Spanish Eatery Shifts Gears For Rosh Hashanah

CHAPPAQUA, NY — The restaurant that transformed its staff into the "Hunger Squad" as the coronavirus outbreak exploded in Westchester County has innovated yet again.

Ibiza Kitchen in Chappaqua began offering free meals on Fridays in March to anyone who needed a meal, as they kept the business going and the staff employed with take-out only. Then they decided to create a special take-out menu for Passover, and won residents' hearts.

"Our customers said we make the best gefilte fish," said Ignacio Blanco, co-owner with Ben Wallace of the King Street eatery.

This month, they created a special-order, take-out Rosh Hashanah dinner. Blanco and the staff have enjoyed turning the power of their knowledge of Spanish cooking into learning about and making food for a different ethnic background.

"It’s not too different from what we do," he told Patch. "It’s as authentic as possible. I did research on the recipes. In all of our food, we use the best possible ingredients possible. Good food is good food."

They've been meeting challenges all year. When New York began allowing restaurants to serve customers seated outside and then inside with restrictions, the restaurant adapted again.

"Our customers have been exceptionally loyal and this community has supported us since February," Blanco said.

Now, with many people still preferring to avoid eating inside, the restaurant has equipped itself with heaters for the sidewalk tables.

"Our restaurant has been successful because we love what we do and we are so happy seeing people enjoy what we cook," he said. "It’s even more rewarding when we cook for a holiday. We know it will be served with family and friends at a loving table."

Which brings us back to the gefilte fish. It was such a hit at Passover they decided to make it again.

"It’s extremely labor-intensive to prepare. Fortunately, my culinary team can look at a recipe and make it sing! We found a great recipe and tried it out with some of our Jewish customers. The recipe we selected was hands down, the best," Blanco said.