Cicero, N.Y. – Two of the partners behind the popular Inka’s and Margarita Mexican Cantina’s restaurants in Syracuse plan to open a restaurant in the renovated clubhouse at Lakeshore Yacht & Country Club.
Restaurateur Jose Avalos-Rios is partnering with Alejandro Gonzalez in the new, yet-to-be-named restaurant. They are two of the four partners behind Inka’s and Margarita’s.
The clubhouse restaurant marks an early first step in redeveloping the country club and golf course into an upscale community on the shores of Oneida Lake, according to developer Guy Hart.
Hart, who is also planning to transform Great Northern Mall into a housing, retail and medical complex, aims to build as many as 1,400 homes, including a $1 million condo, to transform the golf course into Lakeshore Village.
Hart says those plans are still in the works. He told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard he’s planning to present a site plan of the Lakeshore project to the town of Cicero in January.
He also said he is close to signing a contract with Hyatt to operate the hotel at Lakeshore. In a separate move, he said, he’s closed to signing a deal with Marriott for a hotel at Great Northern Mall.
For now, the country club is getting a new restaurant. It will be a blend of American/Fusion style food. Avalos-Rios said they plan to open this spring in the renovated clubhouse.
The menu will feature seafood and ceviche, though they are still working on the offerings, he said. The space can host weddings and events. The new restaurant is expected to have about 45 to 50 tables, and there will be some outdoor seating as well.
Eventually, Hart plans to tear down the clubhouse and construct a new building and event space to house the restaurant overlooking the water. Avalos-Rios said he and his partner plan to move into the new building.
The partners also are on board to run the restaurant and catering service for a new hotel that Hart plans to open as part of Lakeshore Village.
Hart said will likely be 2027 before construction on the housing portion of the development.
Avalos-Rios and Gonzalez also plan to renovate the former Papa Gallo’s in Fayetteville and turn it into a restaurant with Mexican and Peruvian cuisine.
