3 popular Oakmont restaurants have new owner; The Chelsea Grille to go Mexican (2024)

The end of 2021 also became an end of an era as three beloved Oakmont restaurants have been sold.

Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, The Chelsea Grille and Oakmont Tavern were purchased by Oakmont resident and entrepreneur John Keefe.

Keefe owns three other eateries in Oakmont — The Lot at Edgewater, Pub at 333 and Carnivores.

He pledges to keep Hoffstot’s the same, while The Chelsea Grille will be remodeled into a Mexican restaurant. The Oakmont Tavern will also undergo a renovation and rebranding.

Chelsea’s last day was Dec. 31.

Both were founded by the late Danny Monaco, a legendary entrepreneur. Monaco and his brother, Tom, started the business in 1971, taking over the Oakmont restaurant Hoffstot’s and featuring their grandmother’s Italian recipes.

They later opened Cafe Monaco, a smaller restaurant with a different menu, next door. In 1990, the brothers renovated the spaces, creating Hoffstot’s Cafe Monaco, which continues offering Italian specialties, as well as a bar and catering menu.

Danny Monaco bought what would become The Cheslea Grille in 1992 from John & Lillian Vescio. The building, just a few doors down from Hoffstot’s, had been a hotel/restaurant with several owners for many years.

Monaco died of covid complications Jan. 17. He was 75.

“Change was inevitable after Dan Monaco passed away,” said Hoffstot’s floor manager Jennie Wilson, a former bartender and manager at Chelsea. “I think it’s sad. The restaurant was there for 29 to 30 years, and a lot of people loved it. A lot of staff had worked there for many years.

“It’s a traditional Monaco family management restaurant.”

That meant meticulous attention to detail and customer service, according to the new owner.

No one from the Monaco family could be located Friday afternoon.

New owner touts tradition

Keefe said he has the utmost respect for the Monaco family and that both restaurants were going strong even during the pandemic.

Their acquisition began months ago with the sales closing Dec. 27 and 28.

“They’re two great places with great tradition,” Keefe said. “Hoffstot’s is going to remain Hoffstot’s. … I got really lucky to have so many professional employees. These people have been here for years. They really know how to run it, and they’re good at it, especially (Hoffstot’s Executive Chef) Brian Leri.

“These places have been strong. Oakmont is a great town. These places remain busy all the time.

“The biggest problem is finding enough employees.”

Most of Chelsea Grille’s staffers will go to Hoffstot’s as its hours of operation increased.

Employees also have opportunities at Keefe’s other restaurants during the renovation.

It is unclear when the new restaurant would open or what it will be called.

“It takes so long to get stuff in now because of covid,” Keefe said. “The stuff we’re ordering, (such as) flooring, chairs, tables, refrigeration, kitchen equipment, takes more time to get in. It’s going to be remodeled extensively.

“We want to give them another option of food that really isn’t in this town, which is going to be the Mexican route. We’re really looking forward to building it. I’m looking forward to the challenge of building this new place and the challenge of carrying on the tradition of Hoffstot’s.”

More employee perspective

Wilson’s husband, Donnie, was a sous chef at Chelsea Grille for about 23 years. One of the signature dishes was Chicken Chelsea — chicken breast dipped in a batter, sauteed and topped with jumbo lump crab meat and shrimp.

Chelsea was led by Executive Chef John Fraser from opening day until several months ago when he left to pursue other work; Max Maloney of Penn Hills took over the reins.

Maloney worked at Hoffstot’s for a little more than two years before transitioning over to Chelsea and studying under Fraser.

“If you had a question, he had an answer,” Maloney said. “So knowledgeable. He had his own style of food and wasn’t afraid to take charge. I’m happy for the time I’ve had here and everything I’ve learned. I feel like I’ve only been here for a short span, a blink in the existence of Chelsea Grille. I’m just honored.

“I’ve learned with Danny (Monaco). I’ve learned with the chefs here, the culinary team. The drive they show is incredible. The team I have around me today, on the very last day and everything, help ease the burden. Together, we made something special even for a brief glimpse of what it could be, and here’s to moving forward.”

Maloney was assisted Dec. 31 by chef Reynold Fernandes, who worked at Chelsea off and on for more than three years.

“I’ve made good friends,” Fernandes said. “The people I’ve learned from, everybody’s got a different experience. I learn through it. A little sad for the restaurant, but something new is coming, so I’m happy about that.”

Fernandes said he will be involved in the new restaurant “here and there” as he works on his own catering business in Arnold.

Patrons’ perspective

Oakmont resident Bill Keller lives about a block away from Chelsea Grille. He has been coming to eat and drink for years and was one of the early customers on New Year’s Eve.

“I hope we don’t lose some of the intimacy of the place,” Keller said. “It’s a cozy place to be. It seems everybody who does come here is very comfortable. Obviously, the bartenders are one of the main reasons we come.”

Angela and Mike Gallagher of Pittsburgh’s Morningside neighborhood have celebrated New Year’s Eve at Chelsea for at least 18 years. It’s become a tradition for them and their son, Mikey. The family also had confirmations and other parties at the restaurant.

“We come here to support Danny and his family,” Angela Gallaher said. “It’s sad to see it’s going away.”

Mike Gallagher said they always had great food and service at the Grille.

They were served on its final night by Shannon Scott of Penn Hills. She’s the most tenured active server at the place with more than 11 years helping customers.

“It’s been an adventure,” Scott said. “Chelsea and Hoffstot’s is like a big family. It’s the first job I’ve ever loved and is a great place to work.”

Scott said Monaco’s passing was a huge loss for everyone, and she is grateful to continue working with her friends in the new year.

“It’s not the same as it was pre-covid,” she said. “It’s an end of an era, but we’re looking forward and we’ve got a new owner. A great guy who’s been honest with us and I think will turn things around, looking forward to a new chapter.”

Oakmont Tavern

The Oakmont Tavern, which sits on Allegheny River Boulevard between Virginia Avenue and Porte Street, is heading toward a total brand revamp and a facelift.

There are a multitude of changes planned for the Tavern, which has been in its current incarnation since 1995, starting with the name, which will be updated and has yet to be released publicly. Though the purchase went through right before the new year, the total branding overhaul is not taking place until the end of February or the beginning of March . The location plans to remain open while implementing any updates.

Another change in the works is an updated menu. The overall food theme is expected to change with a significant refresh, though Keefe said he is keeping the new menu under wraps for now.

Another change taking place is that Keefe plans on making the location larger. He also purchased the building next door to the tavern and currently has plans to knock out the back wall and expand the seating area.

The expansion downstairs will also give the location more room for bands. The Tavern has long also been one of Oakmont’s premier in-town spots for nightlife, and that is expected to stay the same under Keefe’s ownership, with Friday and Saturday nights typically offering entertainment options.

That means that the location’s signature open-air rooftop area featuring weekend DJs will remain the same. During nice weather, table seating is an option for patrons who wish to dine or drink outside, but it also features a heated bar area and dance floor for the weekend nights.

The staff will be a mix of old favorites – for those customers used to seeing their favorite bartender dishing out happy hour pints – along with some new faces that patrons may recognize from several of Keefe’s other restaurants in town.

New manager Marisa Mori, who has experience working alongside Keefe at Carnivores, is enthusiastic to be a part of the revamp of one of Oakmont’s community favorites.

“I’m very thrilled to be here, and I can’t wait to see all the changes come together and see what exactly John has in mind for the updates,” Mori said. “No one knows for certain about the name and menu changes. John’s been guarding it as a well-kept secret. We all know that it will be great just like his other locations.”