New Castle, Via Vanti! Closing in on Deal at Chappaqua Train Station
New Castle officials and the owner of Mount Kisco’s Via Vanti! are working toward an agreement to house the restaurant’s second location at the Chappaqua train station building once the town completes needed enhancements to the structure.
The town board approved a $122,660 bid to Meli Contracting Co., Inc. of Long Island City, Queens, last Tuesday night to shore up the foundation of the 111-year-old building, said Town Administrator Penny Paderewski. The contract for the work was awarded to Meli after a second company withdrew its proposal.
Paderewski said the town anticipated that the work could be completed by the end of September, which could then allow for the future operator to begin interior modifications to open a restaurant. The board has been interested in bringing a restaurant to the site and has focused on Via Vanti! as the most likely possibility at this point, she said.
Via Vanti! owner Carla Gambescia said that she and the town are currently in the midst of negotiating a lease agreement for the space. While there is no agreement in place yet, she said the prospects are promising.
“It’s not a done deal but we’re negotiating,” said Gambescia, a Chappaqua resident. “There are a couple of possible impediments but we’re hopeful.”
Gambescia opened her current restaurant about five years ago at the Mount Kisco train station, featuring Italian cuisine. It is also known for its extensive gelato offerings.
In a presentation last February before the town board, the restaurateur said there would be similar Italian fare in Chappaqua, but it would be small-plate offerings rather than full-plate entrees because her staff would only have access to equipment powered by electricity rather than gas. Since the establishment would only serve small plates, its name would be Via Vanti Piccolo, Gambescia said.
A mozzarella bar would also be available to diners along with small glasses of wine. To satisfy the commuter crowd, there would be coffee and baked goods available in the morning, Gambescia said during her presentation earlier this year.
She estimated it would take 10 to 12 weeks to get the space ready.
Gambescia said if she and the town’s representatives can come to an agreement, she would look forward to serving her home community.
“Assuming everything works out, we’re looking forward to it and I’d be really excited to be there,” she said.
The same night the board heard from Gambescia, it also listened to a presentation from the proprietors of a natural cafe, which pitched healthy and sustainable food choices. However, the partners involved in that venture explored other options elsewhere, Paderewski said.
Challenges for any operation at the site are heightened because the structure is a local landmark. Alterations to the exterior of the town-owned building are prohibited. There is currently morning food service offered to commuters. The building needed to be repurposed once Metro-North went to ticket machines.
Last year town officials heard a proposal from the former chef of the Flying Pig, who had hoped to open a restaurant similar to the popular but now-shuttered Mount Kisco eatery. However, the plan fell through a few months later when the limitations in the kitchen forced abandonment of the proposal.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/
