Historic Albany Restaurant to Relaunch as Private Political Club

Set to reopen in late 2025, the former popular Albany dining venue will transform into an exclusive members-only social club, emphasizing political networking and private events.

Originally opening its doors in 1977, the restaurant became a favored spot for New York’s political figures across party lines, hosting governors Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Pataki, and Andrew Cuomo. The establishment, known as La Serre, closed in 2020 after struggling to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which heavily affected its large gathering business.

The new owners, including Mayor Eric Adams’ spokesperson Todd Shapiro and legal partners Greg Caggiano and Todd Miller, plan to revamp the historic space with an emphasis on high-level diplomacy and social engagement. According to a press release, the revamped venue aims to serve as a key contemporary hub for political strategy, influential networking, and exclusive events, filling a critical void in Albany’s social scene.

Membership will be highly selective, primarily offering access to political leaders, media influencers, creatives, and civic entrepreneurs. The club will feature modern amenities such as a rooftop terrace and a redesigned interior that departs from the previous upscale, leather-decorated ambiance to a more relaxed, “clubby” atmosphere.

Among its features, the club will include a secret “War Room” — a private area for off-the-record discussions among politicians, sharing its name with another restaurant owned by Shapiro. This space is intended to facilitate candid conversations away from public view.

The original founder, Anne Trimble, established the restaurant with her late husband Geoffrey, who died in 2005. She managed the venue alongside her son, John, until its closure and is said to be involved in the upcoming reopening plans.