GENESEO, NY — Geneseo’s newest restaurant, The Nines at Livingston Country Club, opened March 8 with a completely new interior look.
Proprietor Craig Chiara took a lease of the restaurant building last September and by mid October had commenced remodeling. The tavern room and adjacent table area now have a more open, less formal atmosphere, “warm and relaxing” as Craig describes it, with a large new TV visible from all quarters.
“We striped everything down and put things in here we thought people would like,” Craig said.
Absolutely everything inside is brand new and of superb quality: the bar, tables and chairs, flooring, stone on the walls and light fixtures. There is a new front entryway which will be enhanced with a stone walkway in the spring. Persons and parties coming principally to dine are now using the front entrance.
“If the public wants to come in and they don’t want to bring their family through the bar, they have the option of going through the front door,” Craig noted. “There are two separate entrances now and we have created a separate area for quieter dining.”
The new room adjacent the bar is suitable for those preferring casual dining. For a more formal dining atmosphere, the front dining room and board room are available, both likewise remodeled. The board room is where the County Club directors meet, but it is open to the public most of the time. It can accommodate about 25 persons in a private setting.
The total interior/winter seating of the restaurant is 106.
In the summer, there will be full service outdoor dining. Capacity increases substantially, and includes 175 spots under the Country Club tent and seating on the deck with tables and umbrellas. Still to come is a stamped concrete patio off the deck which will host seating for another 50 customers.
The full menu is available wherever you chose to sit.
The new menu has been designed with variety and flexibility to suit any and all tastes.
“We wanted a menu where everyone can find something they want,” Craig advised. “We have great chicken wings with great sauces all the way up to shimi grade ahi tuna. It won’t be uncommon for someone sitting at the bar eating center cut filet mignon to be next to someone eating chicken wings. We want every customer to feel comfortable, like this is his home base. For the golfers, we want to restore the clubhouse atmosphere.”
The menu has a solid healthy choice section along with out-of-the-ordinary selections ranging from paninis, wraps and Craig’s grandmother’s mariana and meatball recipe.
The Nines will be open year around seven days a week from 11:00 am to midnight, naturally serving County Club members and course users, but also as a restaurant for the non-golfing general public. Breakfast will be served on weekend mornings, 7:00 to 11:00 am; lunch every day and dinner every evening. Golfers can have breakfast sandwiches delivered on the course.
“We’re a semi-private course, but we’re open to the public and we welcome everyone here,” Craig emphasized.
Reservations are not necessary, but are recommended for parties numbering more than eight. Call 243 1222.
Craig has a stake in seeing the restaurant and County Club prosper as a unit. He and his father Dan Chiara have close ties to the Club. Craig is an equity member and an officer with a 20-plus year association. Dan is a past president.
“This was an opportunity I was really fortunate to get,” Craig stated. “I have a well thought out business plan and have spent a lot of time creating a clear vision for the business.”
Craig is the former proprietor of the Idle Hour, having operated that business from 1994 until last year. His familiarity with the bar industry is complimented by two staffers with established reputations for serving good food: Executive chef Dan Mullin who is assisted by Ian McBride, both formerly of the Big Tree Inn. The Nines’ expansive menu is the creative product of Craig and his two chefs.
“Our objective was to bring something to this community which has been missing,” Craig said. “For a long time I think Geneseo has needed one of those restaurants with everything: a friendly atmosphere, great food and affordable pricing — where people can feel comfortable.”
“I think we’ve done that. Now that restaurant is here.”
Would be so nice to see a menu on linealong with prices Thanks Anna Hager
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