56th FG Restaurant to Close in August

[moose135]

When the 56th Fighter Group restaurant closes its doors Aug.12, departing with it is a nod to Long Island history. The restaurant is named for an Army Air Forces unit that relied on P-47s, built by Republic Aviation, to achieve a high rate of air-to-air kills in World War II. Located on the grounds of Republic Airport, the restaurant is a part of the Specialty Restaurants Corp. of Anaheim, Calif.

John D. Tallichet, president and chairman of the company...said that "Our landlord has been great to work with" but that plans to move the restaurant next to the American Airpower Museum never materialized. He also said that high taxes and the complexity of dealing with different agencies in trying to make the move had ultimately kept the restaurant from remaining open and moving to next to the museum. "We love the area" and hope to get re-established somewhere nearby, Tallichet said.

Full Story:
http://farmingdale.patch.com/articles/56th-fighter-group-restaurant-s-nod-to-li

It's interesting that Tallichet said they had plans to move next to the AAM, as one of the old proposals for the AAM that I remember hearing was to move to a new building on the Rt110 side of the airport next to the current restaurant location.



(http://farmingdale.patch.com/articles/56th-fighter-group-restaurant-s-nod-to-li)

[Zee71]

One of my favorite places and great Happy Hour in my younger years.

[fk6065]

What a shame. Wonder what will happen tothe planes in the back.

[moose135]

What a shame. Wonder what will happen to the planes in the back.
They are just fiberglass replicas, not real airframes. I haven't been up close to one in a while, but they look pretty weather-worn, so I don't know that there is much to do with them.

[PhilDernerJr]

I'll take them!

[AirtrafficController]

Sad to hear about this. They always had pretty good steaks and a great dinning environment.

[Zee71]

Well.....I may try to make out there one more time be they close the doors. Maybe we should consider a NYC Aviation get together around that weekend that they are scheduled to close.

[wunaladreamin]

The Sunday morning brunch buffet! :(

[PhilDernerJr]

Well.....I may try to make out there one more time be they close the doors. Maybe we should consider a NYC Aviation get together around that weekend that they are scheduled to close.

Agreed.

[Zee71]

Excellent........it would be nice to give it a NYC Aviation send off. Who knows maybe they might raffle of some planes and other things :biggrin:

Now to pick the date and time. Your call Phil!

[mirrodie]

beat me to it. How bout Aug 5 Sunday AM for brunch? Anyone?


(and yes, their happy hour was pretty sweet back in the hizzay. Even did a New Years Eve there once!)

[PhilDernerJr]

What time exactly is "brunch" at for you folks? What time do they open?

[eric8669]

beat me to it. How bout Aug 5 Sunday AM for brunch? Anyone?


(and yes, their happy hour was pretty sweet back in the hizzay. Even did a New Years Eve there once!)

I would be up for it, but can't do Sunday Morning.

[lijk604]

Working August 4 & 5. Grrrr :mad:

[PhilDernerJr]

Maybe Saturday the 11th at 10am or so?

[mirrodie]

http://www.56thfgrestaurant.com/56thfg/directions.aspx

[PhilDernerJr]

Should we do it on the 12th? The actual last day then for Sunday brunch?

[eric8669]

Maybe Saturday the 11th at 10am or so?

Ill be in cooperstown. Oh well.

[mirrodie]

I could do any Sunday brunch.

How about a Thursday night for dinner if the weekend is tough? Could that work better for most?

[mirrodie]

or a tuesday @ 8pm?

[eric8669]

or a tuesday @ 8pm?


That works for me.

[mirrodie]

Any one else?


Phil, after this run of storms, you'll need a cold beverage!

[Fighting_falcon_51]

I do plan on joining you guys, I just gotta see which days I'm available in August.

Right now Tuesdays look good.

[megatop412]

just waiting to see what day you guys settle on so I can plan to be there

[mirrodie]

So how is this July 31 Tuesday at 8PM sound?

