Alvin & Friends Adds Classy Bistro to Downtown Roster of Terrific Restaurants

Downtown New Rochelle got a tremendous boost last night from the official grand opening celebration of Alvin & Friends at 49 Lawton Street near the New Rochelle Public Library. The bistro bills itself as Contemporary, Southern and Caribbean cuisine. Mayor Noam Bramson was on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony and Father Bigelin of Holy Name Church gave the blessing.

A beaming and clearly pleased Alvin Clayton, the owner, greeted guests, touted the food and even served guests sample plates to show off some of the specialties from a menu prepared by chef Raymonde Jackson. The Journal News highlighted the restaurant during its preview run. According to the Alvin & Friends, Jackson previously worked at Maroons in Chelsea and Blue Smoke and trained under Emeril Lagasse and Norman Van Aken in Coral Gables, FL.

The skirt streak, crab cakes, salmon and swordfish samplers were delicious. The space itself, designed by New Rochelle architect John Woodruff, with its vaulted ceilings and columns combined with original artwork from the owner gives the space a New York-bistro feel without feeling overly cramped or crowded. Alvin & Friends makes effective use of a small space that was previously home to Villarina. The location on the same street as Cholo’s Kitchen at 4 Lawton, Gallery Cafe at 41 Lawtown and McKiernan’s Bar at 49 Lawtown is turning Lawtown Street into a rival for the already popular restaurant row on Division Street, home to Coromandel Cusine of India, Brickyard Bistro, Posto 22 and Kaffeine.

Clayton is an acclaimed artist whose “vivid Matisse-inspired” work has been displayed at the Smithsonian and galleries around the world. Among the collectors of his work are Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Robert De Niro, Don Cheadle, Robert Townsend, and Lorraine Toussaint. Clayton is a former Wilhelmina model who has appeared in GQ, Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Esquire and a former college soccer player drafted to play professional in the North American Soccer League.

Performing last night was a trio led by Brian Carter a top-flight jazz drummer from New Rochelle who is currently developing the first-ever New Rochelle Jazz Festival.

You can call for reservations at 914-654-6549.

Additional Photos:

NOTE: All photos by Talk of the Sound except the top photo of Clayton and Jackson with another woman whose identity is unknown (if you let us know she is we will edit this article)