Deni Reilly says reopening The Majestic Grille after a year is like first opening it back in 2006 — except that she and her co-owner/chef husband Patrick Reilly are 15 years older. And they have a kid.

The large Downtown restaurant will reopen for dinner April 2, a month before celebrating its 15th anniversary.

After a year on life support, restaurants start to ‘see some light’

“The vaccine is a big part of it,” Deni Reilly said of the decision. “We’re hearing from our regular customers that they want to come to our place first because they know we’re doing it right. We’ve had our entire staff vaccinated, and of course we’ll follow the rules.

“It’s just time. We’re seeing offices start to come back. People want to go out. As soon as you get your vaccine it’s like, ‘OK, so what are we doing, where are we going?’”

The Majestic dining room closed with all Memphis dining rooms after Mayor Jim Strickland declared a civil emergency March 19, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reillys tried to offer takeout for another week or so, but the restaurant, with seating for 265 in the main dining rooms, another 100 in private rooms and about 80 on the patio, is just too large for a skeleton operation.

“We did that for a whopping week,” Deni Reilly said. “It just wasn’t feasible.”

Like most restaurants Downtown, The Majestic relied on tourism, events and office workers for its core business. Its size made it a popular destination before shows at the Orpheum and FedExForum. Those venues have also been closed or host to very limited crowds for the past year.

The year it all went wrong and we still pulled through

In July, the Reillys opened Cocozza American Italian, a popup restaurant that was at first available for takeout and dining only on The Majestic patio, then for limited seating inside. The concept was popular and its prepared meals were even available at local groceries, but Cocozza ended — at least for now — on Saturday.

But Cocozza’s chicken piccata will be on The Majestic’s menu when it reopens, replacing the lemon chicken that was there before.

“The bulk of The Majestic favorites will be there, but we’ll start with a slightly pared-down menu because food costs are out of whack,” Reilly said. “There’s a lot of unknown there. For example, we fly fish down from Boston, and we’re not sure what the volume will be.

“Flatbreads are coming back, the pork tenderloin is coming back, we’ll still be hand cutting all of our steaks, though we won’t have as many to start. We’re starting with dinner and weekend brunch.

“And yes, we decided to have Easter brunch our first weekend back.”

Couples who work together – and stay together – in the restaurant business

While the year has been devastating for people around the world and for numerous businesses, restaurants have been hit hard and people have missed them. Reilly said that loyal customers lifted her spirits over the year.

“I’ve had customers who have moved out of town Venmo me money and ask me to give it to my staff,” she said. “Two customers decided that instead of buying Christmas gifts for each other, to bring gifts and handmade masks to some employees. It made everyone feel great.”

The restaurant employed 75-95 workers before the pandemic, but will resume operations with a leaner staff.

“All of the kitchen employees are coming back, and we’ll have about 12 in the front of the house,” she said. “They’re all Majestic employees, all familiar faces.”

The Parish opens in Hernando, and Parish Grocery moves to Cooper-Young

Over the past year, the remaining staff refinished the floors, the tables, refigured the kitchen and painted — just a general spiffing up.

“This was a good opportunity to do everything you can’t do when you’re open seven days a week and to take a look at everything from plating to seating to service,” Reilly said.

The restaurant will be open for dinner 4-9 p.m. and for brunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sunday. Reservations are encouraged, which can be made at resy.com for everything except Easter brunch; you have to call 901-522-8555 to reserve a spot for that.

“And when the offices reopen, we’ll be open for lunch,” Reilly said.