Month: December 2019

OKO: Japanese inspired cuisine from award winning Chef Brian Lewis opening in Rye

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Celebrated chef and Westchester native, Brian Lewis is opening a new restaurant in Rye.  OKO , featuring Japanese inspired cuisine and Nigiri sushi , is set to open in  at 29 Purchase Street in Rye on  Wednesday December 18, 2019.  The opening of OKO is a welcome addition to the vibrant Rye dining scene.

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Chef Lewis has two other restaurants, The Cottage and OKO, both located in Westport. His restaurants in Westport have received the coveted “Excellent” rating from the New York Times. Lewis was also honored in 2018 as a semi-finalist for the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef: Northeast in 2018.  He first received national recognition as the opening Executive Chef of actor Richard Gere’s The Bedford Post Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property that featured two destination restaurants, The Barn and The Farmhouse.

 

Named in honor of okonomiyaki, or “OKO,” is  a savory pancake filled with seasonally-inspired ingredients.  Lewis first introduced this Japanese inspired dish to the menu at The Cottage several years back.

 

We were excited to attend a media only event to experience the new venue and its exciting menu.  The food  at OKO includes several styles of Japanese-influenced cuisine, including Sushi Nigiri, Sashimi and Temaki (hand rolls), as well as vegetable tempura, seasonally inspired salads and vegetable dishes, okonomiyaki, homemade tofu, hand-cut soba, Bento Boxes and meat dishes from the tepinyaki grill.  A traditional Omakase menu will also be available at the Chef’s Table, offering a spontaneous, multi-course menu of the chef’s choosing, as well as a “Chef’s Selection” offering of Nigiri Sushi, Sashimi or Chirashi Sashimi.   We can report the food presentation at the event was delightful and tasted delicious.

OKO has a full bar with Sake available by bottle and tap, American, Euro and Japanese beer, as well as matcha and wine.  Interesting and innovative cocktails are available and we sampled the flavorful Ginger Ninja.

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The restaurant accepts reservations via OpenTable.com, or by contacting the restaurant at 914-481-8660.

For more information

www.okokitchen.com.

OKO
29 Purchase Street Rye New York

 

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The Marvelous Wonderettes: the off Broadway hit now at the Ridgefield Theater Barn

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The fun musical comedy “The Marvelous  Wonderettes” is now on stage at the Ridgefield Theater Barn.  The musical which was written and created by Roger Bean first opened off Broadway in 2008 and was revived in 2016 and has been produced in cities all over the U.S. and in Canada.   The  show uses  well known pop songs from the 1950s and 1960s as a way to tell its story.  The songs are recognizable pop hits from that era to which the audience can easily relate.

Act One takes place in 1958 where we meet our cast, Cindy Lou, Missy,Betty Jean and Suzy.  At the last moment they are called upon to perform at their senior prom as a replacement. The girls save the day and entertain their classmates in four-part harmony.  The songs are fun, light and instantly recognizable as the girls deliver their own versions of “Mr. Sandman”, “Lollipop”, “Sugartime”, “Dream Lover” “Stupid Cupid” and many more.   The play becomes interactive as the audience themselves is asked to pick the prom queen and ballots are collected from audience members.  Costume design by Brenda D. Renfroe really capture clothing style of the period.

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Act Two is 10 years later in 1968 and the world of the Marvelous Wonderettes has changed.  They are back at their high school for their reunion.  Though the girls are back on stage we find their relationship to each other has changed over the years.  Again the cast entertains the reunion with a list of 1960s classic hits including “Heatwave”, “It’s In His Kiss”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, “Leader of the Pack” and more.  The songs are woven into the story and help tell the tale.

The show is fun and light hearted and entertained the audience without a slow moment. The talented cast includes  Rena Gavigan (Missy), Sarah Giggar (Cindy Lou), Lauren Nicole Sherwood (Suzy), and Tarah Margaret Vega (Betty Jean).  Music is live and provided by a band on stage including Benjamin McCormack (musical director), Nathan Huvard, Sabrina Mason, Jordan Tulley, and Kyle Camerato.    The production is directed by Foster Evans Reese who starred in “Fences” at the Barn back in 2018.

The production runs through January 4, 2020.  The Barn is an intimate small setting and the audience sits at tables.  Doors open at  6 and attendees can bring their own food and drink to enjoy prior to showtime.  A small bar is also open in the theater lobby.

for tickets and information:

https://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org/

Ridgefield Theater Barn

37 Halpin Lane
Ridgefield CT 06877

For information, call 203.431.9850

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