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Croton Chef Opens New Restaurant In Irvington

IRVINGTON, N.Y. -- If you can guess the connection behind the name of Eric Korn's new restaurant, Wolfert's Roost, and the village of Irvington, you obviously know your town history.

Wolfert's Roost is all about offering a variety of comfort foods.

Wolfert's Roost is all about offering a variety of comfort foods.

Photo Credit: ©Good-Life Gourmet, Inc.
Wolfert's Roost opened quietly after Thanksgiving and is now serving lunch and dinner.

Wolfert's Roost opened quietly after Thanksgiving and is now serving lunch and dinner.

Photo Credit: ©Good-Life Gourmet, Inc.

That's because the eatery, in the space formerly occupied by Cupcake Kitchen, is the moniker of Washington Irving's home, what Korn calls "the original Irvington hang out." (Google it: Before "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" the author named his estate after Wolfert Acker, a Colonial-era American.)

The goal of his new space, what Korn affectionately calls "The Roost," is run by Jennie Werts, a French Culinary Institute graduate and experienced New York City City chef,  Hastings-On-Hudson resident Will Korn who likes to say he graduated from the "Institute of Eric Korn," (his brother) and Jorge Ortiz, from Queens.

The people and the warm camaraderie of the staff is an important aspect to the eatery as is the food, a combination of simple, comforting dishes divided into salads, medium plates, large plates and big bowls. "We're cooking food we want to eat and enjoy cooking," said Eric Korn, a Croton-On-Hudson resident and the chef/owner behind Good-Life Gourmet, the popular boutique catering business just up the street.

Korn, who's known in the area for his various pop-up eateries over the years, admits he always said he'd never open a restaurant but "deep down I  knew I would," he said.

His is quick to point out, however, that this is not "his" restaurant, but rather one that everyone from Irvington was asking him for. And that, fellow foodies, means an open kitchen where you can watch the action, a counter to casually dine at, a BYOB policy with no corkage fee, and an ambiance featuring lots of white and wood, the bulk of which his team did themselves. 

Lunch officially started Dec. 10 though the restaurant has been quietly opened since the day after Thanksgiving. Brunch is planned for spring, 2015.

Wolfert's Roost is at 100 Main St., 914-231-7576; wolfertsroostirv.com.   

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