The Kittle House Inn: Where Community Comes First

The Krase Family invites the community back to The Kittle House Inn. Newly renovated and refreshed, the beloved treasure in Chappaqua is ready to host you for a meal, a drink, an event, or a stay at the inn. “We’re beyond excited to show off the changes to the community and have people back celebrating special life occasions, birthdays, and anniversaries,” says Jackson Krase, Assistant Manager and son of Christie and Scott Krase who bought the inn in 2024. “It’s an amazing feeling. We tried so hard to balance the renovations in terms of keeping the feel of what the Kittle House was, to what it is now. I think we did a really good job at capturing what people liked about the Kittle House, the charm and essence of it, and maybe just giving it a more refreshed, a little bit modern update.”

From intimate dinners to grand celebrations, The Kittle House offers a variety of spaces designed for memorable gatherings of every size. The Tap Room is a welcoming gathering space with its copper ceiling and intricately carved, refurbished antique bar brought over from England by the legendary entertainer Fanny Brice. The Ivy Hill Room offers a comfortable setting overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens. Amy’s Garden has been transformed with a covered outdoor pergola featuring panoramic views. The Wine Tasting Room, with a capacity of 20 guests, is perfect for an intimate dining space with a view of their award-winning wine cellar. The Carriage Room, a newly renovated event space with access to a private patio and garden, holds up to 150 guests.

Travelers can stay in one of the fifteen thoughtfully designed guest rooms across two distinct buildings, the historic Main House and the modern Ivy House. Guest experience includes continental breakfast in the lounge and complimentary wine and charcuterie happy hour featuring daily selections from their wine cellar. Pet-friendly rooms are available. There will be Special Inn Packages for overnight stays this fall.

Along with the new kitchen, the Krase family brought in a new chef, restauranteur Nick Arnerich whom they have known for many years. Arnerich welcomed the opportunity to join them in this meaningful legacy project. He balances the American bistro style menu with classic Kittle House fare that never goes off the menu with some new dishes that have French and Spanish influence. “There’s a historical foundation of dishes here that are awesome and we’ll continue to work them in. And then, we are inspired by the season and the product,” says Arnerich. Krase says that while he is new to the area, Arnerich has developed an incredible rapport with their purveyors and that he’s doing an amazing job. “I think the menu and the food need to reflect all this effort and renovation. We asked him (Arnerich) to look at the menu and balance the old classics, bringing in a new fresh feel.” Guests will recognize many of the staff who have been at the Kittle House for decades. Retaining the staff means a lot to Krase who values their institutional knowledge. “They care about this place and how much it means to the guests–and they know the people!”

Weekly, the Kittle House hosts Saturday Lunch, Sunday Brunch, Lobster Night on Mondays, with lunch during the week coming this fall. Guests enjoy live music in the Tap Room on Thursday evenings. Happy Hours from 4-6PM on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday feature a small plate menu and drink specials.

Many other events planned include the popular Women’s Wednesday Wine Night, the last Wednesday of the month and Thanksgiving dinner. New this fall will be men’s events including whiskey tastings, a Winemaker Dinner series, Private Wine Pairing Dinners, and Family Movie Nights. The fall menu will feature fresh, in-season ingredients.

Longtime locals have high praise. “You drive down the entrance to The Kittle House Inn, and you’re in the country. It’s like arriving at a Relais & Chateau luxury hotel. They did a spectacular job. It’s very elegant and the rooms are fabulous. The attention to detail is amazing,” says Wendy Nolan. “The staff is so welcoming and accommodating to your needs–even Nick the chef! And they are a very nice family that really cares.”

“We’ve always enjoyed Kittle House, and we’re even bigger fans now. It means a lot that many of the staff from the old restaurant have remained. The updates have given the space a fresh, modern feel without losing any of its historic charm,” says Jennifer Topiel. “When it’s just the two of us, we love grabbing dinner at the bar, and the expanded tap room has become a great spot to meet friends for a memorable meal. The only thing I miss is the old phone booth!” “As someone who has been part of the Chappaqua community for more than 25 years, Crabtree’s Kittle House always had a special place in my heart. It has been part of so many memories for so many of us,” says Oscar Flores, White House chef during the Clinton administration. “I am excited to see this next chapter of The Kittle House Inn. It is wonderful to see a new family embrace such an important piece of our community while respecting the history that made it so special. Communities grow, evolve, and welcome new ideas, and that is something to celebrate when it is done with care and respect. And I have to say, I love the desserts. They are always a wonderful way to end a terrific meal. I look forward to seeing this historic place continue to thrive for many years to come.”

“Kittle House means a lot to people in the community,” says Krase who envisions more ways for guests to enjoy new and different experiences in the future. “It’s a good feeling when people recognize that we’re trying to keep the tradition in spirit. We want this to be a gathering place and hub for the community.”

For more info go to: thekittlehouseinn.com.

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