CLIFTON — About 15 months after it abruptly closed on Mother's Day weekend 2023, the popular Grande Saloon is expected to reopen under new ownership.
The new owners, keenly aware of the eatery's popularity and the disappointment expressed by its patrons when it permanently closed without explanation, said they are being judicious in the changes they are making. Some upgrades are sweeping, they said, while others are more subtle, such as dropping the "e" from the saloon's name, which adorned the business since it opened in 1974.
The reopening will take place in the next few weeks, definitely by the beginning of August, owners said.
Grand Saloon in Clifton has new owners
Much of the upgrades needed to be done, said Andrew DeMicco, who bought the 50-year-old pub-style restaurant with his brother Joel last year.
"While we wanted to keep the heritage," DeMicco said, "we also had to remove a lot of stuff."
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The heating and air conditioning system had to be replaced, new paint was needed on the outside and inside and the buckled floors needed to be relaid and sanded. The brothers said the drop or suspended ceilings had sagged so they removed them and left the higher ceilings.
"The saloon was relatively dark," DeMicco said. "Once you add height you add light."
Other decisions were based on what today's patrons want to see, such as a cocktail menu and new beer taps. They said there are a dozen new taps that can fill a pint in seven seconds.
The DeMicco brothers also own Harvest and Ale in Oakland, the Pizza Plank Co. in Saddle Brook and Heights Bar and Grill in Hasbrouck Heights. They said they would take what they have learned from running those establishments and apply it to make the Grand Saloon the go-to place to relax and grab a quick bite and drink.
"We want a place where people feel comfortable," he said. "Where they will come when they don't want to or it's too hot to cook," DeMicco said.
Why did Clifton's Grande Saloon close?
The Van Houten Avenue establishment was previously owned by partners James Visconti and Nick Cimmino and sat on property owned by Gregory Visconti, James' brother. Their embroilment in legal battles, some involving one another, ultimately led to the saloon's "temporary" closing in May 2023.
The closing turned permanent last August when the "for sale" signs were placed in front of the saloon. After watching for a bit, DeMicco said he and his brother decided to buy the business and have the option to buy the building as well.
New American menu at the Grand Saloon
Besides the 12 new beer taps and new American menu, Grand Saloon will also feature freshly made cocktail ingredients.
"There will be no Rose's lime juice," he said. "We will make our own syrups and our bartenders will start the day by juicing 75 to 100 limes."
As far as food, Grand Saloon will feature steaks, burgers and buttermilk fried chicken.
"The burgers will be from grass-fed cows," he said. "We will probably have a charcuterie plate and maybe some whipped ricotta that will go with our freshly made focaccia."
The menu will be rotated at least four times a year, DeMicco said.
What will the inside of the Grand Saloon in Clifton look like?
DeMicco said his workers removed 24 TVs and hundreds of feet of cable and will replace them with eight wireless TVs.
For those familiar with the interior of the saloon, the brothers removed the wall between the ground floor bar and the dining room.
The saloon's downstairs bar has been remodeled and the walk-in refrigerator rebuilt.
Entertainment will likely be limited to acoustic bands, and closing time, at least during the week, will be about midnight. Weekend hours will be played by ear, DeMicco said.
So far, counting the alcohol, the brothers have spent about $250,000 to refurbish the Grand Saloon.
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