In Our Backyard: Palisades Market Update
As most have probably noticed, The Market has reopened with new owners and a minor makeover. Former food writer Agata Ostrowska and chef Fotis Katz (who happens to be Ostrowska’s brother-in-law) have spruced up the interior and streamlined the food service to feature fresh, and whenever possible, organic and local ingredients prepared with a Mediterranean flair. Rotisserie meats and poultry sizzle enticingly; crusty baguettes and flaky croissants emerge from on-site ovens each morning (sometimes twice a day on weekends) and freshly prepared meals, sandwiches and panini await the harried and non-cookers throughout the day. There’s a cold case of sophisticated cheeses, jars of pickles, jams and vinegars from a Connecticut vendor, an alarmingly good selection of pastries, cookies and muffins and a hefty supply of drinks and power bars for the bikers. But Ostrowska insists that the emphasis is less on running in for a quick sandwich than about hanging out with neighbors and friends. “We want it to be a great experience,” she says, “a place where you can come and get everything you need for the day.”
Ostrowska, Katz and Ostrowska’s husband, Stavros (just Stavros he insists) are all friends of former owner Diane Walsh and were saddened when Walsh closed The Market last fall because of alleged soil contamination. They loved her idea of creating a community gathering place and thought they could apply their combined experience in the food industry to make The Market a success. With a clean bill of health from the town and a lengthy “wish list” from friends, they added a communal table, a cheerful mural painted from a 50s era photo of the site when it was a gas station and outdoor tables and chairs. After a soft opening in mid-March, they plan to expand the menu and add catering services. Stavros is transforming the former ice cream stand into “The Filling Station,” a gourmet burger and hot dog joint that will feature glamorous Kobe and Wagyu beef and the skinny little pom mes frites usually found in fancy French restaurants.
But the big vision for The Market is that of community gathering place. Ostrowska is looking for events that will bring people together such as movie nights, open mic nights, and fundraisers. As of this writing an Easter egg roll for children is in the works and a Planet Water fundraiser is scheduled for July 9. “Your customers will tell you what they want,” says Stavros. And with a twenty-year lease for The Market’s quaint digs and a European take on the art of hanging out, the owners are hoping customers will want them around for some time to come.