Clients tell me they want to keep it on the modest side in numbers for a variety of reasons, so they don’t go to a banquet hall or travel off the Island.”
She said sometimes guests are saving for a house or “it’s the second time around” and party sizes, as a result, have shrunk.
Maria Buonsante’s rooftop lounge and restaurant overlooks Charleston and the South Shore Commons. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
“But the celebrations are definitely happening. And guests like to nosh, take their time over bite-sized items. We call it ‘Lights After Dark,’” said Buonsante. As a result the restaurant launched an all-you-can-eat-and-drink menu on the patio on Fridays and Saturday nights. For $75 a head, guests can book the space for three hours at a clip for 25 to 50 invitees. The price includes a personal server and appetizers selected by the house.
At a chic affair for Tudor Watches hosted by Gerald Peters Jewelers Monday night, some of those bites were on display or debuted — lobster bisque shots, shrimp with citrus aioli, octopus meatballs, veal meatballs in polenta and a vegetable terrine, to name a few .
Shrimp with citrus aioli (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
On Wednesday nights, Luce offers a “Board and Bottle Night” with wines by the bottle and charcuterie boards at half price.
Vegetable terrine (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)
ENTERTAINMENT AFTER ALA CARTE
Max’s Es-Ca (MaxsEsca.com) in Dongan Hills recently expanded into the entertainment realm. Co-owner Alison Marchese said that post-COVID, regulars disdain travel to Manhattan for shows and have requested gigs additional to Max’s Saturday night DJ-fueled bar scene. The Dongan Hills restaurant tentatively brought in an acting troupe for a murder-mystery production and, on another occasion, a comedy night.
Marchese admits being stunned at the reaction: each was a sell-out with over 200 guests, most of which were small packs of friends. She saw new faces and labeled it a success so much so that Max’s invested in a new sound system.
“We’re going to roll with it. The people loved it and I can’t tell you how many compliments we had on the first two shows. That speaks for itself,” said Marchese.
Signature tuna tartar at Max’s Esca (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si
New Year’s Eve at Max’s was amped up this year with an outdoor comedy show following ala carte dinner with headliner Uncle Floyd under the tent aka “The Pavilion.” Tickets can be purchased through EventBrite for $40 each — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uncle-floyd-at-maxs-es-ca-new-years-eve-in-the-pavilion-tickets-466305250557.
On Jan. 13, Marchese said there is a Broadway-worthy Robert Torme’s Rat Pack Tribute at 8:30 pm The cost is $30 with drinks and ala carte food additional — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/robert-tormes -rat-pack-review-tickets-463769415807.
Elvis The King comes to Max’s with Lamar Peters and the Great Pretender Show Band on Jan. 27 for an 8 pm start time at $20 a seat — https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elvis-the-king-lamar- peters-the-great-pretender-show-band-tickets-466114269327.
In the New Year, Marchese aims for regular live acts on a weekly basis including an Elton John-Billy Joel experience planned for March.
Violette’s Cellar’s Supper Club in Grant City takes place in the restaurant’s speakeasy-style dining room. (Courtesy of Violette’s Cellar)
‘NO NEED TO DRIVE TO NYC’
As spokeswoman for Bread and Butter Hospitality, Susan Anderson, maintains, “There’s no need to drive to NYC,” particularly with two of the company’s venues.
Violette’s Cellar (Violettescellar.com) in Grant City recently fired up a Thursday Night Supper Club. She explains, “It celebrates the glamorous tradition of supper club with a modern day twist.”
Reservations are a must for a night of craft cocktails and a carefully curated menu with award-winning entertainers.
She said, “Next week is the Charlie Romo Holiday Show and he will return with love songs of yesteryear in time for Valentines on Thursday Feb. 9.” In the spring, revelers can expect two separate tribute acts, Elton John and Elvis. New Year’s Eve’s plans include a Gatsby party.
At B&B’s Stone House (TheStoneHouseSI.com) in Clove Lake Park, Anderson said, the restaurant’s historic building, oversized Christmas tree and bucolic setting smacks of holiday spirit.
“The beautiful grounds, decorations and ice skating right next door makes for better photo ops than Rockefeller Center,” she said with a giggle.
Both Violette’s and Stone House feature wine dinners and multi-course tastings. The programs are called Peak and Prime and Chef’s Loft, respectively.
The Expressions will perform as the opening act for Vito Picone & The Elegants at Lorenzo’s Cabaret in the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield, Friday, May 15.
CABARET TRADITION
Nightlife has been in full swing at Lorenzo’s at the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomfield. Music has always been a vibrant tradition at the hotel’s resident eating and drinking destination, most notably on Friday nights.
Lois and Richard Nicotra said, “Cabaret has been a staple of our Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret dining experience for more than 20 years, and there is nothing like live music to transport our guests and shake off the work week. Acts like Joe Piscopo, Michael Amante, The Duprees and local talents like Vinnie Medugno make our cabaret experience lively and entertaining, and the ample free parking and ease of access at the Hilton attracts guests from New Jersey, Brooklyn and Long Island.”
Upcoming gigs are listed on a website specific to the entertainment — Partyeatstay.com.
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. You can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.