Is A New Waterfront Restaurant In The Works?

Just when the Martinez Marina seems poised to be returned either to the state of California or to its original state of marshlands, two prominent restaurant owners stepped forward Wednesday to keep the dream alive.

Tony LoForte, who owns Zio Freado’s in Pleasant Hill and Vallejo, and Dino Gerosolimo of Walnut Creek’s Dino’s, told the council Wednesday that they want to open a new restaurant at the Marina and call it Delmonico’s.

“We believe the Martinez Marina is a gem,” LoForte said. “We want to propose Delmonico’s At The Marina. It’s going to be a fish house, a beef house. It’s going to be for everyone.”

The men showed the council some drawings of the interior, but said will wait to see the city’s willingness to help fund the project before putting exterior drawings together.

“I asked Tony to make a quick presentation,” Mayor Rob Schroder said. “There are a lot of questions to be answered. What do we have control of, what we don’t, at the waterfront. At this point, it’s very initial. All we wanted to do is introduce this concept to the council and see if there was interest in moving forward with discussions.”

“I don’t see why not,” said councilman Mike Menesini. “Anything is possible. These are clearly people who know the business very well.”

He said he would work with Schroder and the two restaurant owners to explore further the long-held dream of returning a restaurant at the Martinez waterfront. 

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