March 14, 2008
by Susie Pender
Giona’s back! Giona’s back! His toque has been spotted in the kitchen at Lyla’s Cafe in downtown Chappaqua. As most hungry New Castle residents know, Giona Stanco closed his eponymous Italian café and takeout store on Christmas Eve, 2005 due to the rising cost of rental space on King Street.
He has now reappeared across the street at Lyla’s and is introducing an international tapas menu that will include flavors and dishes from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Asia. “I’m glad to be back,” he grinned from behind the glass counter at Lyla’s. “I’m excited to be doing these new menus and developing this new direction for business.”
A place to hang out
In an attempt to distinguish themselves from the other eat-in or takeout eateries in town, Lyla’s offers “healthy food, diversity and, well, fun,” Giona boasted. Foods will be grilled, oven-roasted or pan-seared, not fried, with lots of vegetable offerings. Besides eating (and drinking, when the cafe gets its liquor license, which is in the works), patrons can stroll about the café admiring the work of local artists. Currently, the photographs by Debbie Miracolo and Kendra Eager are on display. “We want people to come and enjoy themselves and feel relaxed in a casual atmosphere,” manager Wendy Egan explained.
The difference will be most noticeable on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights when the café will serve tapas from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Right now, patrons are encouraged to bring their own wine to enjoy with the tapas. When its liquor license is approved, the café plans to highlight wines from Portugal, a nod to the ancestry of the café’s new owners, Joe and Victor Lobo.
First tapas party a resounding success
On Saturday March 2, Chef Giona, Egan and the Lobos invited the community to their first tapas party. NewCastleNOW.org was there, and we sampled everything. From the cold curried chicken fruit terrine served on sweet potato chips to the warm Chourico Portuguese sausage and baby onions served on a skewer with cream chipotle sauce, the offerings were diverse and delicious.
Currently the tapas menu includes eight chilled tapas and 11 hot tapas ranging in price from $6.00 to $10.00. There are a few classic entrées served at night for the tapas-challenged: filet mignon, pan seared Norwegian cod and paella, as well as a pasta dish for children, entrée salads and filled crepes.
Lunch hour at Lyla’s
The new tapas menu is reserved for evenings only, but Lyla’s lunch offerings have diversified as well. “Everyday we will have six to eight different soups, as well as salads, sweet and savory crepes and homemade desserts. We also have a salad bar,” recited the manager.
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