When restaurateurs Peter Croese and Silvio DiMeglio were introduced by a mutual friend a few years back, they realized they had a lot in common.
Both were in the family-owned restaurant business and both had dreams of expanding their horizons.
Now, DiMeglio, owner of “Silvios” on South Broadway in Yonkers, has partnered with Croese of Rudy”™s Beau Rivage catering hall in Dobbs Ferry in a joint venture to establish “Windows on the Hudson.”
The new Windows on the Hudson will be unveiled after a two-year revitalization of the catering hall, which is housed in a mid-19th century Victorian mansion overlooking the Hudson River. Meantime, working around the improvements, the restaurant will remain open, including several seatings for Valentine”™s Day.
“It was time for renovating and making changes to the facility and to the business,” Croese said. “By partnering with him, it allows us to both pursue dreams.”
For DiMeglio, the dream was to have a catering facility in addition to his restaurant.
For Croese, a principle partner in a new endeavor called Paradigm Equity Partners, a real estate consulting firm dealing in replacement property for clients performing a 1031 exchange, the deal allows more time to devote to his real estate career.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Croese family ownership of Rudy”™s Beau Rivage on Route 9. Both partners agree it”™s time for a change.
Croese will handle business development, consulting and marketing, while DiMeglio will handle day-to-day responsibilities.
Renovations will be done both internally and externally to enhance the panoramic view of the Hudson River.
The remodeling will include outdoor terrace space, facelifts for the ballrooms and common areas along with facade changes ”“ including eliminating the famous red facade.
“We want to bring it to a level that this location didn”™t have before,” DiMeglio said. “We want it to be very eye-catching. It”™s definitely dated and we want to bring it back to life with newer ideas.”
Those newer ideas include an elegant feel, with light colors, marble, big windows and a terrace with a view.
Although Croese did not have a specific cost of the renovations yet, as they are in preliminary stages, he noted the work will be “very expensive.”
“Right now, it”™s conceptual,” Croese said. “We”™re tossing around ideas and will brainstorm with the town to see how we can make it work.”
DiMeglio said once renovations are complete, he would like to work with local businesses and host corporate events, such as seminars with luncheon packages, at the facility.
There will also be a little new taste and flavor to the food, with DiMeglio actively supervising the chefs and the menu.
DiMeglio said Rudy”™s has made “milestone changes” already ”“ last week, 110 senior citizens dined at the facility, and many of them kissed him after the meal and thanked him for the delicious food.
“Every person that walks out happy is a success,” DiMeglio said. “And that”™s what we want to bring to the table.”
