July 31, 2007: New Restaurant Opens in Pulaski

PULASKI, NY-- River House Restaurant, a new 3,500-square-foot, year-round facility located in the heart of Pulaski’s historical district, celebrated its grand opening Tuesday, July 31.

The 124-seat restaurant unofficially opened in June and has already been serving 120-220 customers per day, according to owner Frank Catanzarite.

“The village of Pulaski is a great area in terms of tourism, business and history, but when we started to put a plan together for the restaurant, the only thing lacking in the village was a restaurant. Since we started our plans for River House, other restaurants have opened and have given Pulaski and surrounding area a nice selection of places at which to dine out,” Catanzarite said.

According to Catanzarite, a Pulaski resident, he began plans to open the restaurant in 2005 after deciding to “take a break” from his job as an electrical designer at Constellation’s Nine Mile Point, and also because he wanted to give back to his community.

“Although the restaurant business is not an easy business to get financing for, there were people in the community that I worked with that were extremely helpful such as Dave Dano from Operation Oswego County, John Halleron from the Small Business Development Center, Shelley Smith from New York Business Development Corporation, and Steve Gaffney from Community Bank. Without them, this would not have happened,” said Catanzarite.

The restaurant was constructed on the site of the former Log Cabin and Randall House restaurants, both of which burned down. In addition to the tasteful, warm décor throughout the facility, Catanzarite has paid homage to the restaurant history associated with their site by naming and decorating two of the dining rooms in honor of its predecessors. The facility also features a full-service bar and an extensive parking lot.

River House’s menu boasts a diverse selection of standard favorites including French Onion Soup, prime rib, Haddock sandwiches and homemade, fresh desserts, but it also includes some unique dishes such as Poutine (French fries, melted cheese and gravy—a Canadian favorite), veal with gorgonzola cream sauce and Chicken Riesling. A children’s menu is also available.

When deciding on menu items, Catanzarite’s main priority is his customers.

“We have daily specials and we’re always listening to our customers and making changes to the menu in order to give them what they’re looking for,” he said.

“The establishment of an all-season fine dinning restaurant in the Pulaski will nicely compliment the area’s reputation of being a growing residential community and tourism destination,” said New York State Assemblyman Will Barclay. “I wish Mr. Catanzarite the best of luck with River House Restaurant and I believe that his success will also be Pulaski's success. I also would like to thank Operation Oswego County for its assistance in helping River House Restaurant getting started.”

“River House has already become an anchor location in our community. I have enjoyed several fine meals there since opening. Frank and his staff are doing a tremendous job, they are a welcome addition to the selection of the great places to dine in eastern Oswego County,” said Oswego County Legislator Shawn Doyle, District 3, Pulaski.

The restaurant created 32 jobs and received funding assistance from the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency (IDA), a Small Business Administration 504 loan through Operation Oswego County (OOC), New York Business Development Corporation and Community Bank.

“River House is a beautiful facility that honors the historical character of the property as well as the Pulaski area, while offering its patrons a casual, comfortable atmosphere to enjoy its diverse menu selections,” said L. Michael Treadwell, CEcD, executive director of OOC, a private, non-profit organization working to enhance and protect the economic climate of Oswego County. “OOC and the IDA were pleased to provide assistance for this project and we look forward to their continued growth and success in Oswego County.”

For more information about River House Restaurant, call 509-4281.

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