From a more than 100-year-old historic house to a modern 21st century hotel and restaurant, the new Preston House and Hotel on East Main Street in downtown Riverhead is just about ready to open its doors.
The house on the property, the former home of civil war soldier Henry H. Preston, has been renovated into a two-story, 88-seat restaurant. It’s connected to a newly constructed five-story, 20-room hotel to the rear.
Each floor of the hotel has two one-bedroom suites and two studio rooms. The fifth floor has a larger hospitality suite, with a view overlooking the Hyatt Place East End and Long Island Aquarium across the street.
“We’re very excited to bring a whole new atmosphere and vibe to downtown Riverhead,” said owner Jennifer Petrocelli at a “sneak peek” of the new space. J. Petrocelli Development Associates, which also owns the aquarium and hotel across the street, developed the space.
Tile floors imported from Italy, along with painted murals and other modern artwork, can be found throughout the hotel. There are also elements of the old house that were restored and used, like the stone walls and cement floor in the 800-bottle wine cellar and an old sliding door in the restaurant.
The eatery will open on Valentine’s Day, with a prix fix menu for $65 per person and $90 with a wine pairing. There is no exact “grand opening” scheduled, but Petrocelli said they will be fully functioning by the end of the month.
Petrocelli described the menu as new American, serving steak, seafood and more.
The restaurant will be open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 5 to 10 p.m. on weekends, with happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.
“I think it’s a great addition to downtown Riverhead and seeing how the Hyatt has done well over the past few years there’s definitely a need for this in the area,” said Steve Shauger, who will oversee the hotel. Shauger also runs the Hyatt Place and is the president of the Riverhead Business Improvement District.
“It’s something different,” he said of the new hotel. “You don’t even feel like you’re in Riverhead. I welcome people to come in and check it out.”
