With an artistic and globally-inspired flair from the food to the décor, 1881 Kitchen Table will make its Westchester County debut on Thursday, July 18th.
The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Port Chester, in a historic space that offers a unique experience. It serves cuisine that mixes flavors from around the world and features a wood-fired oven, hand-carved salt brick meat aging room, a sleek bar, a unique espresso bar and an elegant wine room with a semi-private mezzanine. Chef Frank Azulay teamed with Harrison's owners Jennifer and Woody Livne to bring the concept to life.
The restaurant's name pays tribute to the history of the building, which was constructed in 1881 and previously housed a variety of unique establishments, including the town library, a gentleman's room, a speakeasy, and the clothing stores of Siegel's and Hart Schaffner Marx (both names have been restored to remain on the front of the building).
The restaurant's name reflects the past, present and future as Port Chester continues to grow and develop rapidly.
The 94-plus seating space provides a canvas for Chef Azulay to showcase his vibrant global cuisine, much of which is prepared in a bustling open-concept kitchen featuring a central wood-fired oven.
Born and raised in France, Chef Azoulay draws on his many years of experience working in renowned Israeli restaurants and his extensive travels to create dishes that fuse various cultures.
1881 has many unique features, but the most striking is its large wood-fired kiln with a copper dome. Courtesy photo
1881 has many unique features, most notably its large wood-fired oven with copper dome. Its hand-carved salt brick meat aging room is also the first of its kind in the region. The aging room, with walls made of Himalayan pink salt bricks, plays a key role in creating the perfect conditions for aging steaks, imparting a unique flavor to guests.
1881 also features a unique espresso bar by Modbar, offering an elevated coffee experience accompanied by decadent desserts prepared in-house daily by the restaurant's pastry chef.
Additionally, the Wine Room features a semi-private mezzanine that seats 12, providing an intimate setting for celebrations and group outings.
The menu reflects a simplicity that goes back to the roots of clean, essential cuisine and is rotated regularly to incorporate fresh, seasonal ingredients. Small plates are paired with butcher cuts from the meat curing room, making it a speciality. A sleek bar and elegant wine room add to the energy of the space.
Julio Enriquez will head up 1881's inventive drinks and bar program. He has plenty of experience in the field, having worked at restaurants such as Mori, Hinoki and Blue Hill at Stone Barns. With the help of lead bartender Sebastian Rodriguez, Julio will incorporate elements from the restaurant into the program, such as a beeswax and smoked Old Fashioned inspired by the wood-fired oven and a beet and walnut butter cocktail inspired by the chef's incredible salads. The wine menu will also feature a variety of selections from boutique producers.
Like the global menu, the space's design is historically influenced, with salvage wood sourced by the owners from around the world, then forged and textured over an open fire by a local blacksmith. The open kitchen and wood-burning oven create a warm, inviting atmosphere, while unique handcrafted accents add an eclectic element.
Owner Jennifer Livne said, “Udi and I are passionate about this historic building and love the potential it has. We wanted to preserve and modernize the space to create a unique experience for everyone in the community. We teamed up with a true food artist (the chef) and beverage artist (Julio) to create an exceptional experience where the food and drinks come to life from the canvas we designed the moment they are delivered to the table.”
The 1881 has many features that set it apart, but the most impressive is its large wood-fired oven with a copper dome.
“We believe in mastering the art of cooking with simple elements that highlight the highest quality ingredients,” said Chef Azoulay. “I view each dish as an opportunity to create a beautiful, memorable meal. I look forward to using my global experience to serve our guests outstanding cuisine and menus that change regularly to incorporate the bounty of the season.”
1881 Kitchen Table will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, with plans to open on Sundays and serve brunch later in the summer. Reservations can be made through Resy or by calling the restaurant directly.
The restaurant is located at 112 N Main Street in Port Chester.
There is convenient street parking in front of the restaurant and two rear parking lots directly behind it, plus additional parking on the surrounding blocks.
For more information, visit their website at 1881kitchen.com/
1881 Kitchen Table is artistic and globally influenced, from the food to the décor, offering a unique experience in a historic space in the heart of downtown Port Chester. Showcasing cuisine that mixes flavors from around the world, the restaurant features a wood-fired oven, hand-carved cured meat aging room, sophisticated bar, unique espresso bar and an elegant wine room with a semi-private mezzanine. Executive Chef Frank Azulay worked with owners Jennifer and Woody Livne of Harrison to bring the concept to life. 1881 Kitchen Table offers dinner service Tuesday through Saturday, and will open on Sundays and serve brunch later this summer. Reservations can be made through Resy or by calling the restaurant directly.
The restaurant is located at 112 N Main St in Port Chester. There is convenient street parking in front of the restaurant and two rear parking spaces directly behind it. There is also additional parking on the surrounding blocks. For more information, please visit the website at 1881kitchen.com/.
