NEW BRITAIN, Conn., March 30, 2009 - A brand new restaurant and banquet facility is scheduled to open at The Stanley Golf Course here on April 9. The Whinstone Tavern is the brainchild of Daniel Licitra, general manager of Jordan, Connecticut’s foremost catering, event planning and design company.

After a lengthy bidding process, Jordan was selected by New Britain’s Parks and Recreation Department as the new food and beverage proprietor of the city’s only public golf course. The course, located at 245 Hartford Rd., is a beautiful 27 hole public golf course including a teaching academy and a 19 station driving range. New Britain is approximately 10 miles south of Hartford.

“It is an exciting time for us as we expand our business beyond event planning and catering to include a full-service restaurant and banquet hall,” said Licitra. “When I first approached Bill DeMaio of New Britain’s Parks and Recreation Department at one of our events last year, I had no idea we’d be selected as proprietor of a full-service tavern on a major golf course here in Connecticut.”

“Whinstone Tavern will bring a high level of food quality and superior service at affordable prices that will make Stanley an even more attractive destination for social events, tournaments and family outings,” said DeMaio. “We were looking for a well-capitalized, professional food and beverage contractor for the course and Jordan fit the bill. Visitors are going to be amazed at what they see and experience at Whinstone Tavern.”

Extensive renovations and interior design work was conducted over the last three months in preparation for the official opening of the tavern. Goldman Design Group of Greenwich enhanced the existing rustic interior with new colors that play off the stone and character of the building. The bar area is now warm and inviting with a decorative new bar and sitting areas. The tavern also has deck, porch and terrace areas that can accommodate up to 150 people.

“I’ve seen Jordan’s team in action at a number of events around the county and they have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism,” said New Britain Mayor Tim Stewart. “They have an impeccable reputation in the marketplace and they produce a great product. Extensive renovations to the restaurant and banquet hall, the modernized kitchen and new furnishings look fabulous,” added Stewart. “The Whinstone Tavern concept is going to work extremely well at Stanley Golf Course,” he added.

Whinstone (WIN’-stone) Tavern is named after the hard, dark-colored rocks, especially basalt and chert, that make up the façade of the clubhouse. For groups of 20 to 150, the spacious, full-service banquet facility is an ideal venue for corporate golf outings, business meetings, holiday gatherings and any other special event. Weddings, showers, birthdays and bar mitzvahs are already being scheduled there, according to Licitra.

Whinstone Tavern will be a full-service, year-round restaurant. “Our goal is to offer residents of New Britain and surrounding towns an excellent dining experience at a reasonable cost,” said Licitra, adding, “Patrons can choose from an array of favorite appetizers, sandwiches and beverages, served in a relaxed atmosphere with transcending views of the golf course.”

The new menu, designed by Jordan Executive Chef Joseph Jenkins and Executive Sous Chef Rich Coletti, offers something for everyone. It includes Jordan’s own Connecticut Clam Chowder, fresh salad presentations, dinner entrees and house made desserts. One of Chef Jenkins favorite entrees is the Whin “Stoned” Chicken, an herb and lemon rubbed half chicken with crackling golden brown skin cooked on a grill under a stone.

The tavern will serve patrons lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday beginning at 11:30 a.m. The homemade food will offer lots of value for the money and be available for takeout or waiter service. Whinstone Tavern will employ 25-30 people. For additional information on Whinstone Tavern, please stop by or call 860-827-0022 and ask for Kristy Jennings, or visit the Web site, www.WhinstoneTavern.com.

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