WARRENSBURG, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Billy Trdsou, who competed against Gordon Ramsay on Season 21 of FOX's “Hell's Kitchen,” will soon open Lizzie Keys Kitchen & Cocktails in Warrensburg, the first restaurant Trdsou will serve as owner and chef.
A Chestertown native, Trudsoe studied at the State University of New York's Adirondack College and has more than 25 years of chef experience. He has worked in Lake George area restaurants including The Algonquin, Iva and Audie's Country Diner, Malone Golf Club and The Garrison.
Trdsou is currently executive chef at Basil & Wick's in North Creek, which he reopened with co-owner Jane Peter in January 2023. In April, it was announced that Trdsou would be the new owner of Lizzie Keys and reopen the restaurant.
When Trudesau found out Lizzie Keys was up for lease, he took a look inside and was enthralled by the space, which features two dining rooms, a porch and an outdoor terrace. Over the past few months, he and his team have been working to renovate the restaurant and make it their own.
Lizzie Keys is scheduled to open to the public on June 19. But Trdsoe said opening the restaurant is stressful because they're still waiting on a liquor license. He's working with Sen. Dan Stec's office and the New York State Liquor Control Board to get the license as soon as possible. Trdsoe hopes to have the liquor license in place before Lizzie Keys opens on Wednesday.
“It's all in the hands of New York state now,” Toldoso said. “Do I want to reopen without that? No. My staff have to feed their families.”
Both Lizzie Keys and Basil & Wicks are part of his True's Mad Flava brand, which he plans to expand. Toldoso said he has other projects in the works but couldn't share any further details at this time.
Basil & Wicks is a gastropub, so he wanted Lizzie Keays to be an upscale casual restaurant. The menu includes overlapping specialties such as Trudsoe's Black Forest Chicken and BTrue Chicken Wings. Other specialties on the Lizzie Keays menu are Diver Scallops, Mushroom Ravioli, and Clam Chowder. You can see the full menu on the Lizzie Keays website.
Toldoso was eliminated from “Hell's Kitchen” in the sixth episode of season 21, finishing in 14th place. During his appearance on “Hell's Kitchen,” he served Gordon Ramsay his signature Black Forest Chicken.
Although it's fine dining, Trudesau said Lizzie Keys doesn't have a dress code. Once open, the restaurant will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Reservations can be made on the Open Table website.
“We're just overjoyed by the response and the love from the community and the surrounding area,” Toldoso said. “This is the biggest moment of my entire career. It's not a reality show anymore.”
