Roost Restaurant in Sparkill

Like that babysitter who always comes through when you call her with spontaneous Saturday night plans or that secret stash of chocolate you have hidden away in the pantry, some things in life are so good they almost break your heart to share them with the rest of the world. And after our recent visit to Roost, it seems we’ve got another hidden gem to add to that list.

Located just over the Bergen border in the sleepy town of Sparkill, New York, this laid-back dining spot has so much small-town charm and gives off such a warm and welcoming vibe, we almost hate to rave about how much we enjoyed our visit, lest we can’t snag a table the next time we drop in. Quite frankly, dining here feels a lot like breaking bread with an old friend. Chef Kevin Reilly, formerly of Café Barcel in Nyack (which we also adored) has created the coziest of spaces with his first solo venture- read intimate, candle-lit dining tables, rustic hardwood floors, simple décor, and an inviting bar area, where commuters are encouraged to relax with a glass of vino (the wine list is beyond) or one of Roost’s ridiculously good specialty cocktails.

Then there’s the food. Featuring a straight menu—no courses!—of sumptuous seasonal dishes, Reilly peppers classic American fare with hints of Spanish and Mediterranean influences, creating flavors that are at the same time familiar yet fresh. We started with the Caesar wedge salad with rosemary croutons and Parmesan frico ($14) and roasted cauliflower sprinkled with pistachios, golden raisins, capers, and garlic ($7) before diving into our entrees: fresh fettuccine topped with a generous portion of lobster and cherry tomatoes (one of the nightly specials) and char-grilled strip steak with chimmichurri butter and greens ($28). We loved them both so much, we figured why stop there—bring on dessert! A batch of house-made donuts with vanilla and chocolate dipping sauces and a slice of blueberry pie (courtesy of Pie Lady & Son in Upper Nyack) later and we were ready to give our compliments to the chef. Too bad he beat us to the punch and actually stopped by our table to thank us for stopping by.

With treatment like that, you can bet we’ll be coming home to Roost again real soon.

Roost
623 Main St., Sparkill, New York
Reservations recommended, 845-359-6700
Dinner: Weekdays, 5:00pm-10pm;
Friday & Saturday, 5:00pm-10:30pm; Sunday, 5:00pm-9:00pm.
Sunday Brunch: 11:30am-2:30pm;