Pleasantville Village Archives

The local restaurants where we dine are often the most memorable because of the delicious meals and the memories created there over the years. Pleasantville has many restaurants and is growing as a “foodie destination” for locals and visitors alike, but three stand out as having stood the test of time with quality food, welcoming ambience, and the people with whom we share those meals. After speaking with the owners of La Riviera, Jean-Jacques, and Foley’s, there is no doubt why people continue to return from one generation to the next.

Foley’s

For nearly a century and a half, people have gathered here to share a meal, raise a glass, celebrate, and catch up with neighbors. Though the establishment has evolved through many owners, names, and incarnations since first opening in 1883, its purpose has remained remarkably unchanged: bringing the community together and remaining a local watering hole.

Beginning as a bar with an adjacent grocery store, it was originally twice its current size. It offered “apartments” above the bar, but they were primarily used for very temporary occupancy, which you are free to interpret as you wish. During Prohibition it operated as a luncheonette known as the Lunch Wagon, as well as a speakeasy largely left alone by local law enforcement. After Prohibition in 1933, It became O’Gorman’s Bar before becoming Foley’s in 1954. Anthony Amato, current owner, paid extra for the rights to keep the Foley’s name. It is one of the oldest watering holes in Westchester County, reportedly being one of three, that remain in operation in the same building.

Over the years, Foley’s has welcomed its share of notable patrons, including members of the New York Giants, who frequented the establishment in the 1970s and 1980s while practicing at the nearby Pace University playing fields. Today, Foley’s continues to attract new regulars while remaining a favorite among those who have been pulling up a barstool for decades. It has stayed true to its dive bar charm–a place where neighbors and newcomers alike gather to watch the game, share a drink, and enjoy good conversation.

Being a vital part of the Pleasantville community is especially important to Anthony; a longtime Village resident whose children attend Pleasantville schools. That commitment extends well beyond the walls of the restaurant. Foley’s actively supports numerous local charities and community organizations, and giving back remains a priority that continues to grow alongside its connection to the community it has served for generations.

As Pleasantville continues to grow with new residential developments and an expanding restaurant scene, it is increasingly earning a reputation as a destination for food lovers. Yet amid that evolution, Foley’s remains rooted in what has always mattered most. “Food is comfort,” Amato said, “and Foley’s has the food and atmosphere people have come to know and love.”

Looking ahead, Anthony envisions Foley’s continuing to be a warm, welcoming place where everyone feels at home–regardless of economic status, ethnicity, cultural background, political views, or any other differences. In a community that continues to evolve, Foley’s hopes to remain what it has been for generations: a place where good food, good company, and a sense of belonging are always on the menu.

Jean-Jacques

What began as a simple storefront focused on catering, Jean-Jacques was located in Ossining across from the Arcadia Plaza from 1989-2001. Their catered food was so popular, customers kept urging him to open a store, so in 1995 he opened a store in Millwood, and a year later another in Croton. In 2007, he found its current Pleasantville location. The building had been the home to Vinny’s Pizza for many years before sitting vacant. He condensed from three stores to a single larger one and continued to grow from there. The original bar section was closed to make that space a rentable one for private parties and events.

Over the years the catering side of the business continued to thrive, and Jean-Jacques has catered events for many celebrities, including presidents. The event room was constantly booked, with two parties on both Saturdays and Sundays. Their bakery half of the building was thriving as well. Off-site catering included events of up to 1,000 people. In 2009, when the economy changed, there were fewer events, but their loyal customer base from all three earlier locations remained.

Many of the core staff from the original Ossining location are still with Jean-Jacques, creating a family atmosphere that extends to their customers. Building lasting relationships has always been a priority, going beyond simple greetings to truly knowing the people who walk through the door. Patty Irwin, the current manager, has been with Jean-Jacques for nearly 20 years and has watched generations of families grow up–from a customer she first knew as an expectant mother whose daughter is now in college, to a loyal patron who visited regularly from age 90 until his passing at 108. Today, his daughter, now in her 80s, continues the tradition.

That loyalty is built on consistency. Fresh food is prepared daily, with oven-baked meats sliced for their signature cold-cut sandwiches rather than processed deli meats. Their quiche has earned a devoted following, and their cakes have become legendary. In fact, customers planning parties have joked that if they don’t serve a Jean-Jacques cake, their friends might not show up.

Jean-Jacques is also deeply rooted within the Pleasantville community, regularly supporting the Jacob Burns Film Center, and partnering with J.A. Henkel and Zwilling cooking studio for cooking classes, as well as the Pleasantville Farmers Market from demonstrations. Pleasantville has become a food destination town with many new restaurants opening. While their customers may explore new places, they remain loyal. Jean-Jacques continues to evolve while remaining true to its roots. In 2023, the restaurant redesigned and expanded its party room, adding a new bar. When the space reopened in 2025, it featured live music, updated menu boards, and an enlarged outdoor patio, creating even more opportunities for the community to gather.

Irwin hopes future generations will continue to make memories at Jean-Jacques, just as so many families have for decades. Even customers who have moved away return asking, “Do you still have those almond croissants?” or another favorite menu item. It’s a testament to the lasting connection people have not only to the food, but to the memories made around the table.

La Riviera

Known for its family friendly, multi-generational patrons, La Riviera opened in 1989 by Tom Riviera, formerly a chef at Marina Del Ray in the Bronx and Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. He developed a menu based on fresh ingredients and simple recipes, from their homemade breadcrumbs to mouth-watering Italian cheesecake made with ricotta cheese, and everything in between.

Sarah Poyet, the new owner, is learning from the loyal customer base, continues to learn about the restaurant’s history from older patrons who recall its earlier iterations. Beginning around the mid-60’s it opened as Vincenzo’s, or Vinnie’s as it was more well known. Operating as a pizzeria/eatery, it was a popular neighborhood hangout. Around the mid-70’s it became a golf-themed tavern/restaurant, trying to capture a sports bar or country club vibe before opening as the Rusty Mariner, which focused on a nautical theme, serving fresh fish and seafood dishes until Tom Riviera took over in the late 80’s.

The current chef, Rudy Costa, was Tom’s sous chef and is well familiar with the recipes Tom developed along with his own culinary talents, and is adding summer specials to the menu, such as sole. Using products from Italy and continuing to use the freshest ingredients, patrons continue to come back over years, celebrating birthdays, communions, graduations, and other life events. Their fond memories of gathering around the table together in the same place continues to solidify their patronage.

As the village of Pleasantville developed around it, some people may find the location, at the corner of Tompkins Avenue, a side street right off Bedford Road and not in the central village, a little off the beaten path. Going back to its roots, there used to be a farmer’s market across the street so there was no shortage of people’s awareness that it was there.

Like all restaurants, Poyet has weathered her share of challenges, from the pandemic to the everyday realities of running a small business. She recounts, “Bringing a legacy business that needs to be adapted to the 21st century while preserving the best of what Tom built and carefully improving upon that is not easy. There was no transition plan in the original vision of the restaurant.” Doing a gut renovation would remove the timeless history, so after a deep clean, the focus was on repairing and refurbishing what was needed and adding lighter and ventilation. The result combined its original essence with an updated look. Of course, some of the old artifacts remain, such as the phone booth, which is now a linen closet but has the original signage and look.

While sharing a meal is a tradition common to cultures around the world, it has long been a defining part of Italian family life. With deep Italian American roots in Pleasantville and neighboring communities, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat. Woven into the fabric of the town’s history, it maintains its place not only as a local landmark, but as a place where generations continue to gather around the table.