First Look: Peniche
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- September
- 21
I’m really excited about this new restaurant in White Plains. In doing some reporting for next week’s fall restaurant preview, I stopped by yesterday afternoon. It is very European and very sexy.
There are high walnut tables in the dining room. The craftsmanship is beautiful. The wood veneer shades on those huge lights are also very striking.
As I said before, it’s in the post where Trotters used to be on Main Street. It’s still owned by the Goncalves family, along with Mark Avallone, a partner. Chef-owner Anthony Gonçalves told me that the restaurant is designed to feel like Peniche, a seaside port town in Portugal where his family has spent a lot of time. (You pronounce it pen-EESH) The wood is that of the docks and boats, and the fabric  like this:
 is meant to evoke sails. By contrast, the bar, with its gray cement look â€â€
 takes on the urban characteristics of the town. Goncalves said there are cement buildings in Peniche, and the bar does feel industrial.
All very cool. I haven’t had a chance to taste yet, but I’m hoping to get there early next week. The menu offers small plates and tapas and is not at all expensive. Some items are as little as $6.
I’m working from home right now and the menu is at my desk at the office, but when I get in, I’ll post it so you can peruse.
Who wants to be the first to report back?
Peniche, 175 Main St., White Plains. 914-421-5012.
This entry was posted
on Friday, September 21st, 2007 at 8:50 am by Liz Johnson.
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(4.62 out of 5)
(4.22 out of 5)
Is it just me or does this interior remind you of PF Chang’s??
Can’t wait for your review, it looks like they did a great job with the interior.
I was there on Monday evening when he reopened. Anthony served complimentary tapas that were delish – many of them were on the Trotters menu… Service and ambiance are excellent as always…. They will do well. The restaurant was quite busy and a visit by the Mayor was a nice touch. The bar does have an industrial feel to it. There is not a lot of space behind the bar stools so if the bar gets crowded on a weekend night,getting past can be tough.
As impressed and happy as I was on Monday when Penice opened, I was equally disappointed and unimpressed Friday evening. I had dinner with friends at a great little italian restaurant (La Bocca) on Church Street. I told my friends how impressed I was with Peniche and we should take a walk over. At 11:00 we left the resaturant to go to Peniche for a couple of after dinner drinks. We walked from Church to Main Street. As we got within sight of Peniche, we saw a crowd standing in front. As we got closer, we noticed a group of noisy young (25ish) people hanging out in front (like the bars on Mamaroneck Ave). We ventured inside and the bar was crowded (again with young 25ish people, the music was extemely loud and the dining area also was full of young noisy people hanging out at the tables and the music was loud. I love a crowd and good music but I never expected Peniche to turn into that type of place. Hopefully the youngish set will go to Mamaroneck ave and let the slightly older (30ish 40ish set) enjoy some cocktails and music you can actually talk over.
I have been to peniche a several times since it’s opened. The ambiance and service is great from bartenders like Seth who will go an extra mile. I read a blog by Kathy stating the 25ish should go to mamaroneck ave.I do not see anything wrong with 25ish hanging out in a new trendy restaurant,, As you all know white plains has a disability of trendy places , so when a new trendy place opens in town it doesn’t mean it’s meant for the slightly older , the next thing we will be reading from Kathy is that the place is full of different too many African Americans and Spanish people. Catch up Kathy seems like the train left you . If you can’t hang around the 25is-30ish then please you are most welcome to go somewhere else where your $30 a night would be welcome . I believe the 25ish bring in better business than you do You, your arrogances is intolerable.