Former Location of Riverview Restaurant where American Brass will open (Photo: Queens Post)
April 19, 2019 By Christian Murray
The new restaurant that is moving into the space previously occupied by Riverview on Center Boulevard is expected to open by the end of August.
The new establishment, to be called American Brass, is a concept by the owners of Maiella, the large Italian restaurant located at 4610 Center Blvd.
Tommy Demaras, one of the three partners in American Brass, told Community Board 2’s Landuse Committee Wednesday night that they are currently working on renovating the establishment with the goal of opening in about four months.
He was at the meeting to discuss their sidewalk seating plan, which will be the same as Riverview’s.
Demaras with Kate Hudson at Maiella in 2015
Demaras, who will own American Brass with Robert Briskin and Raffaele Solinas, said that the restaurant will be an American brasserie that will offer classic dishes ranging from seafood, meats, burgers, salads and other plates from varying cuisines.
“American comfort food. Nice. Casual” Demaras said.
He told the Landuse Committee that it would be something along the lines of “The Smith,” a popular restaurant group in Manhattan.
The site will seat about 160 people inside. Damaras said that they anticipate setting up about 48 seats outside.
The restaurant will offer valet parking, like most restaurants on the strip.
Briskin told the LIC Post last June that the trio had eyed the Riverview site for years, and had been in conversations with Tony Raouf, the owner, for some time.
An opportunity came to take over the space when the restaurant had to close due to an issue with the sprinklers at the beginning of 2018. It never reopened.
