A Successful 'Taste' Brings New Flavor to Buchanan

The tasteful lighting, creatively plated dishes and zebra print curtains at the new Taste restaurant and lounge in Buchanan give the place a sleek look and feel you won’t find nearby in the small village. But people have embraced the new establishment, nestled comfortably on the main stretch of Tate Avenue.

Taste opened at the end of the summer, after a year of delays due to remodeling and business logistics, which kept the community anxious for the opening.

Owners Ronald Campanaro and Alyssa Presta-Campanaro are originally from Yonkers, but both have family in Montrose. Ronald has worked as a chef since he was 13 and has most recently served as the Executive Chef at several high-end restaurants down county.

The couple knew they are taking a risk with a more up-scale restaurant in a small town, but fell in love with the space and knew it was their spot as soon as they found it through a Craigslist ad. They had originally planned to open the restaurant in Danbury, Ct. but that fell through.

The Tate Avenue building was built in the early 1900s and served as a post office for years, Ronald said. Now the current post office is just a block down the street near the village's six-person police department.

 “It is cozy, classy casual,” Alyssa explains. “We are more upscale but affordable. We have $6 appetizers and encourage people to share stuff.”

The New American menu offers dishes like pumpkin ravioli, risotto, charcuterie plates, roasted chicken, chef and owner Ronald’s award winning crab cakes, and other dishes made from fresh local ingredients. And don’t forget the peanut butter and jelly wontons with vanilla ice cream for dessert (see photos).

But the menu may be completely different when you go, as Ronald changes it daily based on seasonal ingredients and feedback. He buys fresh meat, fish and produce from local vendors likeThe portions are not very large, so if you are hungry start out with a few appetizers. It is worth trying more than one.

The Campanaro’s are very dedicated to providing attentive and quality service to their customers. The staff is very professional, friendly and knowledgeable, at their two bosses’ instruction. They live above the restaurant so are always just a second away.

“It is like an extension of our home,” Ronald said, adding that he plans to keep the bar and kitchen open late and be ready to cook for anyone who asks. 

While Ronald cooks his signature dishes in the kitchen, Alyssa greets people at the door and keeps an eye on the dining room.

 “All you can do is your best and have a little luck and take care of people,” Ronald said.

For more information on Taste, check out on Patch.

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