Love is in the air: Eat at couple-owned restaurants in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam

Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Updated ·6 min read

Could you work with your spouse? Surprisingly — or not — many couples in the dining industry do. From coffee shops to restaurants to jazz clubs, there are a lot in the lower Hudson Valley. More than 70 by my count.

What's the secret?

In true partnership fashion, the answer comes down to respect, meaning each has their own responsibilities while at the same time complimenting each other.

"Restaurants are broken down by divisions in my eyes," said Vittorio Lanni of Lanni's Cucina Verace in Sparkill. His wife Kimberly handles the spirit program and bar duties, as well as the floor reservations and seating chart, while he's in the charge of the kitchen.

"She doesn't question the back of the house and I don’t question the front," he stressed. "Plain and simple."

Owner Floria Uli and chef Gino Uli, the wife and husband team behind Hudson Prime Steakhouse in Irvington and Divino Cucina Italiana in Hastings-on-Hudson. The two have been married 24 years; 18 of which have been in the restaurant business.
Owner Floria Uli and chef Gino Uli, the wife and husband team behind Hudson Prime Steakhouse in Irvington and Divino Cucina Italiana in Hastings-on-Hudson. The two have been married 24 years; 18 of which have been in the restaurant business.

The other secret to success? A fierce passion for the business as both partners have the same goal.

Some, like Christina and Matt Safarowic of Freddy's in Pleasantville and Melanie Lahara-Kenyon and Marc Kenyon of Our Place in Yorktown Heights, even have "meet cute romcom" stories of meeting (and working) at the same restaurant (The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry for the Safarowics and Red Hat on the River in Irvington for the Kenyons).

"When Marc and I began our relationship, we talked about having a place of our own," said Lahara-Kenyon. "Having grown up in the business it was always my dream, and meeting Marc he realized he had that dream too."

That doesn't mean everything's perfect all the time (I wouldn't believe them anyway if they said it was).

"Do we butt heads at certain times under pressure situations?" said Lanni. "Absolutely. But it makes us stronger and better at what we do as a power industry couple and married couple.

"We both need each other to succeed and we both know that. It’s a team effort that makes the restaurant flow smoothly."

More: 12 romantic restaurants in Westchester, Putnam for Valentine's Day

Added Floria Uli who, along with her husband Gino, owns Hudson Prime in Irvington and Divino Cucina Italiana in Hastings-on-Hudson: "These restaurants are more than just businesses for us. They are our livelihood and a part of the legacy that we have built and can pass on to our children."

The two, who have been married 24 years (18 of which have been in the restaurant business) added: "There really is no secret — just love and respect for one another and the passion we share to feed people amazing food."

With Valentine's Day Feb. 14 and love in the air, now's the time to consider frequenting one of these spots. A sampling follows. Read on to find one in your county. Know of one not on our list? Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com.

Husband and wife owners, Paolo Garcia Mendoza and Cheryl Baun, are pictured at their restaurant Karenderya, on Main Street in Nyack, Jan. 16, 2019.
Husband and wife owners, Paolo Garcia Mendoza and Cheryl Baun, are pictured at their restaurant Karenderya, on Main Street in Nyack, Jan. 16, 2019.

Rockland

'Sinful sips' to heart-shaped ravioli: 7 Rockland restaurants ready for Valentine's Day

Cole and Faith Rivers, owners of The Black Cow Coffee Co. in Croton-on-Hudson. The Rivers' are just one of many married couples that work together.
Cole and Faith Rivers, owners of The Black Cow Coffee Co. in Croton-on-Hudson. The Rivers' are just one of many married couples that work together.

Westchester

Dean and Odelya Vivolo, owners of Trattoria Vivolo in Harrison. The restaurant, located in what was a 1940s diner, was recently named one of the best Italian restaurants in the suburbs by Forbes Magazine. Photographed Jan. 11, 2024
Dean and Odelya Vivolo, owners of Trattoria Vivolo in Harrison. The restaurant, located in what was a 1940s diner, was recently named one of the best Italian restaurants in the suburbs by Forbes Magazine. Photographed Jan. 11, 2024
Heather and Scott Fratangelo of L'inzio in Ardsley. They are one of more than 25 married couples working in the restaurant business in Westchester.
Heather and Scott Fratangelo of L'inzio in Ardsley. They are one of more than 25 married couples working in the restaurant business in Westchester.

What's new: Westchester restaurants offer fresh twist on tacos, Thai, fusion

Edgar Carrillo and his wife Norma Cuenca at Coco Taqueria in Sleepy Hollow Sept. 8, 2021.
Edgar Carrillo and his wife Norma Cuenca at Coco Taqueria in Sleepy Hollow Sept. 8, 2021.
Rye Republic Owners Casey and Kaitlin Troutman who met on their first day of culinary school in January 2015 and fell in love. They opened their new Brewster place Nov. 19 where O’Connors Public House had been.
Rye Republic Owners Casey and Kaitlin Troutman who met on their first day of culinary school in January 2015 and fell in love. They opened their new Brewster place Nov. 19 where O’Connors Public House had been.

Putnam

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: Could you work with your spouse? These NY restauranters do