Leone's Manager Praises South Park Street Redesign Project

Few projects in the township have drawn as much praise—and as much criticism—as the much-anticipated South Park Street redevelopment plan that's scheduled to begin any day now so that it can be completed by July 1, 2012.

At a township council meeting earlier this month, a contract for $901,581 was awarded to D&S Land Development for the improvement project. The council also agreed to purchase $45,200 in decorative street lighting for the project from Turtle and Hughes Inc.

Although many residents have stood up at council meetings to blast their leaders for spending so much money in a troubled economy, there's at least one group that appears to be behind the controversial redesign: the business owners along South Park Street.

On Monday, Michael Restaino, manager of at 19 South Park Street, said the redevelopment project will be a boon for business—and will even lead him to start serving brunch.

"People will want to sit outside and soon they'll be able to," he said, adding that he'd like to offer seating for as many as 100 people outdoors if possible.

Located between two popular brunch spots— and —Restaino said his restaurant will serve more of an Italian-style brunch featuring items such as polenta waffles topped with various fruits as well as breakfast pizzas adorned with pear, gorgonzola, and other tasty nuggets.

Currently, Leone's opens at 11:30 a.m. and serves only lunch and dinner.

"Once the redevelopment project is done we'll start opening at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. depending on the flow," Restaino said.

In general, he and other business owners said that the South Park Street project is an absolute must.

"The sidewalks have been so bad for so long ... they are not only narrow but they have holes, cracks, and are just not safe for the elderly and for people with strollers," Restaino said.

"We will lose a little parking with the redesign project but all in all it's going to be a great thing," he said.

As an aside, Restaino noted that Leone's has recently started delivering food to homes in Montclair, Upper Montclair, Glen Ridge, and Cedar Grove and Verona.

Leone's made headlines last year when Gordon Ramsay and his crew showed up and spent several days at the restaurant in early July. They revamped the decor of Leone's—painting, changing art, adding table clothes—as well as changing the menu.

Restaino said the restaurant will only draw more attention once the South Park Street project is completed.

That project will result in:

—A flush 6 ft. wide median with trees and portable planters for seasonal plantings.

—Parallel parking along each side, reducing on-street parking capacity from 29 to 14.

—Wider, tree-lined sidewalks on each side with room for outdoor seating.

—Other public amenities, including café seating (not affiliated with existing restaurants); an “Arts Court” consisting of a small grove of trees and benches, and an information kiosk proposed by the Montclair Center Business Improvement District.

For more on the background of the project go

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