Business notebook: Ye Jolly Onion Inn under new management

Warwick - Ye Jolly Onion Inn on County Route 1 in Pine Island, one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in the Hudson Valley, recently changed ownership. Since April 1, the new owner, Joseph Donnelly, who lives in Warwick with his wife, Linda, and their four children, ages three to 13, has been working hard to improve on the restaurant’s already successful formula. “We have a very experienced chef and we’ve upgraded the quality of our meats, fish and sauces,” said Donnelly. “We’re also planning some major innovations for the future like our celebration of Octoberfest. This has always been a great restaurant but we want to make it even better.” The restaurant will also continue to serve fresh produce purchased from local farms. Ye Jolly Onion Inn gets its name from the fact that half of the onions grown in New York come from the Pine Island area known as the Black Dirt region. And onion soup is still a specialty of the house. Chef Lerox Schnell, who learned his trade serving apprenticeships under master chefs, most recently served as the executive chef at Saratoga Springs Raceway. His impressive résumé includes the Ohio State University Faculty Club, the Marriott Hotel chain and cooking privately for stars in the entertainment industry. According to Donnelly, the current location at the intersection of County Route 1 and Pulasky Highway first opened in 1965 as a truck stop and dormitory for truck drivers. About seven years later, Hans Gross and Walter Greiner Sr. turned the facility into a restaurant. In the late 1980s Gross sold his interest to Greiner, who ran the restaurant until his sons Walter and Jeffrey took over in 1997. The business has been owned and operated by Greiner family members until this year. Donnelly intends to continue the previous owners’ stated policy of serving guests as they would serve their own family and making everyone feel at home and relaxed. Full-course dinners from a large menu featuring specialties such as Pina Colada Shrimp and Marinated Australian Lamb Chops are served in the main dining room. Patrons can also relax with a drink or dine by candlelight in the pub room. Banquet facilities are also available. And there is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings and Karaoke every Wednesday. Ye Jolly Onion Inn is open for dinner Wednesday and Thursday from 5 - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 5 - 10 p.m. and Sundays from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. Lunch is served from 12 - 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the pub room also serves food on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5 - 9 p.m. when the main dining room is closed. For reservations call 258-4277. New location Nothing succeeds like success. That old adage may be why Dave and Carleen Kutyla, owners for the past nine years of C &D’s Old World Bagels in Warwick’s Mitchel Corners shopping plaza, decided to open a second location in Pine Island. That also happens to be the Hamlet where they live with their three children ages 10 to 16. The new store, scheduled to open mid-August, is at 792 County Route 1, adjacent to Green Valley Tack. The large facility will include a waiting area with a TV, a standing bar, a deli counter and table seating. “We’ll operate this store in much the same way as our Warwick shop,” said Carleen Kutyla. “Everything, including our hand rolled bagels, our croissants and other baked goods will be made fresh the same day it is sold. We’ll also feature deli items and we’ll serve coffees, teas and other beverages along with grilled sandwiches and wraps. C & D’s Old World Bagels in Pine Island will be open seven days from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Scenic Farms While you’re in Pine Island visiting Ye Jolly Onion In or C & D’s Old World Bagels, drive over to Scenic Farms Golf Course on Glenwood Road. Stephen Kay and Ron Turek professionally designed the nine-hole executive course, owned by Leonard and Valorie DeBuck. In addition to its beautifully landscaped course, Scenic Farms offers a 32 station, all natural turf driving range complete with visual target greens and yardage markers. There is also a practice putting green, sand bunker and chipping green. And, with every greens fee, Scenic Farms offers a complimentary bucket of practice balls. A golf pro is also on hand for private or group lessons. The greens fees are reasonable and senior discounts are available. For rates and information call 258 -4455. Free performance This Saturday, Aug. 11, at 1:30 p.m., there will be a free performance presented by “On Stage at The Loft Performing Arts Center,” and the professional improvisational group, “Spontaneous Combustion.” This will be a free community event, open to the public. The performance encourages audience participation and promises to be a fun afternoon for the entire family. The improvisational comedy group features a variety of actors, singers and performers, including Dolli Grace who is an understudy with the Broadway Production of Lion King. Saturday’s performance will take place in the Bertoni Gallery Sculpture Garden at 1392 Kings Highway in Sugar Loaf. For information, call 469-0993. Reminder The Warwick Merchants Guild will celebrate its 10th annual “Ladies Night Out” on Thursday evening, Aug. 23, with a rain date set for Friday, Aug. 24. One of the most popular events during “Ladies Night Out,” is the crowning of a “Queen for a Day.” Nomination forms are available at Style Counsel Men on Railroad Avenue and Style Counsel Women on Main Street. Completed nominations must be returned to Style Counsel by next Saturday, Aug. 18. Anyone interested in participating in the 10th annual “Ladies Night Out” as a vendor should call Tim Mullally at: 986-9588.