New Restaurant 1881 Kitchen Table Already Has Rich History In Place
PORT CHESTER, NY — There were no opening night jitters in the Hudson Valley’s most unique new dining destination. Every detail, some more than a century in the making, has already been carefully set in place.
Like the menu by Chef Frank Azulay, the decor of the historic downtown building merges the classic and the avant-garde in a way that creates something entirely unexpected and just right. Owners Jennifer and Udi Livne, of Harrison, created the globally influenced space to merge form and function to set the scene for a culinary adventure that transcends time and defies categories. Centered around a visually striking wood-fired oven, the space demands attention on a the remarkable plates on the table. The hand-carved salt brick meat aging room and the nostalgia-inducing bar and wine room enclosed with forged steel barn doors are as much a part of the ambiance as critical parts of dinner service.
Azulay has teamed up with the Livnes to bring the distinctive concept to life. The powerhouse culinary luminary and restauranteurs have a storied history as impressive as the landmark space.
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Born and raised in France, Chef Azulay draws on years of experience from his acclaimed restaurants in Israel and his travels to create dishes conceived to explore a mix of global cultures.
1881 Kitchen Table, in downtown Port Chester, has a name that was inspired by the history of the building constructed in 1881. The Main Street landmark housed the village’s library, a gentleman’s room, a speakeasy and Siegels and Hart Schaffner Marx clothing stores (both names have been restored on the building facade).
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“Udi and I are passionate about this historic property and fell in love with the potential of the building,” owner Jennifer Livne said. “We wanted to preserve yet modernize the space for everyone in the area to experience something unique. We teamed up with a true artist of food [Chef Azulay] and artist of drink [Beverage Manger Julio Enriquez] to help us build an exceptional experience off the canvas we designed, where the food and drink will come to life when it hits the table.”
The wood-fired oven greets diners under a visually stunning copper dome. That hand-carved salt brick meat aging room is a first-of-its-kind in the area. The aging room is a chamber that is equipped with walls made from bricks of Himalayan pink salt, which plays a significant role in creating the perfect conditions for maturing steaks, according to the chef.
The menu was built with simplicity that focuses on the historic roots of “clean, elemental cooking.” It will rotate regularly to feature the season’s freshest ingredients, many from local Hudson Valley farms. An emphasis on a mix of small plates and butcher’s cuts from the meat aging room won’t change with the calendar.
“We believe in mastering the art of food with simple elements that enhance the highest quality ingredients,” Chef Azulay said. “I think of a plate as an opportunity where I can create something beautiful and memorable. I look forward to drawing on my global experience to bring guests standout food and a menu that will change regularly to incorporate the season’s bounty.”
Like the culinary offerings, the wine list and cocktail menu pay tribute to heritage without being afraid to get creative.
Enriquez incorporates the unique elements of the restaurant into his creations, such as a beeswax and smoked old fashioned inspired by the wood-fired oven, and a reimagined beet and walnut butter cocktail inspired by one of Chef Azulay’s salads.
1881 Kitchen Table is open for dinner service Tuesday through Saturday. Later this summer, the restaurant plans to be open on Sundays as well and will offer brunch. Reservations can be made on Resy or by calling the restaurant directly. 1881 Kitchen Table is located at 112 N Main St, in downtown Port Chester.
Street parking is conveniently located in the front of the restaurant with two rear parking lots directly behind. Additional parking is located in the surrounding blocks.
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