RIVERVIEW RESTAURANT CLOSES, AMERICAN BRASSERIE WILL OPEN

Updated: Confirmed! See interview w/ owners below

WE have heard a rumor that the Riverview Restaurant has closed for good and will be replaced by an American Brasserie owned by the same group as Maiella.  The Riverview, a stalwart housed in the Avalon South building for over a decade, has been shut since New Years Day with its windows papered up and a small sign saying it’s under renovation.  It was probably best known for its large outdoor seating area along Center Boulevard which overlooked the midtown skyline.  As for the new restaurant the description is all we have so far, but given the provenance we should expect something big …and valet parking.

Just got off the phone w/ Robert Briskin who is one of the partners at Maiella.  He confirmed that they will be taking over the space in the next few weeks at which point they will gut the place and give it a completely different layout unrecognizable from it’s previous incarnation.  It will have a full 40′ bar and the American brasserie theme will include a lot of seafood and a considerable raw bar.  Oysters lovers delight – who needs Balthazar?!?  Expect an opening by the end of the year.

//HUNTERS Point South Park Phase II will open on June 21 according to the LICpost.  No word as to whether this portion of the park will be open to the public on July 4.  The Hunters Point Library is still closed though.

HPSP Phase II Opening June 21 – just in time for swimming season

Socrates Sculpture Park Kicks Off Summer Jazz Series June 14 – see the whole list of Jazz and other acts here, because live music is better

Freddy Browne to Put Out Album Called ‘The LIC’ – hopes to put LIC on the map, musically that is

LIC Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney Faces Primary Challenger – has held the office for 25 years