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Rainwater, which served American cuisine and featured sidewalk dining and a bar, attracted a clientele of villagers and visitors to the community. The restaurant was sold to another restaurateur and a new establishment is expected to open this year.
"It;s very sad. RWG was a great place to eat, drink,and meet up with friends," patron Stephen Quaranta said. "Unfortunately, another result of this poor economy paired with high Westchester taxes, rent, and government regulations."
The Rainwater Grill replaced the Blue Moon Mexican food restaurant in 2010. The restaurant's exterior was featured last year in a television commercial for Volkswagen automobiles that is currently seen on air.
Rainwater follows the closing earlier this summer of Buffet De La Gare, a Hastings favorite on Maple Street for 33 years. Buffet owner Annie Goulet, whose husband, the chef Gwenaël Goulet, died in 2011, retired with the name. A new eatery called St. Georges will open in September.
Rainwater Grill's owners could not be reached for comment on the closing. Daily Voice readers commented on Facebook "What a surprise. I think that venue is cursed," Adam Waters said. "The VW commercial (filmed at Rainwater Grill) will never be the same."
"I miss Manzi's," Paul Robibero said of the Italian restaurant that preceded the last three restaurants at 19 Main St. "Buffet De La Gare (Hastings bistro) closes and now Rainwater......its a tough economy."
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