20170511_XQC_QNE_p042

QC05112017

42 THE QUEENS COURIER • LIVING IN BAYSIDE • MAY 11, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM living in bayside Restaurant at historic Bayside mansion gets new management BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com / @smont76 Th e historic Bayside mansion near the Th rogs Neck Bridge that has been one of the neighborhood’s most popular eateries through the years will be under new management later this month, a city agency said. According to Parks Department spokesperson Meghan Lalor, the restaurant at 201-10 Cross Island Pkwy., a former mansion that silent fi lm actor Rudolph Valentino and former Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia once called home, will begin operating as Vivo Mediterranean Grille on Wednesday, May 24. Th e site is currently operated as Vivaldi’s Ristorante by 123 Restaurant Group. Gieto Nicaj and Paul Nicaj, two relatives who are also well established in the New York City food and beverage industry, will run operations at the soon-to-be Vivo Mediterranean Grille. Paul Nicaj, who resides in Whitestone, operates Battery Gardens Restaurant in Manhattan. Vivaldi’s will continue to operate at the site until May 23, and Vivo Mediterranean Grille will open the following day, ensuring that there won’t be any service disruptions, according to the Parks Department. “Th is represents a change in the site’s operator without any break in service for the public,” Lalor said of the transition. Last year, the Parks Department — which owns the historic mansion near the Clearview Golf Course — and Vivaldi’s Ristorante mutually agreed to an early termination of its license agreement. Shortly thereaft er, Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver issued a public request for proposal (RFP), inviting interested parties to apply to take over the operation, renovation and maintenance of the facility. In reviewing applicants, the city agency was looking for a new operator “willing to continue providing high-quality dining and banquet services to New Yorkers at the world-class location,” according to Lalor. Th e restaurant and event venue boasts beautiful views of northern Queens and is fl anked by the Clearview Golf Course. The restaurant and banquet facility located at 201-10 Cross Island Parkway in Bayside. Vivaldi’s Ristorante took over the space in May 2013. Prior to that, the restaurant File photo was operated as Patrizia’s, Valentino’s on the Green and Caff é on the Green. Lightsaber training at Bell Boulevard sports festival this month On May 21, Th e Empire Saber Guild will be teaching aspiring Jedi of all ages lightsaber classes at the Bell Boulevard Sports and Health Festival in support of St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. Empire Saber Guild is a non-profi t, all-volunteer organization that specializes in lightsaber stage choreography, education, and community events. Saber Guild across the US, in Europe, and Asia, have taught and performed in all kinds of places including hospitals and baseball stadiums. Our mission is to share our love of Star Wars with people of all ages and to follow the Jedi path of spreading hope and good will wherever we go. We aim to transport our audiences to a galaxy far, far away… As defenders of the galaxy, our main focus is to raise awareness and money to support causes such as St. Mary’s Hospital for Children. Empire Temple’s emphasis on charity has created a culture of giving and community service that our members take pride in. Not only are we actor combatants and costumers who love bringing our Star Wars fandom to life, we also tell stories about the Force and improvise with our youngest fans about the lessons we can learn from both sides that wield it. Every time a child smiles, we feel like real Jedi. For more information go to www.baysidevillagebid. com or Empiresaberguild. com. Photos courtesy of the Empire Saber Guild For additional information on Empire Saber Guild, call Rubin Polizzi at 917- 270-0341.


QC05112017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above