Local brothers Tony and Michael Panza opened on May 2 their restaurant at the new location at 129 South Broadway in Saratoga Springs.
They’ teamed up with capital region builder Chris Marchand to restore the former Trade Winds restaurant to house Panza’s Broadway Saratoga.
“Our approach is to provide people with options for enjoying this truly unique building and atmosphere,” said chef/owner, Tony Panza. “You can come enjoy full dinner in our unique, glass-enclosed dining room; have a drink and lite bite in the intimate Grotto Bar or stop by with friends to enjoy your favorite regional musical acts with a beverage in our Upper Level Lounge. We will provide the great food, service and beverages. More than anything, we want people to feel comfortable, like at home.”
Entertainment is also a focus of the new place, building on decades of successful experience from Panza’s restaurant on Saratoga Lake. Initially music will be scheduled for Friday and Saturday evenings, but will expand to seven-days-a-week when racing season begins in July.
A cross section of music from classic piano, to jazz, cabaret and R&B will be featured, with acts like Georgia Jones (of the NY Players); Azzaam Hameed and Annette Harris, Colleen Pratt, Peg Delaney, Roosevelt Baker, Jeanine Ouderkirk, J Yager, Christine Spero and many others.
The Trade Winds was originally built in the 1960s by a local stone mason named Caparonis. After a two-decade run, the Trade Winds closed in the 1980s. Since then,it became Villa Balsamo, then Café Paradiso. It has been vacant since.
The Panza brothers updated the building with new furniture and decor, transforming the space into something rustic Mediterranean in feel, with a multi-level architectural interior layout.
“A lot of thought went into the original 3000-square-foot kitchen design when it was built, making it very easy to update,” said Tony Panza. “This kitchen was designed to make great food, and it did so for decades. So, while we are updating appliances and other new kitchen gadgetry that’s evolved over the past 30 years, the bones of this kitchen remain the same as when it was built in the 1960s. It is a great kitchen and will only enhance our ability to deliver quality and consistency.”
Wi-Fi, lighting, audio, security and electrical systems have all been updated. New ADA-compliant bathrooms were created. There is a 70-space parking lot adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn next door.
“We like to joke that parking is actually our greatest asset for this place,” said Michael Panza. “Where else can you go to dinner on Broadway in Saratoga Springs and know you’ll find parking for your vehicle?”
“This building, its history and its location on Broadway in Saratoga is what really captivated us,” said Michael. “People tell us they remember how it used to be and are excited this place will be alive again. We are excited as well and can’t wait to share this with everyone who loves Saratoga and great hospitality.”
