Wellington Equestrian Partners and Tavern on the Green Bring Fine Dining and First Venture Outside New York to Wellington, FL
Wellington, FL – June 9, 2006 – Wellington Equestrian Partners (Mark Bellissimo, Dennis Dammerman, Roger Smith, Eugene R. Mische, and The Burton Family) are pleased to announce that they will be partnering with the famous Tavern On The Green (LeRoy Adventures) to bring the famous New York City restaurant to Wellington, FL.
The newly formed group is called Wellington Tavern Partners, LLC (WTP). The long-term goal is to have this Tavern on the Green partnership as the anchor restaurant in the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center’s proposed multi-use commercial development. For the short-term, the group plans to introduce the “Tavern On The Green Café”, which is slated to open as a small-scale restaurant and catering operation in November of 2006.
Mark Bellissimo commented, “We believe that the WTP partnership will deliver a high-quality location, exceptional dining, and distinctive ambiance to Wellington. We are excited to be involved with such a positive and creative group. The fact that Tavern On The Green chose Wellington to locate is a great credit to the community. I personally look forward to working with Jenny and her team.”
The Wellington Tavern Partners, LLC will bring Contemporary American Classic dining to the area. “The restaurant will reflect Tavern On The Green’s menu and will offer some of its signature dishes,” explained Jennifer Oz LeRoy, Equestrian and CEO of LeRoy Adventures. “I am very excited to be in a location where Tavern On The Green can serve the needs of an ever-increasing equestrian community, which includes my friends. Mark and I are passionate about this project, and we share a common vision and spirit.”
Michael Desiderio, Chief Operating Officer of LeRoy Adventures, hopes to bring the unique charm of the New York restaurants to Wellington. “This is our first venture outside of the New York market,” Desiderio noted. “Our capabilities do not stop at the restaurant doors.”
“Tavern On The Green Café will also offer catering. Jenny LeRoy loves to take a blank canvas (empty room) and create a fantasy occasion from it,” Desiderio said. “We have been waiting patiently for the right location. We think that this is a fabulous spot, and we hope to incorporate some interesting decor that has the feel of The Tavern On The Green,” he remarked.
Charitable organizations and equestrian social events have already expressed interested in the new venture.
Jeffrey Higginbottom, Senior Designer for LeRoy Adventures said, “We have items like a beautiful Baccarat chandelier and a spectacular Jardinière Vase made by Royal Dalton, considered to be the largest Jardinière made in the 19th Century, which we will use to bring our character to this restaurant.”
WEP partner Dennis Dammerman, a long-time resident of Manhattan and Wellington, stated, “I can see Tavern on the Green from my New York City apartment. It will be nice to have a little piece of Manhattan in Wellington.”
