Fuss & O'Neill, Inc. - News Release Archive
9 January, 2007
By Karen Maserjian Shan for the Poughkeepsie Journal
Article originally appeared in the January 9, 2007 edition of The Poughkeepsie Journal
Drizzling rain Monday afternoon couldn't dampen the spirits of the customers and crew at Shadows on the Hudson, the Bonura family's new waterfront restaurant in Poughkeepsie.
About 100 diners ate lunch at the establishment on its first day and all went smoothly, said Joseph Bonura Jr., who was general contractor for the project as it was going up and now heads the restaurant.
"I think back to when the site was a contaminated brownfield," he said. "And now it's cleaned up and a productive site. Today it's very exciting to have customers in Shadows."
Located at 176 Rinaldi Boulevard and adjacent to The Grandview, the Bonura's event facility, Shadows marks the completion of Phase I of the City of Poughkeepsie and the Bonura family's waterfront development project. Phase II, which is expected to begin in spring 2008 on the former DeLaval site, will include four mixed-use buildings housing office, retail and restaurant space, along with a marina and park.
Set overlooking the Hudson River, Shadows was designed with the help of Newburgh-based architect Marshall Rosenblum and interior designer Jeff Cahill of Manhattan. The 2,200-square-foot facility includes a large bar/lounge area, four dining rooms and a long outdoor deck with a bar (which will open in April). Now able to accommodate 280 guests, the addition of warm weather seating in April will provide for another 100 customers.
Each of the facility's dining rooms has a different theme and look: the purple/red Sunset room; the all-white and silver-beaded Winter room; the True River Room that has a bark-like wall covering; and the Sunrise Deck, which is framed by 200 feet of hurricane-rated glass walls that can be removed on balmy days for open outdoor eating and unobstructed views of the Hudson River.
Behind the interior lounge/bar's granite counter is an oversized high definition television composed of nine seamlessly abutting screens. The bar staff was trained for 13 days by Las Vegas bar consultant and mixologist, Tobin Ellis of BarMagic and Food Network fame.
"Our bar is a cocktail bar," Bonura said. "It's not an Irish Pub, it's not a wine bar."
James McIver Jr. and three of his business associates enjoyed an opening-day meal at the restaurant. McIver's company, Fuss & O'Neill of New York in Poughkeepsie, did remedial work on the building site.
"This was a hole in the ground and now it's really something beautiful," said McIver, who lunched on the Ahi Tuna. "The food is excellent."
Views are 'gorgeous'
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Karl Rabe photo |
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James D. McIver, Jr., associate, Fuss and O'Neill of New York, PC, at Shadows on the Hudson opening day Monday, January 8, 2007, in the City of Poughkeepsie.
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Peter Marrocco and his friends, Kurt and Kevin Gemmell of Highland-based Gap Excavating, who also worked on the building site, celebrated the restaurant's opening with a fantastic view of river from their table on the Sunrise Deck.
"The place is gorgeous," Marrocco said. "The service is excellent. I really liked the nice greeting we got."
Brian Rexhouse, president of the Dutchess Putnam Restaurant and Tavern Association and owner of Goodfellas Inn in Hopewell Junction, said with its expansive size, Shadows will likely draw large business groups.
"I think the big places draw a different clientele than the small, independent restaurants are dealing with," he said. "I think you're going to get more corporate (customers)."
Shadows took two years to build (counting a year of remedial site work) and cost $12 million to construct, plus remedial work and other expenses. The 140-person staff is mainly from this area, including students from the Culinary Institute of America and other local colleges.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and soon will serve Sunday brunch. Fish, chicken, steaks, pasta and sandwiches are served, with most entrees in the $14 range.
There's also a kids' menu.
"This is a family restaurant," Bonura said. "We want people to come and enjoy a family dinner."
Karen Maserjian Shan can be reached at journalhomes@optonline.net
