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BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. After John Chambal's teenage children got back from a trip to France last year, they came up with a concept for their father's new restaurant: an ecologically-sound eatery that sells crepes and ice cream.
Chambal, 48, the former owner of Custom Cuisine gourmet restaurant in Tarrytown, opened up his new venture, Good Food, at 1205 Pleasantville Road, last week. Ingredients for his crepes come from DanMel's Family Farm in Cortlandt Manor, and his all-natural, homemade ice cream comes from Jane's Ice Cream in Kingston.
"Everyone is very excited about a new place in town," Chambal said. "I think people in Briarcliff are ecologically aware so it works for the concept we're going for."
Ecologically-sound touches include compostable utensils, cups and salad containers that are made out of corn, and a menu that varies depending on what produce is available fresh that day.
"It's very exciting that we're finally open and we've gotten a very warm response from the community," said Chambal, who lives in Pocantico Hills.
The Good Food menu includes sweet and savory crepes for $9 - $10, salads for $5 - $8, hot and cold soups for $5, and ice cream for $4.
On Monday, the savory menu featured a crepe stuffed with mushroom, smoked eggplant, spinach and Swiss cheese; a crepe with smoked salmon, greens and a scallion sauce; a crepe with Asian pork, peppers and bok choy and organic salads that could be ordered with grilled chicken, lentil salad, quinoa salad or cous cous.
Chambal has a long resume of cooking experience prior to opening up Good Food.
"Every job I've ever had since eighth grade has involved cooking," he said.
Chambal began by washing dishes and cooking for his uncle's restaurant, the Tarrytown Boat Club. He then worked as a chef for various places, including Terra Italian restaurant in Greenwich, CT, and the Millwood Country Club.
Chambal said he sold his first restaurant venture, Custom Cuisine, five years ago because he got a good offer from a buyer.
It took about a year to find a suitable location for Good Food, Chambal said. The Pleasantville Road location used to be The Empanada House owned by Iris and Juan Gutierrez.
Chambal is planning on having a grand opening for his restaurant in September, after his restaurant's sign gets put up and after he and his family take their annual sailing vacation in Maine.
Good Food is open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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