Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

December 11, 2023

Chef Tyler Anderson pulls plug on Terreno Restaurant, Bar Pina in downtown Hartford’s Goodwin Hotel; Max Hospitality to take over spaces

HBJ PHOTO | STEVE LASCHEVER Tyler Anderson, standing inside his Millwright’s Restaurant in Simsbury.
By Michael Puffer

Celebrated chef Tyler Anderson’s restaurant group will pull out of the upscale Terreno Restaurant and Bar Pina in downtown Hartford’s iconic Goodwin Hotel building at the turn of the year, but a “preeminent” hospitality operator is prepared to fill those spaces, hotel owner Randy Salvatore confirmed Monday.

Max Hospitality Group will take over the commercial kitchen and bar, providing a menu for Goodwin guests, as well as catering for the hotel’s events spaces, Salvatore said.

The Terreno space will be idled and used only for special events for some time, Salvatore said. The Terreno space will eventually be renovated into a new restaurant concept as part of an overhaul of the 124-room hotel expected to begin in 10 to 12 months, Salvatore said.

HBJ PHOTO | Keith Griffin
The Goodwin Hotel in downtown Hartford.

The renovations will bring new furnishings, fixtures and flooring to guest rooms and common areas, with an aim to accentuate the 1881-vintage, brick building’s classic features while providing the most modern amenities, Salvatore said.

“It was kind of a win-win in that Tyler wanted to spend some time focusing on some of these other things and Max thought this was a great opportunity for expansion,” Salvatore said. “We are really excited about what this is going to do for the Goodwin.”

As of Jan. 1, Max will operate the Bar Pina space and provide food service for hotel guests and events, Salvatore said.

The restaurant group already operates the upscale Max Downtown restaurant directly across Haynes Street from the bar.

It also operates Trumbull Kitchen in downtown Hartford.

Another COVID casualty

Anderson, reached Monday, said he is closing his 6-year-old operations at the Goodwin to focus on other restaurant ventures, including Millwright’s Restaurant in Simsbury; the Ore Hill and Swyft restaurants in Kent; and another venture in New York City.

The Hartford operations took a big hit with the COVID-19 pandemic, and a continuing slump in corporate events upset the financial balance, Anderson said. Accordingly, a decision was made not to renew the lease, he said. Terreno and Bar Pina will continue to operate through Dec. 31.

Anderson said he is confident the Max Group, with its deep knowledge of Hartford and strong presence, will be a good fit for the Goodwin spaces.

“We’ve enjoyed our time in Hartford, and we thank the guests for supporting us through the crazy COVID times, and we will miss the Goodwin Hotel,” Anderson said.

Max Vice President Steven Abrams said the Bar Pina space will be remodeled and become Bar Max in February or March, featuring Max’s take on creative cocktails and “light bites” food. H

Abrams confirmed his group will operate the Terreno space for special functions, then develop a new restaurant concept to open following a renovation of the Goodwin Hotel. 

“The space is wonderful, and we look forward to taking over at the beginning of the year,” Abrams said. 
 

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF