Christel and Colin MacLean, owners of Circus Café, have announced the grand opening of The Crown Grill will be Wednesday, May 1. This is also Circus Café’s ninth anniversary. In honor of this double-header, Circus Café and The Crown Grill will each donate 50 percent of their proceeds from that day to Double H Ranch and SaratogaArtsFest. 

The fun will begin at 5 p.m. at both restaurants with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails/drink specials and music by D.J. Trumaster. The Crown Grill will feature bite-size hors d’oeuvres representing tastes of the menu; Circus Café will be open for regular lunch and dinner service featuring its new spring menus. The celebration will continue all weekend from 4 p.m. at The Crown Grill Bar with craft cocktails complimented by small-plate tasting menus. On Saturday, May 4, the bar will open at 2 p.m. with Kentucky Derby drink specials. Full lunch and dinner service will begin on Monday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m.

Some items on the menu at The Crown Grill are a selection of appetizers including brie, caramelized peach and grilled red onion on mini crostini; and mozzarella fritti featuring fresh mozzarella and prosciutto pinwheels with homemade fig chutney. Entrees include gnocchi al pomodoro, ancho chili citrus rubbed skirt steak, delmonico steak, wild Scottish salmon, Thai curry scallops and a locally sourced roasted vegetable plate. Dessert selections include a classic crème brulee and a handmade chocolate flourless cake with Hawaiian sea salt. The bar will have a custom cocktail list with signature drinks including The Crown Manhattan and Crown Grill negroni. All the cocktails will feature unique aspects, ranging from the spirits used to the style of the cocktail, the glassware and even the ice itself. In addition, there will be an extensive whiskey list from around the world. A combination of craft, domestic and imported beers will also be offered. The wine list will have an array of wines by the glass and by the bottle with a wide range of prices offering something for everyone.

The Crown Grill has been in the making since March 2013 when the MacLeans sold their shares of Sperry’s, bought the majority shares of Circus Café and then bought the former Russo’s space. 

“The Crown Grill will be upscale-casual, and will offer guests a separate and distinct dining experience from Circus Café,” said Colin MacLean. “The Crown Grill will have more of a Polo Ralph Lauren feel with rich fabrics from London, gorgeous chandeliers, decorative wall coverings, leather booths/banquettes and ambient lighting.”

A specially commissioned mural will be created in the bar space; a custom installation in the back room will celebrate Saratoga 150. While there is a pocket door connecting the two dining rooms, it will be open primarily for big events, and large corporate and private parties. The Crown Grill is now accepting reservations and requests for catering events and private parties. 

The Crown Grill is located at 390 Broadway. For reservations, call 583-1105. Circus Café is located at 392 Broadway. For reservations there, call 583-1106. Web site addresses are: www.crowngrillsaratoga.com and www.circuscafe.com. 

--Jennie