Date: Fri 05-Jul-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

business-George's-restaurant

Full Text:

with cuts: George's Promises A New Look But The Same Service

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Keeping up with decorating trends and staying competitive is important in the

restaurant industry, according to George Hoti. And that is what prompted him

to make changes to his establishment George's Pizza and Restaurant on Route

302 in Dodgingtown.

"We've been wanting to do it for six years, but we had a lease," said Mr Hoti.

"Last year, in July, my family and I bought the property and began planning

changes."

Interior changes to the restaurant include a new take-out window in the foyer

that will allow for a "better flow" of patron traffic. The dining room was

repainted with a base of light green that will be sponge-painted and then

glazed. Acting on his nephew's suggestion, Mr Hoti installed acoustic ceiling

tiles in the entire restaurant, and that has greatly reduced the noise level,

he said.

A bar with four stools has also been added so people can have a drink while

they wait for a table. Although the restaurant went smoke-free in May of 1994,

smoking will now be permitted at the bar only. A $4,800 air cleaner was

installed over the bar which, along with the air condition vent and a fan,

will prevent smoke from wafting into the dining area, according to Mr Hoti.

"We wanted to make sure we had a solution before the problem," he said.

Greenhouse dining will be available as soon as renovations are complete. An

additional five tables will be placed in this new area.

New lighting fixtures are part of the new decor. And the bathrooms will be

wallpapered and have new floors "to complement the rest of the building," said

Mr Hoti. "In this industry, you really need to spend money to redecorate every

seven to ten years," he added.

The menu at George's Pizza and Restaurant will remain the same. "We are very

well known for our pizza," said Mr Hoti. "Our [next] biggest thing is seafood

- clams, mussels, fresh sea and bay scallops. And every weekend we have either

fresh swordfish, salmon, or tuna fish; lobster, softshell crabs, and calamari

when it is in season." Osso buco is also offered as a special. Menu items also

include veal, chicken, and an array of specialty pasta dishes.

The restaurant has a full service bar. Thirty different kinds of wine may be

purchased, and wine is available b the glass or carafe; 15 different beers are

available.

"My son was six-and-a-half when we moved here. He said, 'Daddy, I love

Newtown. I'm going to live here the rest of my life,'" recalled Mr Hoti. "We

plan to make this our home for many, many years to come."