Loyal customers to the Normanside Country Club in Delmar may soon feel like they’ve stepped into the wrong establishment, but have no fear. The country club’s Director of Operations David Hostig said it’s all part of the new management plan.
Normanside is getting a facelift that includes building renovations and golf course upgrades. In April, a new kitchen and waiting staff were introduced when the Hostig family and local golf course operator Rafael Flores took over ownership the local country club.
“We want to provide an enjoyable experience for our guests and we want the restaurant to succeed,” Hostig said.
Both the golf course and the restaurant, Grille One Six Five, have since been opened to the public. Membership fees have also been lowered in the hopes of providing a more affordable option for the area’s residents.
“We’re seeing a lot of people looking into memberships that didn’t have the country club membership before, or may not have been affiliated with the club,” said Hostig. “They are not just old members who were members at Normanside before.”
In addition, the dining environment is a bit more relaxed than in years past.
“We’re more casual now,” said Hostig. “For instance, our customers can now wear jeans, where that wasn’t allowed before. The experience was more formal than we liked.”
Renovations to the lobby and ballroom in the clubhouse are expected to be completed by Valentine’s Day and Grille One Six Five’s menu has been completely revamped under Hostig’s charge.
In January and February, a prix fixe menu will be highlighted for both lunch and dinner.
The lunch option includes the choice of any midday menu item with a dessert and non-alcoholic drink for $9.95. Dinner includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert and alcoholic drink for $24.95 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
“There are not many casual dining restaurant options in the area,” said Hostig. “We’re local, so residents won’t have to travel far. We’re practically in their backyard.”
The country club will continue to hold brunches, but will change from once a week to once a month in order to provide a lager buffet and live entertainment.
New to Normanside, cooking demonstrations with a four-course meal and wine pairing will be held with the restaurant’s chef and are open to club members and the public for a fee. In addition, murder mystery dinners have already begun at Grille One Six Five and another one is scheduled for Jan. 28.
Hostig said the staff have also worked to spruce up the golf course. Improvements have been made to the course’s layout, tree work was done, and upkeep was done around the greens.
In thanks for the continued support from the community, Normanside’s management staff enjoys giving back locally. Already, the club’s owners donated sauce for a pizza sale held by fifth graders at Elsmere Elementary School and participated in Albany’s Wine and Dine for the Arts.
Hostig said he wants to make the restaurant and club’s presence known within the community.
“We care tremendously about our customers, and value their input,” he said. “We also like to work with local businesses and create valuable working relationships.”
