Pawling will soon welcome Cornerstone, a new full service restaurant dedicated to the agricultural richness, traditions, and people of the Hudson Valley. Located at 146 East Main Street, Cornerstone represents a collaboration between Chef Harris Mayer and the Tomassetti family, Pawling residents who rebuilt the two-story property from the ground up.
Cornerstone’s menu begins with the region’s own agricultural landscape, quite literally. While many restaurants source from the Hudson Valley, Chef Mayer and the Tomassetti family chose to bring their restaurant into the heart of it, building Cornerstone among the very farms that inspire its cooking. The result is refined American cuisine with select Italian dishes inspired by the Tomassetti family’s Abruzzese roots, shaped by Mayer’s years in New York City kitchens and grounded in the abundance of the surrounding countryside. Ingredients are sourced on a rotating, seasonal basis from local producers such as Obercreek, Rosenkrans, Dykman, Ronnybrook and more, with menus printed daily to reflect what the farms offer at their peak.
Cornerstone’s beverage program mirrors the restaurant’s commitment to regional abundance, with roughly 60 percent of the list sourced from within New York State. Wines, ciders, beers, and spirits from across the Hudson Valley and upstate New York form the backbone of the program, showcasing the depth and character of the region’s producers. The wine list is anchored in New York and American selections, complemented by bottles from classic international regions and a small collection of celebratory Champagnes. Guests will also find a Montepulciano that nods to the Tomassetti family’s heritage, with plans to expand this selection, along with a handful of familiar favorites such as Napa Cabernet and Burgundy Pinot Noir for those who prefer timeless benchmarks.
The cocktail menu highlights local distilleries and bright, seasonal flavors. Standouts include Rosemarie’s Old Fashioned, made with Barrel House 6 Distillery “Brothers’ 1910” bourbon (the distillery is owned by a Tomassetti family member), Okinawan black sugar, local bitters, and flamed orange; the Black Dirt Manhattan with Black Dirt 3-year rye, sweet vermouth, and local bitters; and the Pawlmetto, featuring Albany Distilling Company rum, sweet vermouth, vanilla bitters, and local berries. A selection of mocktails and non-alcoholic beers rounds out the program.
Chef Mayer brings years of experience from restaurants including Five Points, Hundred Acres, Creamline and Pulkie’s BBQ. Now living in the Hudson Valley with his family, Cornerstone is his first Hudson Valley restaurant after years spent cooking in New York City. “After cooking in New York City for years, it feels meaningful for my first opening in the Hudson Valley to be one that is so deeply connected to the farms, producers, and community here,” says Mayer. “This region is home for me, and Cornerstone is a chance to tell that story through food.”
The Tomassetti family, who own Cornerstone and call Pawling home, have guided the project from its inception and are proud to contribute to the village’s broader revitalization. “We wanted to create a place where our family, friends, and neighbors could gather around the table,” says the Tomassetti family. “Cornerstone is our way of giving something meaningful to the community we’re grateful to be part of.”
The restaurant spans two newly built floors designed and constructed by the Tomassetti family. The main level offers 86 seats across the dining room and bar, centered around a semi-open kitchen and a wood-burning pizza oven with a rounded dome clad in penny tiles. The wall behind the oven, along with the kitchen itself, is finished in crisp white tile. Dark wood, a stone fireplace, and wood flooring adds warmth, while high ceilings with exposed ductwork and deep gray walls lend an industrial modern character. Upstairs, a dedicated private event space seats up to 100 guests for weddings, banquets, celebrations, and private dinners. Across both floors, the design balances clean, contemporary lines with rustic materials that reflect Cornerstone’s Hudson Valley roots.
Cornerstone is located at 146 East Main Street in Pawling, NY. The restaurant will be open for dinner Wednesday through Friday, from 5 to 10PM, Saturday and Sunday, from 4 to 10PM, and closed on Monday and Tuesday. Sunday brunch service will be added down the road. The restaurant accepts both reservations (via Resy) and walk-ins and offers takeout. Cash and major credit cards are accepted. Cornerstone is fully handicap accessible and offers vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. For more information, call 845-493-0049, email info@cornerstonepawling.com, visit www.cornerstonepawling.com or follow Cornerstone on Instagram (@cornerstonepawling).