Relic On State Looks To Bring Taste Of New York To Newtown

NEWTOWN, PA — Working in the restaurant industry, you learn to wear multiple hats, and at Relic on State, the latest restaurant to open in Newtown Borough, Greg Conlan is both the man behind the bar and the man behind the scenes.

As former manager and operator of several New York City restaurants, the Manhattan restaurateur has had plenty of success over the years. But the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented financial obstacles for the veteran businessman, forcing him to look outside the five boroughs for new opportunities.

He found his calling at 101 S. State St. in the borough of Newtown, at the corner of State Street and Centre Avenue.

While a seemingly ideal location for an eatery, the space has gone through plenty of turnover in the last decade. Most recently, it was Thyme Bar and Grill, which opened in 2019 only to close less than two years later. Prior to that, it was the Black Horse Tavern, and before that, it was The Grotto.

The building itself, meanwhile, boasts a rich history. In 1754, the stone structure was purchased by Margaret Thornton in 1754, and later sold to Francis Murray in 1772, where his family ran a general store. In 1776, it was the home of Francis Murray, a general in the American militia who was captured by the British in New York. After he was released, he returned to Newtown.

With Relic on State, Conlan hopes to bring the taste and class of New York City to Newtown Borough. The smooth baritone voices of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett are played through the speakers, and there are no televisions.

"We're not trying to be a tavern or a gin joint," Conlan says. "This is old school hospitality."

Running the back-of-house is Jean Giunta, a Long Island native and veteran chef who received her training at the Culinary Institute of America. She's worked at various restaurants in the New York and New Jersey area, including the infamous Ivy Club, where she said she "fed the yuppy larvae" of Princeton.

Like Conlan, she's hoping to bring some authentic, New York flare to the borough.

"We're trying to bring back classy New York," she said. "You go to a restaurant, and no one talks anymore. Everyone's looking down at their phone."

The restaurant serves primarily American cuisine, including burgers, steaks, sandwiches, salads and pasta entrees, and its drink menu focuses on wine and spirits (there are no beers on tap, only bottled).

Relic on State is currently open for dinner Tuesdays through Sundays, but Conlan hopes to open seven days a week in the near future. For the latest updates, check out their website and Facebook page.

Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe