The Mill at Sutter’s officially debuted on May 1 during a grand opening weekend filled with live music and entertainment. Since then, the Airmont restaurant has been welcoming guests with familiar favorites, from wings, burgers, sandwiches, and pasta to steaks, shareable appetizers, cocktails, and late-night bites. With sports, live entertainment, and a full bar, The Mill offers a place to enjoy a meal, catch a game, or gather with friends and family.
From Sutter’s Mill to The Mill at Sutter’s
Originally known as Sutter’s Mill, the Airmont locale has long been a familiar part of the Rockland County community. For Rich Salerno, the owner and general manager of The Mill at Sutter’s, the restaurant became more than a new business venture. It is a continuation of a place he has known for years.
Born and raised in Rockland County, Salerno has spent most of his professional life in business and entrepreneurship. He started working at a young age and developed a hands-on approach to running a business, with an emphasis on hard work, consistency, problem-solving, and building a strong team. That experience carries into his day-to-day role at The Mill, from the guest experience and menu to staffing, events, marketing, and the physical space itself.
Salerno’s ties to the location go beyond the restaurant itself, with years of family gatherings and memories connected to the building. When the opportunity to take over the restaurant came about, he wanted to build on that history rather than leave it behind, creating a new identity for the space while honoring what it has meant to both him and the community.
That connection also inspired the decision to keep “Sutter’s” in the name, carrying a familiar piece of the location’s past into what is now a new chapter. “The Mill at Sutter’s is not meant to be a copy of the old restaurant, but we wanted to respect what the location meant to people while giving it a new identity and a new future,” Salerno adds.
With its neighborhood feel, The Mill at Sutter’s brings together different parts of the local community. “It really depends on what time you come in, and that is part of what makes The Mill different,” Salerno says. During the day, families, couples, and coworkers can settle in for lunch or dinner, while the energy picks up later in the evening around the bar. TVs throughout the restaurant bring sports into the mix, while cocktails, live music, and conversation become part of the evening. Guests can come for dinner, stay for a game or a drink, and spend the evening without having to go anywhere else.
Food, Drinks, and Late-Night Favorites
The menu at The Mill at Sutter’s centers on familiar favorites, with options ranging from shareable starters and wings to burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, chicken dishes, and steak. “Our wings and burgers have become popular, and our Saturday prime rib has built a following as well,” Salerno notes. The restaurant also offers a selection of cocktails designed to complement the food and the atmosphere. Weekly specials include Happy Hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with discounts on select drinks and appetizers at the bar, and a Saturday prime rib dinner for $49.99 with a choice of two sides.
When it comes to developing new menu items, Salerno says the process starts with listening to guests and staff. “A lot of it starts with listening. We pay attention to what guests are ordering, what they are asking for, what our staff is hearing, and what we think is missing from the menu.” From there, the team considers the recipe, portions, presentation, preparation time, and consistency. “A menu item has to taste good, be something our guests want, and be something the kitchen can execute consistently, even when we’re busy. That balance is important.”
The restaurant also aims to use fresh ingredients whenever possible and source locally when it can, working with suppliers to maintain quality, freshness, and consistency.
Community Hub and Looking Ahead
Beyond the menu, The Mill has also become a setting for community events and entertainment. Karaoke takes place on Tuesday nights, with trivia on Thursdays, and live music scheduled on select weekends. “Long-term, we want The Mill to continue becoming a true local gathering place,” Salerno says.
With Salerno’s Rockland County roots, being part of the local community is an important part of the restaurant’s direction. He hopes to continue building connections with local organizations and businesses while creating more opportunities for people to gather at the restaurant.
Looking ahead, Salerno says the restaurant is exploring an expansion into the adjacent space, which would provide an additional dining and entertainment area. Other plans include adding pool tables and local pool leagues, introducing pizza to the menu, and expanding the late-night food options. “There is a lot we still want to do with the space, and we’re excited about where it can go,” Salerno emphasizes.
The Mill at Sutter’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., serving American classics and familiar favorites throughout the day. Guests can stop in for lunch or dinner, catch a football game, listen to live music, or attend a karaoke or trivia night. For more information, visit the website.
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Dining and Cooking