The carpenters and electricians working at Red Hat on the River, located close to the water’s edge in Irvington, have it on pace for reopening in mid-December. The downstairs-level wooden floor and the decorative wainscoting (paneled-wood half walls) have been replaced.
“The kitchen was a total loss from the storm but new equipment is on the way,” said Jim Parker, co-proprietor with Mary Beth Dooley. “We took in about four feet of water and had about five-and-half feet of water outside,” he said.
The tile floor in the kitchen survived the watery onslaught and the picturesque bar had only limited damage and was saved.
The second-floor dining area incurred no damage and the ground-level tall glass windows that provide breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades escaped Hurricane Sandy’s wrath intact on October 29, 2012. All of the outdoor patio furniture had been removed for storage well before the storm hit.
Parker said he was especially appreciate of the many e-mails and letters that arrived from well-wishers and was optimistic that the mid-December reopening goal would be met. “We’re going as fast as we can; we would like to reopen as quickly as possible both for our 80 employees and our customers,” he advised.
New menu coming
A new fall menu, placed in use only a few weeks before the storm hit, will be discarded and an updated winter-seasonal version, not yet printed, will be substituted in time for the reopening. An expanded lunch section will introduce a variety of sandwiches and the economically priced Brasserie dinner section of the menu will be enhanced with new dishes. Edward Island mussels, perhaps the restaurant's signature dish (and its most popular), will continue to be served at lunch and dinner.
The Sunday brunch menu will remain unchanged. Brunch service from noon to 3:30 p.m. and live Wednesday jazz from 6 to 10 p.m. will resume at reopening.
The building, considered an architectural treasure, was once the boiler room for the Lord and Burnham factory, built in 1907.
Red Hat on the River is located at 1 Bridge Street in Irvington, New York. The restaurant has bi-level dining and a rooftop cocktail lounge. It is open for lunch Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m.; dinner Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10:30 p.m. On Sunday, its hours are noon to 8 p.m. 914-591-5888; press “0” for reservations. Parking is free. www.redhatbistro.com.
