'Local' Brings Ice Cream and More to Chappaqua

Tables filled rapidly on a hot Wednesday, on the first day of business at Local, Chappaqua’s newest food venue.

In this establishment, sustainability is the modus operandi. Ingredients are from local vendors, take-out containers are compostable and kitchen waste is added to the compost pile. Even the sign in the window - fabricated from a 400 year old maple tree that fell on contractor Sandy Bueti’s property on Crow Hill Road - is green.

Owner Adam Strahl, a musician by trade, has been in the restaurant industry for the past 30 years. After his most recent gig at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, he decided to focus on a key ingredient which he found lacking in Chappaqua: ice cream.

Strahl also has unique ingredients in his product. The mint lace and ginger creme brulée flavors are not found in ordinary ice creams; these are from Ronnybrook Farm in Ancramdale, NY.

Due to the fresh, organic ingredients, Strahl maintains that having “a hot fudge sundae would be a much more nutritious meal than going to McDonald’s for a Big Mac and fries.”

Customers were ecstatic.

“Extremely fresh ingredients,” Leslie Kuhn said in giving her take on her first meal at Local.  

“It’s a wonderful menu,” said Marissa Greenfeld. “Great prices.”  

Family friendly is an apt description of Local. High chairs galore, books and farm animal toys scored big with the younger set. Lori Wilken kept her son, Maxwell, entertained by reading to him while he munched on an organic hot dog. In keeping with Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity campaign, the kool kids meal - designed with input from Strahl’s boys, Van and Nico - is served with fruit and carrots. Peanut butter may be combined with banana, chocolate or the traditional jelly.

Another item high on Strahl’s list of priorities is that of providing “a community gathering place.” With indie rock tunes playing, sundaes named Nirvana, Oasis, and Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, and cheap food, he has also created a safe place for teens to hang out in - a much discussed but never fully realized concept in town.

Local is located at 75 S. Greeley Ave. Click here for its Facebook profile.