The Sail Loft, a local favorite in Padanaram for about the past 50 years, reopened last Thursday, May 12 under the ownership of local restaurateur Steve Silverstein.

The restaurant has undergone a complete renovation over the last eight months, according to Silverstein, who owns five other restaurants in Dartmouth and New Bedford, including Joe’s Original, Cisco Breweries, and Cultivator Shoals.

“It was an old building that needed a lot of work,” he said of the Sail Loft. “So we completely renovated it and redesigned it. It’s totally different from before.”

Silverstein said the new Sail Loft features an updated American menu with a wide variety of options, ranging from a tuna tostada starter to a mushroom bolognese.

The idea to buy the restaurant came naturally, Silverstein said, as he’s been a regular there for years.

“It’s a great local spot in my neighborhood and one I enjoyed personally,” he said.

He added that despite significant renovations, he wanted the Sail Loft to maintain the feeling of a neighborhood restaurant.

“We’re really happy with how it came out,” he said.

After a successful opening weekend, Silverstein said the restaurant will be serving lunch and dinner daily starting this Saturday, May 21. The patio, he added, should be open by Memorial Day.

For more information visit thesailloftdartmouth.com.