A New Owner For A Landmark Restaurant

By John Voket

A familiar Dodgingtown landmark will soon be boasting new décor, and the savory tastes of long-time favorites will compete with new Tuscan entrees to tempt customers’ pallets. On July 11, George’s Pizza & Restaurant at 1 Dodgingtown Road was sold to another local restauranteur.

John Tambascio, who also co-owns My Place Restaurant on Queen Street, purchased the business and the property it occupies at the hairpin curve of Route 302 in two separate transactions. According to the property transfer posted that date with the town clerk, an entity called JCT, LLC paid $950,000 for the land and building.

While specific financial details of the transaction to acquire the business name and personal property were not revealed, the local assessor has fixed the full value of personal property within the facility at $104,297. The new operating enterprise for the restaurant is known as Tambascio’s Italian Grill, LLC.

It has not been determined yet if the name of the restaurant will change with the new ownership.

What will change is the interior décor and some aspects of the menu, Mr Tambascio told The Bee Tuesday.

“It has certainly been a whirlwind these past two weeks,” Mr Tambascio said. “But we have been busy freshening up the interior, putting in some new furnishings, and replastering the dining room to make it look more authentic to the cuisine we are planning.”

To help make the Tuscan transition as authentic as possible, Mr Tambascio said he just returned from a trip to Tuscany, where he took several culinary workshops on Tuscan foods and wines.

The sign in front of the business Wednesday reflected a Tuscan steak dinner getting top billing among specials being offered.

“We’re going to be adding a number of new Tuscan steak and fish entrées,” he added.

Mr Tambascio was quick to say that George’s regulars also have several house favorites he plans to keep on the menu after the transition is complete in a few weeks. A grand reopening event is in the planning process, he said.