Food Network 'Chopped' Chef is leading the kitchen at new Rockland restaurant

Add another "Chopped" chef to the Rockland County dining scene.

Most know Chef Chris Holland of Kantina in Sparkill — he won "Chopped" three times, twice in 2017 and once in 2019, and has been on assorted other Food Network shows. Now, there's Executive Chef Gregory Stott, a semi-finalist of "Chopped," who's heading the kitchen at The Dining Room in Blauvelt.

The refined, eclectic 65-seat space, serving New American cuisine, quietly opened Dec. 20, 2023. It's owned by Paul Bailey, who also owns Bailey’s Smokehouse in Blauvelt, Bailey’s New City and Nanuet Restaurant in Nanuet. Baily, who was looking to open something more intimate than his other properties, was introduced to Chef Stott by a mutual friend. "We hit it off immediately," he said. "And talked for hours about our shared love of food and passion for the hospitality business."

That love and passion has now been brought to The Dining Room which is all about made-by-hand dishes and a large glass window where diners can watch Chef Stott and his team in action.

Stott, who specializes in New American, Northern Italian and French fine-dining cuisine, honed his culinary prowess at some of the area’s premiere dining establishments, including at Café des Artistes, L’Impero, and Alto, in New York City, and Café Panache in Ramsey, New Jersey. At The Dining Room, he said he's not married to a single style of cuisine, which can get one dimensional after a while.

"This allows me the freedom to roll fresh pasta one day and make lobster spring rolls the next," he said. "Our menu changes two or three times weekly, depending on seasonal availability and whatlooks best at the market, giving guests the opportunity to dine with us multiple times a week, and expect something different from the last visit.

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"What is consistent though, is the quality of our ingredients and dishes. Everything is housemade always, from our pastas and sauces, to our stocks and desserts.”

Standouts from recent menus include French Onion Soup, a 48-hour beef stock with gruyere, sherry, and garlic croutons; Bao Buns with crispy pork belly, jicama-mango slaw, hoisin aioli, and micro cilantro; Rice-Crusted Ahi Tuna with black rice, baby bok choy and Thai coconut curry and housemade Mint Pappardelle with spicy lamb ragu, fontina fondue, crumbled pistachios, and fennel pollen.

The restaurant is open for weekend brunch and dinner.

If you go

Address: 135 East Erie St., Blauvelt, 845-359-3650, thediningroomny.com

Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, to 10 p.m. Friday. Saturday and Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m; dinner Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m; dinner Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rockland NY restaurant has Food Network 'Chopped' chef in kitchen