Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa reopened this week regardless of a report that proprietor BLDG Administration skipped cost on a $217 million mortgage.
A spokesperson blamed the missed cost, first reported by the Actual Deal, on an administrative error that has since been resolved.
The rep informed Facet Dish the mortgage has been prolonged with new phrases and the resort is “thriving.”
The property, famed for its St. Tropez-style, seashore facet bottle service, had shut down for renovations on Dec. 8.
“We are now completing a renovation project which includes a new restaurant, and we look forward to the launch this spring,” mentioned Justin B. Kleinman, govt vice chairman and chief working officer at BLDG Administration.
The 20-acre resort is getting ready to launch new culinary ideas this spring, together with Gigi’s Montauk — a brand new flagship restaurant with Mediterranean delicacies “inspired” by native components, mentioned Michael Nenner, President and COO of Gurney’s Resorts.
It will likely be helmed by govt chef Justin Lee, previously of Mina Group, and govt chef de delicacies Mbaba Danso, who has been with Gurney’s Montauk since 2020, and it’ll change Scarpetta Seaside, a preferred eatery for the previous 9 years.
There will even be Dune Café & Lounge, which had a smooth launch earlier this winter. It includes a espresso bar by day and a uncooked bar/cocktail lounge at night time, the place Regent Cocktail Membership and Tillie’s as soon as stood.
As for the oceanfront seashore membership, it can return with one other Dolce & Gabbana takeover, with D&G designed chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas — together with the luxurious style model’s pop-up boutique on the East Deck and a beachside bar.
BLDG Administration and the late George Filopoulos’ Metrovest Equities purchased the property in 2014.
Thirty years after Mercer Road Hospitality’s John McDonald opened MercBar in Soho, the veteran restaurateur has launched Bar Mercer in Soho on the identical block, on the nook of Mercer and Houston.
The eatery, at 25 West Houston, at the moment stands the place McDonald’s former seafood-centric Mexican eatery, Bar Tulix, with Chef Justin Bazdarich, as soon as stood, and the place his Burger & Barrel stood earlier than that. (McDonald tells Facet Dish that Bazdarich left for Finland “for personal reasons,” and that he then determined to alter the area’s idea, as an alternative of its chef.)
“It’s hard to believe I’m opening a bar and restaurant where MercBar — a bar and lounge — opened 30 years ago,” McDonald mentioned.
The 1,700 sq. foot area seats 65 individuals with a further 12 seats on the bar. The elevated pub-style menu is from Chef Preston Clark, the manager chef at McDonald’s Lure Fishbar for the previous decade. Bar Mercer’s menu choices embrace a uncooked bar, steaks, chops and signature dishes, comparable to home made pigs in a blanket, rooster liver pate, crispy branzino bar sliders, steak tartare frites with a poached quail egg, and ongoing blackboard specials — in addition to oysters ordered uncooked, “crispy fried” or broiled.
Entrees embrace hangover pasta with chitarra, ham, bacon, sunny facet egg, pecorino and black pepper, in addition to seared entire branzino and “English” fish and chips. There’s additionally a worldwide wine and spirits listing, with cocktails categorized by spirit.
The room’s design is low key darkish, with excessive gloss deep pink partitions, wine cupboards, classic chairs and many artwork and pictures — together with classic photographs of Mercer Road.
“I believe we are filling a big void in the area, with a bar and restaurant that take food seriously, but in a somewhat casual manner, not fancy, and with no gimmicks — just a small focused menu,” McDonald mentioned.
For now, it’s dinner solely, with brunch coming this spring.
McDonald’s Mercer Road Hospitality firm additionally owns Lure Fishbar, a 21-year-staple in Soho that’s survival is now threatened by Prada, a worldwide model that has taken over the constructing’s lease from investor and artwork patron Peter Brandt. McDonald pays $2 million a 12 months for its 5000 sq. foot area — within the basement! — and is a cult favourite for generatons of New Yorkers in enterprise, the humanities, and academia, who’re coming again with their children and, in some instances, grandchildren.
Prada reportedly wished to interchange Lure Fishbar with a Prada designer branded cafe. However a devilish transfer, like pushing out an area favourite, is just not search for the picture aware model.
McDonald says he’s nonetheless hoping he’ll be capable of renegotiate his lease, which expires in early 2026.
“There’s been no official contact from Prada, but I am optimistic that they will choose to extend our lease and partner in preserving the magic that happens there every day and night and do what’s best for Soho,” McDonald tells Facet Dish.
