The Sault’s Eric McLean is burning with anticipation over his soon-to-reopen Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen.
After purchasing landmark eatery Gino’s Family Restaurant on Great Northern Road from Rick and Gino Coccimiglio last year, McLean - along with co-owners Craig and Damon Burgess - renamed the restaurant and is overseeing major renovations and an addition to the site, clearly visible as you drive by.
“When we’re all done this’ll be a million-dollar renovation,” McLean told SooToday.
“We’re building a restaurant with an upbeat fun atmosphere that’s going to feature wood-fired pizza.”
Wood-fired pizza - cooked in a brick oven - cooks pizza at a higher temperature and in a shorter time than regular pizza.
“It’s pizza but it’s totally different. With the wood-fired cooking process it tastes new and fresh. It’ll be a two to three-minute cook time, a lot faster, with thin crust and regular crust options. There’ll be gluten free and vegan options,” McLean said.
McLean has brought Chuck Gassi - a well-known figure on the Sault restaurant scene for many years - onboard as Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen general manager.
“We’re really focusing on bringing lots of great toppings to the table, like prosciutto, capicola, homemade sausage, arugula, banana pepper, cracked egg, Tuscan herbed potatoes - the cheese list goes on and on as well as the sauces. The flavour combinations are going to be limitless,” McLean said.
“We’re going to specialize in the 11-inch personal size pizza. We really want to encourage guests to make their own adventure, pick their own flavours and have their own experience.”
“We’re also going to be making all the pasta fresh in-house so Chuck will bring a lot of great skill and recipes.”
McLean likes the location of the restaurant on Great Northern Road.
“We’re one of the first restaurants on your way into town. Heading out of town, it’s on the way to the golf course, the ski hill, fishing and camping.”
McLean is pumped about the restaurant’s new patio currently under construction on the building’s west side and facing the highway.
The ‘indoor patio’ will be completely covered and enclosed, diners able to look out the windows as they enjoy a meal and beverages.
“We’re building what I’m hoping will be one of the coolest patios in town,” McLean said.
“It has an overhead roof in Douglas fir timber. We want to do some special events in the winter with the covered patio. Once we get the glass windows up we’re not going to get the snow whipping across. We really want to extend the life of the patio season. We’ll have heaters in there so you'll be able to dine outside later into the season, but what it really does for you is allow you to enjoy outdoor dining in the entire summer, whether it’s rain or shine. ”
“It’s going to be a significantly-sized patio. We’ve bought some really nice furniture for it. We’re building a full service bar on the patio so you’ll be able to get cocktails and drinks, the bartender will be there making drinks for you. We want to extend the atmosphere from the inside of the restaurant to the outside. We really want it to be an extension of the restaurant instead of an afterthought.”
The decor will include wood, metal, bricks and murals.
“It’s going to be a fun theme with a rustic decor.”
McLean said the buzz in the community has grown as people see the restaurant’s new signage and patio construction.
The new owners are considering bringing live music to the patio some evenings of the week.
“We want to cater to everybody, to all ages. We’re going to have a great kids meal program, a cocktail bar program. We really want to focus on fun.”
McLean said Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen will employ between 50 to 60 people.
Takeout and delivery will be available.
Frozen pasta and pizza will also be available for sale.
“That way, you’ll be able to enjoy that wood-fired flavour at home,” McLean said.
Renovations to the building began last summer, the restaurant closing for more intense renovations and the addition of the patio after Christmas.
Whereas the waterfall was a familiar sight at the old Gino’s Family Restaurant, McLean said “I think the biggest thing is that when you walk through the doors you’re going to see the wood-fired pizza oven in front of you. That’s where your eyes are going to go, seeing people making amazing pizza right in front of you with the wood-fired technique.”
McLean said Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen will carry on with the former Gino’s Family Restaurant breakfast menu along with pasta and meatballs made on site, burgers, chicken wings, sandwiches, ribs, chicken, veal and panzerotti with wood-fired pizza as the main attraction.
McLean said he appreciates the restaurant’s team and the local skilled tradespeople involved with the restaurant’s renovations and patio addition.
McLean said a ‘Friends and Family’ event will be held for them before the restaurant officially reopens to the public, as well as a special gathering for a yet-to-be-determined local charity.
McLean also operates a Qdoba Mexican Eats location on Great Northern Road but is clearly excited to be co-owner of a locally owned restaurant in the form of Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen.
“It’s a great experience to be part of the community, to work with local people to build something local people will like.”
McLean hopes to open Gino’s Fired Up Kitchen in mid-to-late February.
“It’s happening really quickly,” he said.
“The menu’s got it all. Our intention is to open, have our core products and keep bringing creative things to the menu.”