Flying Pig Chef Proposes Chappaqua Restaurant
The former chef of The Flying Pig in Mount Kisco unveiled plans last week to open a similar restaurant at the Chappaqua Metro-North train station.
Veteran chef Lesley Sutter appeared before the New Castle Town Board to pitch plans for the establishment, which would be called Sutter’s Track 32. Plans for the proposed restaurant show 60 seats inside the 110-year-old building with an additional 12 to 30 chairs for outside dining during the appropriate seasons.
The building, which is owned by the town, has been largely empty since Metro-North vacated the structure when it switched from ticket sellers to ticket machines at most of its stations, although there has been a morning cafe. There are public restrooms inside the building, which will remain open to the public as well as to diners after the restaurant’s opening.
Sutter, who has worked in the culinary field for 25 years, was the chef during The Flying Pig’s run at the Mount Kisco train station from 2000 to 2006 before moving over with its owners to Lexington Avenue. The restaurant went out of business last December.
She said her experiences working under what should be similar conditions would be a positive.
“At least we know what it’s like to be at a train station and how to operate a business out of one,” said Sutter, who will have various partners in the venture.
Mount Kisco resident Cheryl Bernstein, a longtime fan of The Flying Pig who helped Sutter with her May 15 presentation before the town board, said there would be similarities in the menu offerings. The emphasis will be on seasonal farm fresh products to use in the preparation of chicken, fish, beef or pork and vegetable dishes. Menus would change based on the availability of products.
The restaurant would open for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and operate until 9 p.m. on weekdays. A brunch would be served on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. A morning cafe for commuters would also be open from 4 to 11 a.m.
If Sutter and her partners can receive the necessary approvals, she hopes it could open before the end of summer. It is estimated the interior work would take a few weeks to complete.
“We believe we are providing the community with a healthy food alternative,” Bernstein said. “We think it’s an idea that the community will embrace.”
Project architect Wally Toscano said minimal work is needed to make the structure ready for the restaurant, and none to the exterior of the building, which has landmark status.
“In a word, we’re going to do as little as possible to redo the space,” Toscano said.
One of the most significant changes will be to the area around the old ticket booth, with plans calling for it to be converted into an oyster bar. The air-conditioning system would have to be expanded, he said.
Supervisor Susan Carpenter said she was hopeful that the town and the applicant could reach a lease agreement. If the restaurant would open, it would be a welcome addition to Chappaqua and could help make the downtown a destination. Last week, Carpenter said she was uncertain if there were any regulatory approvals that must be obtained by Sutter and her partners from the town.
Bernstein said since it’s municipal property, Sutter would only have to work with town officials, not Metro-North. There are no plans to encroach on MTA property, she said.
Bernstein estimated that the restaurant would need between 20 and 30 parking spaces but with metered parking in close proximity, there should be sufficient spots for customers.
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