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PELHAM, N.Y. Manny Lozano has been the head chef at Bistro Rollin' on Fifth Avenue since it opened in 2009. The leader of the French restaurants kitchen expresses a passion with each dish he and his staff create.
"It's a labor of love here," Lozano said. "I think that just comes through. People see the hard work and everyone is invested."
Husband and wife Arthur and Barbara Bratone opened the restaurant with their son, Paul. They celebrated the second anniversary of its existence in June.
Barbara Bratone led a non-profit organization before they opened the bistro, while her husband ran an international business that distributed construction equipment. Bratone said she and her husband decided to start the business after their other careers had ended.
"We failed retirement," Bratone said. "Our most memorable experiences have been dining out with friends and family. We wanted to recreate that for other people."
While Pelham has no shortage of restaurants, the Bratones realized the town had none that specialize in French cuisine. The couple has worked in France and has a strong knowledge of French food. They identified a niche in the market, researched thoroughly and decided to open Bistro Rollin'.
The restaurant's popularity has spread to include customers from New Rochelle, Riverdale and Larchmont. Bratone said on some nights, five or six tables will be filled with residents of one town who greet and chat with each other.
Though the restaurant exudes an upscale ambiance, Bratone said the owners make a conscious effort to dress down the restaurant. Children have dined at Bistro Rollin' in tennis clothes or just after participating in a sport.
"We try to bring a comfortable, casual bistro feel," Bratone said. "It's not fine dining, although the food is."
Have you dined at Bistro Rollin'? Do you know the Bratones? Comment below, on Facebook or Twitter @DailyPelham.
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