Next time you’re walking through the Hastings or Irvington farmer’s markets, you may want to look for this face. Pay attention to what he picks up, because you’re rubbing elbows with a New York Times rated-chef (rated “worth it” during his stint as executive chef at Butterfield 8).
He may be the new chef at the recently renovated Mansion on Broadway in White Plains, but don’t expect any frills from Matthew Safarowic. He certainly didn’t run a comb through his hair or press his chef’s jacket before my visit, but that’s not what I expect. Chef Safarowic gave me Chef Safarowic, putting his time and effort into where it counts… on the plate. “It’s not a beauty competition (he says, unprompted). It’s about the food. Television has glorified this job. But you have to work hard. ”
A juxtaposition, perhaps, as he continues to describe his kitchen as a playground; a place where he goes to have fun.
Chef Safarowic undoubtably dabbles in both work and play in the kitchen and it more than shows. Previously working for The Cookery’s Chef David DiBari, he’s certainly accustomed to both the culinary and showmanship demands on a chef, especially in this area. When it comes to food, Chef Safarowic keeps it simple, sticking to northern Italian cuisine. But he knows where to place emphasis—cooking a crispy , lightly-seasoned salmon with polenta and wild mushrooms, while we chat in his kitchen.
The addition of a permanent chef was just one piece of the Mansion’s new makeover; the white building on Broadway received a major facelift from relatively new owner Michael Pasqualini.
With a cigar room-like feel in the cocktail area (oversized marble tabletops with leather seating) to the sparkle of crystal chandeliers, Mansion shouts “special events venue.” (Think picture-perfect wedding scene in all those romance movies where the bride pauses at the top of a beautiful staircase, then slide your face over the actress’ and make your grand entrance…)
Although they are more than willing to put together a custom menu for your special event, both the chef and owner have more than just weddings and bat-mitzvahs in mind for the space. On “off” evenings, they are looking to host dinner parties, prix-fixe menus and wine tastings, perhaps featuring items from Safarowic’s “Bible”—a stained, yellow notepad full of his best recipes disguised as chicken scratch.
{Mansion on Broadway: 139 North Broadway, North White Plains, 914-949-1492, mansiononbroadway.com}
