Sonoma Grill, shuttered last month for ‘cosmetic renovations,’ will not reopen, building’s owner says

Sonoma Grill on East Main Street has closed.

The restaurant, which opened up just a year ago, shut its doors in early September with a promise of re-opening after “cosmetic renovations,” according to a sign posted on the door shortly after Labor Day. The sign advised visitors to “check back for re-opening date.”

But the re-opening date never came and landlord Chris Pia of Archangel Holdings said today it won’t be coming — not for Sonoma, anyway.

“I have taken control of the building,” Pia said. He said his lawyer has a “signed relinquishment letter” from the tenant, giving possession of the premises back to the landlord.

Pia said today he started eviction proceedings about a month ago.

This is the second tenant there that the landlord sought to evict. The prior tenant, the Riverhead Project, which occupied the site when Archangel Holdings bought it in February 2014, signed over possession to the landlord that September, after Archangel had sued for nonpayment of rent and other charges in excess of $57,000.

Pia says he’s got “three solid suitors” lined up for the site. They are all “quality” names with other successful restaurants in the area. He’s confident the next tenant will be the right one, he said.

Pia said he owns thriving commercial properties on the North Fork, including Breeze Hill Farm in Peconic and the sites of Lombardis of Love Lane the NOFO Center in Mattituck and is “financially sound” in the Riverhead building.

Sonoma was opened by partners Matt DeMar and John Cestare. DeMar said today he left the business shortly after they opened the restaurant; he’s now back to making music videos, he said. Cestare did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Sonoma is one of two Main Street restaurants to close its doors last month. Uncle Joe’s Pizzeria and Restaurant on West Main Street also shut down.