The Brick Hotel's long-quiet dining room is finally getting a new tenant, with Donatelli's preparing to move into the former Rocco's at The Brick space in Newtown. Renovation crews have been tearing into the interior, and the new operator is targeting a late-summer debut. If that timing holds, the borough's main dining room will welcome its first new restaurant since the abrupt November 2025 closure of Rocco's.
According to 94.5 PST, the incoming restaurant will operate under the Donatelli's name and occupy the ground-floor dining room at 1 Washington Avenue. The property's website lists the address as 1 East Washington Avenue in Newtown, per The Brick Hotel. The radio outlet reports that crews are carrying out major renovations and that the team is seeking approval for an outdoor bar and patio while eyeing an August opening.
Signage and menu hints
A local realtor's Facebook post featuring a mockup sign reading "Steaks. Italian. Spirits" sparked a wave of enthusiastic comments from neighbors, Patch reported. Patch noted that the realtor said her client "is working tirelessly on renovations - opening every wall, every ceiling." Menus at other restaurants operating under the Donatelli's name highlight steaks and seafood, though it is not yet clear whether the Newtown project is connected to those locations. Donatelli's menu
Rocco's abrupt closure and the liquor license dispute
Rocco's at The Brick shut down suddenly on Nov. 22, 2025 amid a fight over the property's liquor license that left about 60 employees without jobs just ahead of the holidays. FOX29 reported that the restaurant's owner said the hotel's owner terminated the liquor-license agreement, making it impossible to keep the business open. Staff members called the closure "devastating" and focused on refunding unused gift cards while clearing out the dining room.
What locals are saying
Neighbors and nearby business owners have largely cheered the Donatelli's news, with Facebook commenters and fellow restaurateurs wishing the new operators well, according to Patch. Many said they were relieved to see the large, historic space returning to active use after sitting vacant for months.
Timeline and next steps
The Donatelli's team has not released a formal grand-opening plan, but 94.5 PST reports they are aiming for an August launch and are working through the required permits before welcoming diners. Until the operators issue an official announcement, that timeline remains tentative and tied to how quickly construction and approvals wrap up.
