DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. Having opened an eatery called the "Dobbs Ferry Restaurant" in San Francisco in November, Scott Broccoli, who grew up in the village, said he takes pride in bringing his roots all the way out to California.
Ive been in California for 12 years, he said. People ask where Im from, I dont say Im from New York or Westchester, Im from Dobbs Ferry.
Broccoli, who graduated from Dobbs Ferry High School in 1992, moved to San Francisco 12 years ago to try out a different lifestyle.
Its just one of those things I figured Ill come out here for a year and check it out and before you know it, its been 12, he said.
Broccoli opened the Dobbs Ferry Restaurant with his partner Danny Sterling to go along with his other two places in town, Ace's and The Pub at Ghiradelli Square. Even though the restaurant is on the other side of the country, Broccoli said Westchester transplants are commonplace.
I had 100 Giants fans every Sunday for the football games and obviously for the playoff games it doubled and tripled, he said. It was absolute mayhem.
Having grown up in Dobbs Ferry and working as a bartender at local restaurants such as Doubledays, Broccoli has had an intimate view of the business over the years.
Its in my blood, he said. Its one of those things I grew up in it, thats always how I made money.
While working as a bartender and other positions in the restaurant business was fun, Broccoli said he knew the only way to make any more money was to become an owner.
Its not glamorous, theres nothing sexy about the business, he said. I dont care what you do. If youre Mick Jagger and you get on stage every night after a while its a job. Work is work.
Coming up with the name for the new restaurant, Broccoli said he just wanted to add a little touch of home to the west coast.
Its just the stuff you miss from home, he said. I wanted to have it look personalized and kind of tied in, its the stuff I grew up with. Thats where Im from.
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