Rye’s vibrant dining scene is about to add a jewel to its crown as acclaimed SoHo staple Antique Garage brings its Mediterranean magic to Westchester this month. The chic eatery, which opens its doors with a soft launch on April 23 followed by its official debut on April 24, promises to transport diners to the sun-drenched coasts of Greece and Turkey. Behind this culinary journey is owner and chef Utku Cinel, whose story is as fascinating as his cuisine. Twenty-four years ago, Cinel transformed a humble Manhattan mechanic’s garage into a treasure trove of flavors and antiques—creating not just a restaurant but a dining institution that later expanded to Tribeca. Now, Westchester residents can savor this unique blend of history, ambiance, and Mediterranean mastery without the trip to Manhattan—no congestion pricing necessary.
The man behind Antique Garage
Antique Garage Rye, like its New York City predecessors, blends Turkish and Greek cuisines. “My mom is a Greek immigrant to Turkey; she’s from Thessaloniki,” Cinel explains. His mother’s family arrived in the 1920s. “My father is Turkish-born and from the Black Sea/northern part of Turkey, where cooking is very important,” Cinel adds.
Growing up, he remembers trying to help his grandparents and his mother cook as a kid. “I was getting into it a little too much,” he says. But it served him well: Cinel uses family recipes, such as zucchini with goat cheese and Greek-style fish with Turkish herbs, among his newer creations. The restaurant’s decor features a blend of Victorian and Turkish antiques, with Turkish marble elements.
Born in Turkey, Cinel trained as a chef in 2002 at French culinary school, graduating in 2003. “I modernized Ottoman cuisine with Mediterranean diet-friendly cooking,” he explains. He cooks with a lot of fresh olive oil imported from Greece and Turkey.
Why Westchester?
In the last few years, Cinel found that so many of his regular customers were buying homes outside of the city. He was part of that trend, having purchased a house a little over two years ago in Westport, Connecticut.
“I realized that so many of [my regulars] bought a house and were working more from home, and so many offices were closing,” he shares. He says he saw this beautiful place in Rye with an outdoor space that he could use to replicate the Mediterranean outdoor eating in his Manhattan location.
“This was the right spot,” Cinel observes. He added an outdoor pergola and an addition for expanded dining.
Antique aesthetic
There will be antiques, of course. “I’ve collected them all my life,” Cinel says. Though Rye’s venue isn’t situated in an actual garage, it’s more or less the same aesthetic. Cinel has infused the furnishings and decor with a Victorian vibe, mirroring that of his SoHo location’s interior. The menu will also be the same.
On the menu at Antique Garage
“We offer mostly fish dishes, with fish sourced via daily overnight deliveries from the Mediterranean Sea,” he explains. Cinel imports branzino and dorado in addition to other local fish.
“We’ll have a display of fresh fish from the Mediterranean Sea,” he adds. “People will be able to see and choose their own fish, and we’ll put it on the grill, and then in 10 minutes, it’ll be on the table.”
For landlubbers, there are kebabs aplenty, along with lamb dishes and antipasti with ingredients like eggplant, celery, and artichokes. From tzatziki to borek, the menu is peppered with Mediterranean offerings. Organic, fresh ingredients from Greece and Turkey reign supreme—oreganos, cumin, black pepper, and sage make cameos in many of Cinel’s recipes.
Unique and antique
In a sea of so many French and Italian haunts, Cinel’s Mediterranean space provides delicious, healthy food and ambiance. With live jazz and weekend DJ brunch parties, Antique Garage is sure to be a hit with Rye residents of all ages.
With its fusion of Mediterranean flavors, antique-adorned atmosphere, and fresh seafood, Antique Garage brings something distinctive to Rye’s dining scene. Cinel’s dedication to his dual heritage shines through in every aspect of the restaurant, from family recipes and imported olive oils to the Victorian-meets-Turkish décor. As Westchester residents increasingly look for exceptional dining options closer to home, this SoHo transplant—complete with outdoor dining, live jazz, and weekend DJ brunches—promises to become a beloved local institution that delivers authentic Mediterranean hospitality without the trip to Manhattan.
Antique Garage
100 Purchase St, Rye
Website
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