Piermont NY new restaurant Trata on the River opens
Trata on the River opens in Piermont
Being a food reporter who eats out a lot, I’m often asked where my favorite spots are. Frankly, I have a bunch, and where I go usually depends on my mood. Do I want someplace casual where I’m guaranteed a good burger and beer? Or should I go a bit more buzzy with a place that offers Neapolitan pizza and a well balanced glass of red?
I tend to be partial to water views and Greek food, so that’s always an attraction as is a cozy community-minded cafe where I can nurse an oversized mug of coffee and, if I feel like it, order breakfast or lunch.
Rockland has lots of places that fit that bill but as someone who covers what’s newly opened — I counted 35 places this year (give or take) — I feel compelled to share my favorite spots of 2024. This time of year, after all, is all about reflecting.
I’d be curious to see if my choices align with yours. Surprisingly (or not), this year a bulk of them are in Piermont.
I’m a huge fan of Lanni’s Cucina Verace Italiana where veteran chef Vittorio Lanni churns out authentic Italian dishes amidst a jewel-box of a restaurant. So I was thrilled when he went more casual with this new trattoria which opened in September. Diners will find the same Italian-focus — he hails from Benevento, a province of Naples, after all — but the space, which he runs with his wife Kimberly Auth Lanni, focuses more on the masses.
That means a menu with price points that cater to a wide variety of diners interested in a wide variety of experiences. It could be a night of beer and pizza. Or a glass of wine and antipasti. Or maybe something more substantial like a whole fish or a ribeye Tomahawk. There’s lots of choices including a host of stuzzichini (appetizers and snacks), homemade pastas, salumi, formaggio, and pizza in addition to charcuteries and 13 kinds of pizza. 453 Piermont Ave., 845-259-1122, TrattoriaPiermont.com.
I’m a beach girl so this breezy, Mediterranean focused waterfront spot has my heart. The blues! The pinks! The greenery! And the view! It’s all islandly, brunchy, and flowery with a vibe you’d find in Greece. I also love the emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients with 99% of the menu made from scratch. Most items are gluten-free and can be easily modified to accommodate dietary restrictions (or preferences).
The fish — the restaurant’s point of pride with its own corner of the restaurant devoted to a display — is imported from around the world but mainly from Greece, New Zealand and East Africa. Diners can also expect an impressive raw bar, a variety of salads, a host of Greek hummus and other dips in addition to meats. 701 Piermont Ave., 845-398-2000, trataontheriver.com.
I’ve enjoyed Café Diem in Pearl River since it opened two years ago, so it’s no surprise its second location would also be a fave. It’s basically the same food (think all day breakfast, baked goods, wraps, salads and sandwiches, albeit with a few more vegan options) just in a different layout with a large backyard.
Their coffee and cocktails always hit the spot depending, again on my mood. What makes them more fun is how you can add a Café Diem logo or photo (I got a lohud one). Two of the best seats in the house are in the two front windows where you can watch the outside action on the sidewalk. 458 Piermont Ave., 212-871-5385, cafediempr.com.
It was a long road for this New City-based eatery to open but open it did — in June — where Hudson Market on Main and Rising Above Bakery had been. And though the beer’s not brewed here— that’s done at its original location — it’s just as fresh and satisfying. The new spot, with a more industrial vibe, cement bar, wood floor, exposed piping and four TV’s, also features artwork from the Nyack Art Collective.
But it’s the burgers — and let’s face it, the beer — that take center stage: freshly ground cuts of choice or higher, with no trimmings that are handmade and pressed flat on the grill for maximum caramelization. Burgers come in a host of options including the classic cheese, with mushrooms, thick-cut bacon and more. There are also non-burger options such as the lobster roll, fish tacos and wings. Everything, at least in my opinion, makes for a well-priced night out on the town. 5 N Broadway, theburgerloft.com.
I’m a sucker for both Italian food and good wine so the opening of this snazzy 54-seat space coupled with a playful blackboard décor featuring colorful chalk illustrations highlighting different aspects of Italian history, hooked me right away. I’m also a fan of the space’s old bank vault, now the wine cellar, where diners are encouraged to walk in and peruse the bottles.
The food is designed to pair with the wine, a variety of small and larger plates with an emphasis on seasonality and a nod to the Mediterranean. There’s also Roman-style pizza, a go-to dish I never get tired of. 50 Lafayette Ave., 845-533-4160, lavagnasuffern.com.
I’m a sucker for a coffee shop. And I’m happiest when a coffee shop has food options beyond a simple muffin or croissant. Which is why I was glad to see the expansion of Salonniere Coffee Bar in October, which opened exactly five years to the date of Salonniere Coffee Bar.
The all-day eatery, which now has sandwiches, soups and salads, was inspired by owner Marcella Mazzeo.’s “cool aunt’s” complete with whatever you’re in the mood for: coffee, sweet and savory bites; or perhaps a glass of vino. The new space, with a few stools and a communal table in front, also features a variety of Italian-influenced pantry items, think shelves of pastas, oils, spreads, and even books and gifts. Said Mazzeo.: “We like to call our bougie bottega or in Sicilian “A Putia da Zia,” my aunt’s pantry/bottega.” There’s also seating in their back parlour. Personally, I love the wordage on their website asking if you prefer an aperitivo or apericena. It’s enough to get you in an Italian state of mind before you’ve even entered the store. 79 1/2 South Broadway, salonnierecoffeebar.square.site.
Exotic teas, premium nuts, Turkish delights, rare herbs, specialty coffee, chocolates and honey are among the curated items at this gourmet market, which Gina Sarwari, who owns Noble Cafe down the street, opened in June. It’s like visiting a global bazaar where everywhere you turn is something new and exotic, with spices, teas and other pantry items from Vietnam, Japan, Afghanistan, and Egypt. If you’re a tea lover, this is hands-down your drive-worthy must stop as Sarwari is a master at recommending teas for digestion, hormone changes, headaches and stress. Plus she sells gorgeous tea and coffee sets from Turkey. 646 Main St., 845-236-6140.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
Dining and Cooking