[Art at ISP]

I can do this Tuesday for dinner. Will be away the 5th through 10th. Moving daughter to Arlington on the 5th then Miami rest of week. Mario call me please if it comes together.

I have fond memories of the 56th. When it first opened we used to go every weekend. I'd stay sober because I would usually have an airplane available to take young ladies up for a tour of Manhattan weather permitting. There are also stories of the place I cant tell here...;)

[Zee71]

I can do this Tuesday, July 31st if that is what the group decides.

[megatop412]

that's a long ride for me so I'm waiting to see if this becomes 'official' or if we settle on another date and time

[Art at ISP]

Hoping tomorrow evening is a go. Wife has Yoga and is threatening me with leftovers.

[megatop412]

I had to commit to other plans for tomorrow evening. I'll plan to be there this Saturday night though in case anyone wants to show up

[Fighting_falcon_51]

Unfortunately it does not look like I cannot make it on Tuesday.

[mirrodie]

Who's in for tomorrow?

[eric8669]

I can't now.

[mirrodie]

Art, Tom just left my place ( Monday) and we are both on for tomorrow night.

So no yoga for you. See you then.

[Art at ISP]

i am on for tomorrow as well...what time did we settle on? 8?

[mirrodie]

8 yes. Ill be there at 8

[eric8669]

I'll try to stop by.

[mirrodie]

Definitely do. Im thinking apps or a light dinner and a drink. not a late night.

[mirrodie]

And now its down to Me, Art and maybe Eric tonight. Unless there is another day and or time that is better for most.

[Art at ISP]

Did Tom drop out?

[mirrodie]

Senor Tomas had a work conflict.

[Art at ISP]

Oh well....
So what do you think?

[mirrodie]

Lets try a resched.

[megatop412]

I made a reservation for this Sat night to go with family. If anyone plans to be there around that time let me know so I can stop by and chat

[Zee71]

Let's shoot for Saturday, doesn't look like tonights good.

[eric8669]

Ok. I changed my plans to go tonight, but Saturday works good too.

[eric8669]

So, Is this happening tonight?

[Zee71]

Just got to the 56th for dinner

[eric8669]

Just got to the 56th for dinner

So, there is a dinner?

[megatop412]

I was there from about 7-8:30 or so- will post pictures when I get back to Philly- our waitress said they're actually going to knock the place down

[Zee71]

I was there for dinner with a lady friend around 8:30pm. There was some sort school reunion in the bar area when I was there.

[PhilDernerJr]

I plan on being there this Friday at about 6pm for drinks/food. Would be great to see some of you folks.

[megatop412]

Some pics from last night, handheld the best I could. I shot at ISO 1000 and above inside, I hate the way flash looks even bounced. They said the place is going to be demolished to make way for extra ramp parking. I had the plank salmon and it was delicious.

For those of you who won't get to see the restaurant before she closes:
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_175419.jpg
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_175415.jpg
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_175650.jpg
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_180839.jpg
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_190452.jpg
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_190815.jpg
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191006.jpg
http://media11.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191045.jpg
http://media10.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191059.jpg
http://media10.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191425.jpg
http://media10.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_192145.jpg
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_192246.jpg
http://media9.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191442.jpg
Adios, friends, and thanks for the good eats
http://media10.dropshots.com/photos/396780/20120804/b_191257.jpg

[PhilDernerJr]

Anyone coming Friday? 6pm.

[NIKV69]

Anyone coming Friday? 6pm.

Phil taking himself out of Queens for a night? I may just stop down!

[eric8669]

I think I can make that.

[Gerard]

What are they going to do with all the pictures/memorabilia? And I guess ramp space generates more income that the restaurant!!

[megatop412]

What are they going to do with all the pictures/memorabilia? And I guess ramp space generates more income that the restaurant!!

I was told they're probably going to have an auction for the memorabilia

[eric8669]

So, who's coming tonight?

[lijk604]

So, who's coming tonight?
I'm an 85% yes.

