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Health & Fitness

Saint George to Replace Buffet de la Gare in September, 2013

When Harper's opened in Dobbs Ferry in December, 2010, Chris Vergara and Jason Steinberg participated—Vergara as executive chef and partner and Steinberg as a member of the front-of-the-house team. 

Both will be present as co-owners when Saint George opens in Hastings-on-Hudson in September of this year. They will be joined by chef de cuisine Robert Fraser, who was formerly at Cafe Meze in Hartsdale and was sous chef at Meritage Restaurant in Scarsdale (of which Vergara is a co-owner and was a founder in 2004). 

Adieu: Buffet de la Gare

The new French bistro will occupy the same space on Southside Ave. that housed the Goulet family's upscale Buffet de la Gare, established 33 years ago.  

"A strong French aesthetic will be applied to American ingredients," Vergara said. 

He pointed out, "We want to preserve the authentic flavors and charms that made the current restaurant so well loved while tailoring the bistro experience for today's market." The Goulets, he said, have been supportive of the direction that he and Steinberg envision for the restaurant. 

Buffet de la Gare founder Gwenael Goulet lost a long bout with cancer two years ago. His wife Annie and son Gwendal kept the business going until now. But she is retiring to spend more time with her grandchildren.

"We’re longtime admirers of the former owners," Vergara said. "We're lucky they’ve allowed us to build on their legacy.” Steinberg added,"It's humbling to be handed the keys to a restaurant that has been such an icon."  

Bonjour: Saint George

Steinberg said the new restaurant will offer a broader menu having a number of moderately priced entrees. it will have a large-selection raw bar and will stock only French wine—at least ten wines will be offered by the glass. A Happy Hour is planned.

He also said that a mix of wood and marble table tops would be installed and the use of white tablecloth would be eliminated. The mahogany bar believed to be about 120 years old will be retained as will the tin ceiling, tile, wood flooring, mirrors and some decorative items. 

The second-floor dining room which was used only for private parties will now be used for à la carte service as well as private events, Steinberg noted.
 

Gwenael Goulet bought Buffet de la Gare in 1980. In 2005, it was sold to Luc and Nicole Dimnet because of Goulet's illness. But when the business faltered, the Goulets repurchased it from the Dimnets in 2008 and renovated it.

Several months after reopening, the restaurant received lavish praise from The New York Times critic Emily DeNitto who, in a January 9, 2009 review, described it as "an enchanting Old World haven of classic French cuisine" with "revered dishes," and "perfectly seasoned" entrees.

About 40 people can be accommodated at the tables downstairs and the bar has eight stools. Approximately 25 patrons can be seated in the upstairs room.

Initially, Saint George will serve dinner on Tuesday through Sunday. Lunch on Tuesday through Friday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday is planned for introduction at a later date. It will be closed on Mondays. 

Saint George will be open 12 months a year. Under the previous ownership, the bistro closed for the month of August in keeping with French vacation-time tradition.  

Brooklyn-based Nothing Something, which played a role in the planning for Harper's Bar & Restaurant, is providing interior design and branding assistance.

The restaurant is located at 155 Southside Ave. in Hastings-on-Hudson. 

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