SUFFERN, NEW YORK
Right across from the railroad station in the bustling village of Suffern lied KEG & KESTREL, a Greek-related restaurant and beer pub refurbished and re-established as a craft bar during September ’14. Owned by the Roussos family since 2011, its cool beer-centric transition came with an updated food menu featuring both genuine Greek dishes (gyros, lamb shank, sauvlaki, falafels) and traditional American pub fare (burgers, seafood, salads).
However, by 2016, it was closed for business. The rest of the review follows:
Inside a snug mahogany den with olden 15-seat bar, twin private booths and opposing dining area, this rustic saloon features 14 bronze-stationed tap handles, copious liquor selections, two TV’s, one Touchtone jukebox, a whiteboard beer menu and elegant wood decor. Along the maroon walls are promotional Flying Dog, Sierra Nevada, Goose Island, Bells and Troegs banners.
Upon my initial visit in late March ’15, the diminutive bar fills up with mostly twenty-something denizens while Red Hot Chili Peppers. Offspring, Green Day and Nirvana play on the back-walled jukebox. My wife and I order the robust Ale House Burger, busy Greek Pizza (with feta-cheesed gyro meat and kalamata olives) and Trata Piato & Tzatziki (fried eggplant, zucchini chips and yogurt sauce with cucumber, dill and parsley) alongside two previously untried libations. Stuffed grape leaves with rice and lemon is also recommended.
Bar manager Patrick Reynar serves the newly discovered New York-based suds as we munch on dinner. Broken Bow Chinook IPA’s easygoing wood-dried floral citrus serenade contrasted Southern Tier 2Xpresso Stout’s coffee-sugared espresso theme. The next evening, I quaff Roscoe Trout Town Amber, a pleasurable mainstream moderation with laid-back orange-apple fruiting, spicy hop respite and leafy earthiness.
An increasingly popular Rockland County hangout drawing rush hour train commuters, curious brewhounds and young folk alike, Keg & Kestrel’s casual intimacy (and convenient 4 to 6 PM Happy Hour) keeps ’em coming. Along with Craft House, one mile east up Lafayette Avenue, Suffern now has two exciting microbrew options.