[Matt Molnar]

I will be there.

[NIKV69]

Doubt I can stay for dinner but a drink with Phil Derner is a must.

[PhilDernerJr]

I'm in.

[lijk604]

Unfortunately, it now looks like I can no longer make it. Give the old barn a nice send-off!

[PhilDernerJr]

FYI, I will prob not get a table in the restaurant, but will be back by the bar area.

[moose135]

Enjoy, guys! Have one for me.

[mirrodie]

Enjoy indeed! Im doing the last Sunday AM brunch w/ the fam.

How were the guidos tonight?

[gettysburgerrn]

does anyone know whats going to happen next? Is another restaurant going to open? something else? just wondering...

ken

[megatop412]

does anyone know whats going to happen next? Is another restaurant going to open? something else? just wondering...

ken

The building will be knocked down to make way for additional aircraft parking

[ch2tdriver]

What they should do is build a hangar/ramp and make that the new site of the AAM. It would be the perfect spot. Easy access with the improved service road from 110, plenty of parking, a new large ramp with more room for the public to move about and still have room for warbird flight operations. It would also be a prime viewing area for the fight ops. Right next to the Main Terminal which always houses the Blues, and parallel to 1-19 and still prime viewing of 14-32. A new hangar would also require updated fire protection further securing that priceless collection. It would be a great spot to what they have now which provides no room for expansion. When that PBY is restored where will it go? The ramp is tight now, and the parking is non existant unless you want to call craming cars bumper to bumper on New Highway parking. It's always packed on Memorial Day and Labor Day. There are no sidewalks, cars on the shoulder up to the fence which forces people with stollers no less right on to the roadway. Not to mention the fact that cars never slow down to below 30 if they can help it.

I just think it would be a perfect spot. Maybe even lease out a small cafe on the side that pilot's could fly into for lunch. Offer a discount with museum admission.

[moose135]

A few years back, when the AAM was in the midst of dealing with the FAA runway safety zone issues, one of the proposals floated was a joint venture with the 56th to build a new museum building next to the restaurant, with the restaurant group providing significant funding for the project. Obviously, that is a moot point now. The long-term plan for the museum is to move further south on New Highway, beyond the current SheltAir ramp.

Yes, a modern new facility near the terminal sounds like a great idea, and I'm sure if you find the money for it, the museum will be glad to discuss it with you...

[ch2tdriver]

Has anybody been by lately? I was wondering about what happened to the replicas on outside display? Is the building still there?

[moose135]

I believe the replicas outside were removed. The building is still there, and probably will be for a while. The site is being used as a staging area for FEMA. These were from Friday:

http://www.moose135photography.com/Long-Island/Aftermath-of-the-Storm/i-Q85GKKH/0/L/JM_2012_11_23_FEMA_FRG_001-L.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Long-Island/Aftermath-of-the-Storm/i-bd56cqp/0/L/JM_2012_11_23_FEMA_FRG_002-L.jpg

http://www.moose135photography.com/Long-Island/Aftermath-of-the-Storm/i-Dw4Bncc/0/L/JM_2012_11_23_FEMA_FRG_003-L.jpg

[lijk604]

The aircraft replicas are gone, as are all the US Army "Equipment" that was on the propery as well. With all the FEMA equipment around, there is no place to hang out and watch planes for now by the terminal.

[Gerard]

The aircraft replicas are gone, as are all the US Army "Equipment" that was on the propery as well. With all the FEMA equipment around, there is no place to hang out and watch planes for now by the terminal.

They even have security guards there watching the trucks.

[Billbo1970]

I just happened upon this thread by accident. I can't believe 56FG is gone! It was a little expensive for my budget, but I loved going there on occasion. It'll forever be remembered as the place where I set my hair on fire while on a date :tongue:... I leaned forward to talk to my girl, and looked down at the table for some reason.. the little candle lit my bangs up :eek: LOL.

Anyone know what they did w/the relics, are they for sale anywhere?