Landmark Lynnfield Restaurant May Reopen By Thanksgiving

One of the North Shore's best-known dining landmarks is set to re-open its doors later this year, possibly around Thanksgiving.

Attorney Jeff Goldberg and Ship owner Nino Micozzi were among those in attendance at Monday night's Lynnfield selectmen's meeting seeking renewal of the site's liquor license, which was approved. Opening will also depend on regulatory procedures with the town board of health and state alcoholic beverages commission.

The previous incarnation of the restaurant, Mount Vernon at The Ship, went out of business last year and the landmark building has been largely vacant since then. The site on Route 1 South has been home to a Ship-shaped restaurant since at least the 1930s, noted Selectman Bob MacKendrick. Back then, it operated under the name Ship's Haven restaurant. It had at least a couple of other name modifications over the years.

Goldberg told selectmen that Micozzi had considered some different options for the landmark building and then decided to open a restaurant, with restaurant general manager Dante Bellucci who was also in attendance. "It's very important to Mr. Micozzi that a restaurant re-open at his property for both business and legal purposes," said Goldberg, citing his client's obligations to other tenant businesses at the site.

Bellucci reported that the forthcoming restaurant will feature specialties like seafood and pasta, with some American and Italian dishes. In response to a question from Selectman Dave Nelson on planned entertainment, the restaurant team responded that there is at present only plans to have a piano player.

After the meeting, Micozzi told Lynnfield Patch that in this new restaurant, he plans to emulate the golden days of the place. "We want to go back to what it once was," said Micozzi. "It was successful for 60 years. Why change it? We just want to go back to when it was 'The Ship.'"