Rockaway's Playland Motel to Trade Party Spot for 'Family Friendly' Restaurant

Come beach season, the restaurant at the Playland Motel will no longer be open at all hours to fuel the raucous hipster beach party. Dan Cipriani, who ran The Cookout, a Southern food truck at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club last summer and is the dad of six, is taking over The Playland Tavern and plans to make it family friendly, says DNAinfo. Late last week, he told the local community board "I don't plan on staying open until 4 a.m....My vision for Playland is the exact opposite of what it was." What this means for the motel's parties is still unclear, but Cipriani, who also opened Lodge in Williamsburg, will take over on May 1 and will hire a new chef. Thankfully, there will still be hangover essentials like pancakes and huevos rancheros on the brunch menu.

Meanwhile, Cipriani's given up his spot at the Surf Club, making way for Rockaway Taco successor Tacoway Beach to move on in.