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Mostly Cloudy and Windy Grillfire fires up in Merrick
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George Korten, owner of six restaurants in Nassau and Queens counties, described the eatery's offerings as "comfort foods with flair," at a price point suited to the times. Korten, who has been a leader with the George Martin Group since its inception nearly 20 years ago, explained that each meal is enhanced by a company-wide passion for quality and hospitality.
The menu, conceptualized by Korten and executive corporate chef Frank Greco, who oversees the kitchen staff at all six locations, boasts a menu with a decidedly George Martin accent. "We'll do a meatloaf Wellington instead of just meatloaf, which is also a twist on beef Wellington," said Korten.
Those familiar with the original Grillfire in Rockville Centre will recognize the majority of menu items, ranging from steak and seafood to macaroni and cheese. There are also a few new dishes created for the Merrick location. Among these, Korten and Greco touted the Coconut Crusted Crab Munchkins appetizer as one not to be missed.
Korten estimated that an average dinner at Grillfire will cost $20 to $22 per person, and less for lunch and brunch, making both Grillfires the least expensive George Martin restaurants when compared with the original George Martin in Rockville Centre, George Martin's Coastal Grill and Nick D'Angelo's in Long Beach, and George Martin's Tap Room in Douglaston, Queens.
Korten said he hopes to compete with national chains such as Outback Steakhouse, Houston's and T.G.I. Fridays. "I feel there's a void in the American dinerhouse genre," he said.
Grillfire seats 135 guests, most at booths with seats upholstered in a modern blue-and-brown checkered pattern surrounding glossy wooden tables. Similarly patterned lamps are placed throughout the dining room, radiating a warm, low light. The bar, which lines the eatery's east wall in front of a waterfall, might host entertainment in the future, Korten said. Nick Gargano, a lifelong Merrick resident and George Martin Group partner, was the restaurant's lead builder.
"We hope to be a part of the Merrick-Bellmore family, where they feel proud to have a restaurant like this in their backyard," said Korten.
Grillfire is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:30a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Brunch is served from 11:30a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
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The menu, conceptualized by Korten and executive corporate chef Frank Greco, who oversees the kitchen staff at all six locations, boasts a menu with a decidedly George Martin accent. "We'll do a meatloaf Wellington instead of just meatloaf, which is also a twist on beef Wellington," said Korten.
Those familiar with the original Grillfire in Rockville Centre will recognize the majority of menu items, ranging from steak and seafood to macaroni and cheese. There are also a few new dishes created for the Merrick location. Among these, Korten and Greco touted the Coconut Crusted Crab Munchkins appetizer as one not to be missed.
Korten estimated that an average dinner at Grillfire will cost $20 to $22 per person, and less for lunch and brunch, making both Grillfires the least expensive George Martin restaurants when compared with the original George Martin in Rockville Centre, George Martin's Coastal Grill and Nick D'Angelo's in Long Beach, and George Martin's Tap Room in Douglaston, Queens.
Korten said he hopes to compete with national chains such as Outback Steakhouse, Houston's and T.G.I. Fridays. "I feel there's a void in the American dinerhouse genre," he said.
"We hope to be a part of the Merrick-Bellmore family, where they feel proud to have a restaurant like this in their backyard," said Korten.
Grillfire is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 11:30a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Brunch is served from 11:30a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
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