Grilling Up Local Love
By Gabrielle Reagan | Photography by Steven J. Pallone
Exemplifying serious entrepreneurial spirit, self-proclaimed snowbirds Erna and Stephen Eno traded two careers and one southern address for a jangling set of restaurant keys. Despite not having any industry experience, these two spontaneous southerners are proving sometimes a little risk can provide quite appetizing results.
In February, the couple opened the doors to Salt City Grille, located at 1333 Buckley Road in Liverpool. The steakhouse features a “modern American” menu, heavily reliant on locally-sourced ingredients. Their goal is to showcase local farms and businesses, while continuing to cater to locals who frequented the space’s previous establishments, including The Sugar Mill, Colorado Mine Steakhouse and, most recently, Flat Iron Grill.
“Every decision we make is in hopes that our guests feel at home and a sense of community through food,” Erna said.
Here in upstate New York, a rich history of farming combined with the abundant resources available influenced both the concept and menu for Salt City Grille. Erna and Stephen hired executive chef Alicia “Lou” Donato to execute their vision.
The Salt City Grille menu features a variety of steak options, including a bone-in ribeye, New York strip and baseball “center cut” sirloin fillet, tightly bound in bacon. Other entrees include veal short rib, lamb, salmon, tuna and roasted, antibiotic-free chicken.
For those who prefer lighter fare, the menu offers a plethora of appetizers, flatbread pizzas and salads, as well as pasta options, many of which are vegetarian-friendly. The Beets & Goat Cheese Salad features goat cheese from local farm and creamery Lively Run Goat Dairy, paired with roasted beets, blood oranges, shaved fennel and watercress. Sensitive to diners with dietary restrictions, the team has noted on the menu which items are gluten-free or vegetarian, as well as which feature local ingredients.
“People are a lot more aware of what they are eating these days,” Erna said. “We feel it’s important to not only help educate our guests, but also let them know there are options.”
The drink menu includes an extensive wine and beer list, as well as spirits. A nod to The Sugar Mill — Liverpool’s go-to place for drinking and dancing circa the mid-1980s — the menu boasts a signature cocktail, the Sugar Mill Sloe Gin Fizz, featuring locally-crafted gin from Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard’s 1911.
Each night of the week presents diners a different treat. Folks are invited to enjoy an extended happy hour on Monday nights, with $2 draft beers and $4 house wines and well cocktails. Tuesdays, Salt City Grille offers $3 tacos and two-for-one margaritas. Wednesdays are trivia nights, with half-priced bottles of wine. Thursdays bring a clambake. On Friday nights, there’s live music on the patio, as well as a prime rib special. And Saturdays bring two-for-one house sangrias, bursting with fruit.
As for the decor, Stephen no doubt learned a thing or two after years spent as a painter and set designer in Hollywood, including work on “The Patriot” and “The Conspirator.” The 8,200-square-foot space feels both rustic and upscale, featuring multiple dining areas, a roomy full-service bar, a cozy fireplace and an outdoor patio. The walls are adorned with work by local photographer Stu Gallagher. In every detail, Salt City Grille aims to be the neighborhood space, so much so that one almost expects to seeTed Danson pop out from behind the bar.
“We are Liverpool’s neighborhood bar and restaurant,” Erna said. “We want people to feel like they can come here every day.” SWM
Salt City Grille is located at 1333 Buckley Road in Liverpool. The restaurant is open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed on Sundays. For menus and reservations, call (315) 299-6371 or visit saltcitygrille.com.
