Two Rockland food spots have opened in the past few weeks, one offering a hybrid shopping experience, the other inventive cocktails and New American cuisine. That's on top of Tappan's gaining a Spanish steakhouse with Lugo's which opened Oct. 9.
Details follow.
Goosetown Grocer, Nyack
Brothers Julian and Corey Payraudeau, owners of La Promenade in Upper Nyack, quietly opened Goosetown Grocer Oct. 1. The hybrid market, which for now is only open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, offers a variety of goods, from gifts and flowers to local produce, dairy, cheeses, meat and pantry items.
Julian said they'll be adding more products down the road as well as expanding in their hours. First, though,
they'd like to hear from the community. "I can't stock everything but I can listen," he said.
The brothers used the space next door to Le Promenade, which at one point had been a liquor store but most recently served as their storage room, to create their new market, named for the nickname Upper Nyack is known for (for those not in the know it's referred to as Goosetown). The goal is to keep things as local as possible as well as include specialty merchants offering products you can't find anywhere else. Much of their food come direct from area farms and their gift area includes local vendors such as Nyack's Botanique Floral and Design as well as Meryl Foster's Active Home.
"People are much more invested in where their food comes from these days," said Julian, "So we felt a need to open something that offered that."
Grocery items are a mixture of fresh produce (i.e. apples, squash, potatoes and onions), refrigerated items such as dairy, yogurt, cheeses and cured meats and a freezer section filled with ground beef, chicken, rib-eye steaks and more. There's even dog food from Goffle Road as well as various pantry items.
"Everyone thinks grocery when you say 'grocer," said Julian, "But we consider ourselves a seller of small goods, meaning we want people to know there are other businesses here too." 326 N. Broadway, 201-567-2500.
Alma Kitchen & Bar, Sparkill
Comfort food, great cocktail and good vibes is the mantra at this new spot, which opened Sept. 26. The eatery, with a curated New American menu concentrated on global influences, includes starters, salads, burgers and mains, and is open Tuesdays to Sundays starting at 4 p.m.
Among the food choices are oysters, tuna wontons, pork dumplings, beet salad, truffle burger, branzino, filet mignon, Linguini Mare and Pennoni (basil pesto, tomato confit topped with burrata). Alma house cocktails include the Alma-Rita (Casa Amigos Resposado, blackberries, jalapeños, lime, agave, tequila), Smashing Sangria )with either red or white wine) and Peary Good (with vodka, St. George spiced pear liqueur, lemon) and Hive (gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, honey, thyme).
Brenda Ortiz, who's been in the restaurant business since she was 13, always dreamed of having her own place. She's the mixologist and owner while Tatiana Bautista is the executive chef and co-owner. Together, they're offeirng diners cooking and drinks that reflect an appreciation for bold flavors, fresh ingredients and thoughtful presentation. Weekend brunch is to come. 623 Main St., 845-613-7878, almakb.com.
Got food news?
Send news of openings and closings to JRMuchnick@gannett.com. And while you're at it, sign up for my free weekly newsletter, which often includes behind-the-scenes info I don't always share in my stories at profile.lohud.com/newsletters/manage.
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.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: A brother-owned grocer and a woman-owned restaurant open in Rockland
