MacGregor’s Restaurant reopens in Havre de Grace after visit from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay
Since starting as a bookkeeper at MacGregor’s in 2001, Stephanie Golumbek has worn nearly every hat in the restaurant — from bartender to general manager. Now its official owner, Golumbek has made perhaps her biggest marks yet, bringing a celebrity chef through the doors and permitting a full-scale renovation to the Havre de Grace staple.
MacGregor’s Restaurant, at 331 Saint John St., reopened over the weekend following a visit from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. His appearance at the restaurant last week drew dozens of city residents to nearby sidewalks, eager for a chance to see the television chef and his production crew.
“I cried the most happiest tears I’ve ever cried in my entire life,” Golumbek said, expressing her gratitude for the renovations Ramsay’s crew made to her restaurant. “This is anything beyond my wildest dreams. I don’t know what I’ve done in the world to deserve this but I am so appreciative. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
According to its website, the “upscale-casual” restaurant opened on the Susquehanna River waterfront in 1987 and serves “fish-focused fare.” MacGregor’s announced its temporary closure on social media on March 8 and remained off-limits to the public for most of the past week as a production crew took over the building, with Ramsay making occasional appearances outside.
The production crew informed staff members and town officials that a television episode is set to air sometime this summer. Fans who waited hours to catch a glimpse of Ramsay last week were told the series is “brand new, not even titled yet.” Employees at MacGregor’s signed non-disclosure agreements and are prohibited from revealing any details about the show before its official release.
Last Tuesday, as cameras rolled outside, MacGregor’s team entered through the front entrance, gasping and shouting as they saw the renovations that were made as part of the episode.
“I was surprised, just really happy to see it,” said Erik Payne, a server. On Friday evening, Payne, Golumbek and other members of staff welcomed invited guests through the restaurant’s doors for the first time since Ramsay’s visit, offering the public its first look at the changes.
Patrons were offered seating in the restaurant’s front dining room on Friday at new high-top tables and booths. The revamped bar featured beer, wine and liquor, and was lit up by banker’s lamps — a subtle nod to the building’s former life as a bank. Black and white photos of historic Havre de Grace decorated the walls, a local touch to the newly unveiled renovations.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing,” said Jennifer Ebaugh, a frequent customer. “I live in Havre de Grace and I’m here all the time, so I was just like, ‘Wow.’”
A newly updated menu crafted by Gordon Ramsay awaited customers, showcasing a variety of dishes such as salmon BLT, tuna tartare, crab linguine, flounder Milanese, halibut cheeks, and a soft-shell crab sandwich, among others. Golumbek said the restaurant will rely more on local watermen for its seafood and described the dishes as “a little more upscale.”
“However, we will still offer some pub fare,” she said. “Expect local seafood, expect local produce, expect fresh products. Expect it to match what we look like now. We’ve found a new identity.”
City officials, including Council member Tammy Lynn Schneegas, were among customers on Friday, with Schneegas savoring the salmon BLT. “I was greeted with the warmth of a cozy environment that was welcoming and very classy,” she said. “The change is breathtaking.” Her husband, Edward, who enjoyed chicken tenders, fries, and a Caesar salad, added, “The food is great.”
Sitting nearby, Bridgette Johnson, the city’s director of Economic Development, had just finished her meal. “It was the ‘Wow’ factor. It was nice to see the before and after product, and I think the television crew and Stephanie did a really great job,” she said.
MacGregor’s Restaurant announced its public reopening on March 15, operating with a temporarily smaller menu during regular hours as staff adapts to new ingredients and computer systems, Golumbek said. Those who are interested in making reservations can visit www.macgregorsrestaurant.com or call 410-939-3003 for same-day reservations.
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Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
The film/production crew is seen outside MacGregor’s. A member of the production crew asks fans to move to another sidewalk to get out of a shot. He wanted the episode to look “as natural as possible.” Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
MacGregor’s staff members were filmed on Tuesday afternoon as they filtered into the restaurant. Many let out an audible gasp as they entered, leaving many fans to speculate that renovations had occurred inside MacGregor’s. Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
The film/production crew is seen outside MacGregor’s. A member of the production crew asks fans to move to another sidewalk to get out of a shot. He wanted the episode to look “as natural as possible.” Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Members of production crew, one is flying a drone over the restaurant. Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
A member of the production crew asks fans to move to another sidewalk to get out of a shot. He wanted the episode to look “as natural as possible.” Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
The film/production crew is seen outside MacGregor’s. A member of the production crew asks fans to move to another sidewalk to get out of a shot. He wanted the episode to look “as natural as possible.” Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
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Gordon Ramsay was in Havre de Grace over the past weekend and early part of the week, filming an episode that the production crew described as “brand new, not even titled yet.” In the early afternoon hours on Tuesday, dedicated fans of Ramsay’s stood across from MacGregor’s Restaurant, where the famous chef was inside. (Brennan Stewart/Staff)
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