About two years ago, Michael Pasqualini passed by the property at 6 Saw Mill River Rd. in Hawthorne and thought the site of the old Gasho of Japan restaurant would be an ideal location for his growing catering business.
He wanted to buy the land, but the owner told him it was not for sale.
At the beginning of the year, when the site had already been abandoned for six years and was overgrown with weeds and leaves, Pasqualini inquired about the property again through his real estate agent.
His persistence paid off. Last Thursday, Pasqualini, who owns and operates the famous Mansion on Broadway in White Plains, held a ceremonial groundbreaking for what will become Le Setai, a catering venue for weddings and special events.
He hopes to open it in fall 2025 with a capacity for about 255 guests.
“I saw an opportunity at this location to host larger events on more property, so we seized this opportunity,” said Pasqualini, an Armonk resident.
Initially, the 12,000-square-foot space will be completely gutted inside. When it opens, it will feature a large ballroom with a skylight over the dance floor and access to a flagstone patio. There will also be floor-to-ceiling windows.
Outside, there will be landscaped gardens, waterfalls and the original koi pond. Pasqualini said guests will experience a tiki bar and cabana on the grounds.
One of the main reasons Pasqualini invested in the 7-acre Hawthorne property is its need for space. Mansion on Broadway can accommodate no more than 200 people, so when the weather is nice, guests can enjoy the picturesque grounds.
“Westchester needs something like us,” Pasqualini said. “A lot of the places are outdated. A lot of people are going to New Jersey these days instead of staying in the Westchester area, so we’re going to continue to keep people in this area.”
The city of Mount Pleasant is also looking forward to Le Setai’s opening next year. Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said the city does not have a dining facility the size of Le Setai, although there are places that have about half the capacity.
Once the work on site is completed, a property that had become an eyesore due to pest hazards will be transformed into a place that is expected to become beautiful.
“It will be a great asset to the city of Mount Pleasant, and whatever we can do from the city, we will be there for you,” Fulgenzi Pasqualini said during the brief ceremony at the site last week. “I’m glad you came to Mount Pleasant, and we wish you the best of luck.”
From an economic perspective, Le Setai is expected to create more than 50 full-time jobs after opening.
Pasqualini said he is looking forward to getting the construction behind him and hosting events. In addition to Mansion on Broadway, he has operated venues in Connecticut and Florida.
“We are very happy that we are so successful today,” he said. “I always surround myself with the right people. Everyone who knows me knows that we are very happy to be working with the city.”
