Artistic and globally influenced, 1881 Kitchen Table will debut in Port Chester on Thursday, July 18th in a historic space designed to provide a unique experience.
Owner and Harrison resident Jennifer Livne said of the building, which was built in 1881, “Woody and I have a passion for this historic building and fell in love with its potential. 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 (Chef Frank Azulay) and beverage artist (Julio Henriquez) to create an extraordinary experience where the canvas we designed comes to life the moment the food and drink are delivered to the table.”
The location previously housed a variety of establishments, including the town library, a gentlemen's room, a speakeasy, and clothing stores by Siegel's and Hart Schaffner-Marx (both signs have been restored so they are visible on the front of the building). But the restaurant's name pays homage not only to the past, but also to the present and future as Port Chester continues to evolve. The 94-plus seating space is where Azoulay's creative creations are made. Dishes are prepared in an open-concept kitchen that features a central wood-fired oven with a copper dome, where most of the dishes are made. Born and raised in France, Azoulay draws on his extensive travels and years of experience working in Israel's outstanding restaurants to create a fusion of cultures.
Other features that set 1881 apart include its hand-carved salt-brick meat-aging room. The room features walls made from Himalayan pink salt bricks, playing a key role in creating the perfect conditions for aging steaks and allowing guests to savor their unique flavors. The restaurant also features a Modbar espresso bar, offering an elevated coffee experience along with decadent desserts made in-house daily. Additionally, the wine room, enclosed by forged steel barn doors, features a semi-private mezzanine that seats 12, providing guests with an intimate setting for celebrations or group outings.
The menu reflects a simplicity that goes back to the roots of clean, basic cuisine, rotating regularly and offering a mix of small plates and butcher cuts from the meat-aging room.
Enriquez, who has worked at restaurants including Mori and Hinoki in Greenwich and Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, and head bartender Sebastian Rodriguez will incorporate restaurant elements into the program: a beeswax and smoked Old Fashioned takes inspiration from the wood-fired oven, while a beet and walnut butter cocktail pays homage to the chef's salad. The wine menu will feature a variety of selections from boutique wine producers.
“We believe in mastering the art of cuisine with simple elements that highlight the highest quality ingredients,” says 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 a menu that will change regularly to reflect the bounty of the seasons.”
1881 Kitchen Table will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and will be open on Sundays this summer as well as serving brunch. The restaurant is located at 112 N. Main St. For more information, see below.1881kitchen.com/.
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