Dave’s Corner…
A fond farewell and Thank You from Dave
As I sit here in Negril, Jamaica, at Tensing Pen, I reflect on the past 27 from a place that was part of the beginning . It was here I came on my honeymoon with my co-starter of Sarah Street, Lisa, and now sit thinking about the end of my direct involvement of the same. I knew I had to write one more Sarah Street News Letter – and well, here we go!
This letter stopped being monthly when Covid hit us. No more music to promote with the (now reopening) stage being shut down, no need for people to hear/read my political opinions with Facebook available for me to share them – not to mention it was a questionable business decision to be political on a business platform – so it hasn’t been around for the past two years, other then a tribute to Johnny Rydell and a update on the stage status last summer. In this beautiful tropical place, so much rushes through my head. So many people who worked with and for me, and so many that filled SSG’s seats deserve mention. Maybe someday I will write a book, but in this letter I will try and cover those that have to be included in the short version.
The first is easy, Head Chef Rob. Rob has been with me since nearly the beginning. February of 1996 to be exact. We were reopening after a serious fire shut us down after only six months of existence, and a very young Rob was hired as our new kitchen leader. With having to deal with my very controlling and soon ex-partner/wife, and politically opposite me, it was a miracle he made it a week, let alone close to three decades! If I did this in a book form, a full chapter would be about his and my relationship, both as friends and workmates. The next on my “list” has to be CJ, Sarah Street’s Sou Chef almost as long as Rob has been the kitchen Captain. He and I met in 1986 working at Albinos Italian Restaurant in East Stroudsburg, my first job in the service world. He and his wife Jessica are with me here now in Jamaica to celebrate his partial retirement – CJ isn’t ready to fully retire and leave SSG, which is great news for all of us that love his soups and sauces! He too, and really everybody I mention and quite a few I don’t, qualify for full chapters in the book version of this – although maybe some of things that have happened couldn’t and shouldn’t go down in print ! I do have to include that I actually wanted CJ to be my Head Chef when I opened the first time, but he declined and then joined us as the number two a year later, and I have been grateful for that ever since. Next is Christy. Some see her as a mini-me. She joined the team just after turning 21, and quickly became key to the machine. She will be the new owner and operator of The Grill as I release that title. Like me, her direct delivery and sarcasm sometimes get her in trouble – but also like me, she really cares about her co-workers and all who enter the building. I trust her to continue to keep things similar to what they have been, as well as add to them. Knowing that Sarah Street has a great chance to stay a big part of our town with her in charge has helped me be able to step aside. Dan, Christy’s husband has also become a huge part of Sarah Street. He will be, and is, a big part of why this restaurant continues to thrive. The other longest SSG veteran is Marty. He too worked with me at places pre SSG, and has been on the team for nearly a quarter century. They are the long term and still there group – but thousands of others were and are key to the story. Maybe I really do have to write a book! Brandi M, Janine K, Amy H, Sushi Joe, Briana W, and many others would get that full chapter in Life of the Grill, and that is both a compliment and a warning!
I would be at fault not to give a BIG thank you and credit to my family: my parents, Bill and Lori, who are also here in Jamaica celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary; my grandparents Helen and Rocco, Victor and Roselle, and ex-in laws Dario and Barbara. All mentioned helped me be able to be open the doors of Sarah Street with start up loans, and their confidence in me gave me strength to keep those doors open. Also a special thanks to Robbie Rosenblum, my attorney and first and strongest SSG regular. He helped make happen what many times seemed near impossible to succeed. Ralph Matergia took Robbie’s place, and continued the same. I really owe then both. All but Ralph and my parents are no longer with us, but as long as The Sarah Street Grill lives, a big part of them does as well.
The customers are, and have been, a big part of the story too. They have been a sort of fraternity. Some have moved on from this world, some moved to other areas, some to their couches, and some to other bars and restaurants – but they are all still part of the Grill Family and history. I have seen and held new born babies, and then seen the same waiting tables where their parents met. Read that last sentence again. I just did, and it blows my mind, especially since a dozen or so pop right up in my memories – maybe because half of them are working there now!
I get a lot of credits and compliments about Sarah Street, but the truth is I have been as much lucky as I am skilled at this craft. Without the people who have worked at Sarah St, those that made it a second home, those that took the stage, those that shared my vision and and trusted me in the beginning to join the team before there was a history, there would have been no Sarah Street. Many people not born, many songs not written and bands not formed, and many stories never told. I know everything has a ripple effect, but not many as much as 550 Quaker Alley.
I will continue to be involved as much as I am requested to – not on the floor or office, but in council. My last night will be this NYE, and I will be working the videos as we dance and celebrate a long past and exciting future. Many not in physical attendance will be there in spirit and thought, and hopefully I will see and enjoy my last night with many in person.