Springwater Inn likely to open in July

UPDATE JULY 10, 2009 - SPRINGWATER INN OPENING JULY 11TH.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Heyyyyy I do believe I have an exclusive here.  The Times Union's Table Hopping Blog reported this past winter that Springwater Bistro would be closing in May because chef David Britton decided not to renew his lease.  Table Hopping further reported that the owners of the beautiful Victorian building, at the corner of Union and Nelson Avenues, were looking for new proprietors to run the restaurant.  I stopped by recently to take some pictures of the building, or more specifically the signpost that held the now removed Springwater Bistro sign, and bumped into the owners Leslie and Peter DiCarlo. 

I wanted the picture to underscore the point that Springwater Bistro was definitely gone, and then I intended to comment further on the subject from there. After talking to the DiCarlos, I found out that not only is the planned Springwater Bed and Breakfast they are building behind the restaurant on George Street coming along nicely (pictures below), but also that rather than finding other proprietors to run the restaurant in the beautiful Victorian Building at the corner of Union and Nelson Avenues, they have now decided to run the restaurant themselves.  They plan to call it simply Springwater Inn, and may be able to open by July 5th.  If my memory of the discussion I had serves me right, a July 5th opening would make it 20 years to the day from when they originally opened the restaurant. The DiCarlos ran the restaurant for twelve years under the same Springwater Inn name before leasing the space to Britton.

It's a beautiful setting and it's right near my home, so I plan on visiting early and often.  It's great to see restaurants thrive downtown, but I also believe that having successful restaurants in the neighborhoods, such as Beekman Street and of course Union Avenue, is important to our city's uniqueness and vitality.  I wish the DiCarlos luck and I thank them for being so willing to share their vision and plans with me.

 

Above: crews work on water lines going to the planned Springwater Bed and Breakfast, seen behind the construction equipment. Below: the front and side of the building. Bottom: The side and rear of the building.

 

Comments

[spiritoflife]

We heard that Randy from the Dove Gate Inn in Schuylerville might be opening at the Springwater...maybe he will be the chef??

[Jess]

I ate there about 3 or 4 years ago. They had a nice selection of tapas on the menu, which is something that no other restaurants in Saratoga do, as far as I know. Good luck, Springwater Inn!

[Dan]

Hi and thanks to both of you for commenting. I am not so familiar with the local chefs but it seems like you are fond of Randy - if so then I hope it works out. And Jess you are right for the most part about Saratoga Restaurants, although Max London's has a nice selection of small plates.

[KT]

Speaking of David Britton ... we happened to be at Springwater on the last night. David had his new "Pie on Wheels" (think that's the name) truck parked outside and was serving great thin crust pizza and roast pig from his mobile oven. It was great!
Keep your eye out for this new venture. Not sure where he will turn up but heard he's looking for a parking spot by the Track.