New Haven Independent

Pictured is Martin himself. Martin D. Ferrari, who explained his plans for two new — and related — eateries he’d like to open on the river at Clifton Street in Fair Haven Heights. Board of Zoning Appeals members’ appetites were whetted at their monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Ferrari is a long-time restauranteur who most recently operated Martin’s on the Guilford Green and Martin’s (formerly Sam’s) Dockside in Branford. (Does this man like his first name?)

He proposes to turn Kiraku, a Japanese restaurant which has closed down, into an upscale adult-oriented restaurant — no bands, no late night drinking, no club atmosphere. And he plans to turn Stillwater into a separate catering/party-rental facility to be called Bridgeview. He’s putting in banquettes and reconfiguring the seating in both places. There will be no external changes beyond a paint job, a canvas covering the old Stillwater entry way and some other cosmetic touches on the outside.

BZA members voted to refer the matter to the City Plan Commission for a coastal site plan review.

Even though the two former restaurants’ total number of seats would not increase under the new configuration, still, as always, BZA members were concerned about parking, especially if Bridgeview and Martin’s Waterfront are dual successes, as Ferrari feels they will be.

Enter Ferrari’s landlord, Joel Schiavone. The Clifton-side parking lot will be repaved and relaned, Ferrari said, For crowded, perhaps sell-out nights, Schiavone has offered the two new restaurants valet parking on his still undeveloped lots off Grand Avenue right off the bridge.

“Things are tough,” Ferrari told a reporter about why those surfaces would be available, “and Joel hasn’t developed that site yet.”

Part of a stretch of the neighborhood Schiavone has dubbed “Quinnipiac River Village,” the bridge location is slated to be a combination of condominiums and restaurants and become a kind of town square for Fair Haven. Despite some initial hoopla, the site has been vacant for several years. “The recession,” said Ferrari, “isn’t making it any easier.”

And what will happen to the valet parking down the road if Schiavone does find the financing and is able to develop?

“Oh,” said Ferrari, “I have first right of refusal on that site. I actually want to open up a seafood restaurant there.”

But one restaurant — or two — at a time. Ferrari told the board that customers at the two eateries would not be able to go from one to the other, that they are separate entities, although the kitchens, which are adjacent, will be connected and support each other as business goes.

Ferrari, who has sold his other restaurants, is excited about the new location, its closeness to the water, and the community support. “I have faith,” he said, “in the town and in the location.”

Ferrari was only going to rent out the Kiraku location, he added. But when the owner of Stillwater, Joe Dunleavy, decided to close down for personal reasons and the lease became available, Schiavone, a friend whom he called a kind of visionary, convinced him to open two. Dunleavy will remain on as the chief chef.

Since the only changes Ferrari is making are interior, he expects the BZA will give him the special exception he’s seeking — technically, permission to operate two restaurants under one management — expeditiously. If so, he expects to be open for business by April.

The zoners referred the matter for the coastal site plan review because of their concerns about a reduction in parking.

Sign Up for Email AlertsEmail This Story

Your Email:

Recipient's Email:
Your Email:
Message (optional):

Your Name:
Your Email:
Message: