The husband-and-wife team of Marc Taxiera and Brianne Myers have spent their lives in the restaurant industry. Right before coming to Westchester from New York City, Taxiera was the executive chef at The Russian Tea Room and Myers was the general manager of Eataly’s Flatiron location. In 2022, the couple opened Augustine’s Salumeria in Mamaroneck—a creative Italian restaurant with some traditional roots and culinary liberties. Cited in the Michelin Guide in 2023, the restaurant became an acclaimed favorite for both Westchester locals and gastro-nomads.
Now, Taxiera and Myers are attracting attention again with Vida, a stunning two-floor Spanish-inspired restaurant in Thornwood. “We were looking on and off, maybe even for a small sandwich spot,” Taxiera says. “One of our partners was building this out. I took a look, and the construction was almost done at that point. We thought about doing Italian, but I saw the roses behind the bar and said, ‘Why don’t we do Spanish?’”.
Taxiera did his homework and realized that the area lacked a Spanish restaurant. His admiration for José Andrés and Ferran and Albert Adrià of El Bulli, the wildly popular former restaurant in Spain, paired with the fact that much like at Augustine’s, Vida was going to be ingredient driven, cemented the deal. If you’re a fan of Taxiera and Myers’ flagship, you know that it’s rooted in a touch of tradition. They won’t stick to a cuisine’s script at Vida either and diners should expect plenty of experimentation. Peruse the menu and you’ll start to see a trend: tuna tartare tapa that features Asian flavors of miso and soju, tacos on homemade heirloom corn tortillas, various cuts of imported Iberico pork, and an olive oil-fried duck egg with caviar and uni hollandaise. “I’ve been on an uni kick lately,” Taxiera says. “Spanish? Rules were meant to be broken.”
At its core, Vida’s menu is Spanish intertwined with global influences, but that doesn’t mean there’s no traditional fare. Three paellas—vegetable (squash, kale, parsnips, apple), mariscos (scallops, mussels, shrimp, clams, lobster), and Valencia (chicken, rabbit, escargot)—plus some of the dozen or so tapas, such as a pair of large croquetas, crispy on the outside, creamy Manchego, fluffy mashed potatoes and chunks of salty Serrano ham on the inside, and pan-seared shrimp alajillo, served with toast, in a garlicky white wine, parsley, chili sauce, all represent Spanish tradition well and are absolutely delicious. The ambience has just as much life to it, with a buzzy, grown-up, sultry atmosphere and a lively bar with an expansive Spanish wine selection. Upstairs, there’s a stunning lounge with plush sofas and small tables that is perfect for cocktails and light bites as well as for small parties, and a terrace that’s sure to be a go-to spot as soon as the weather warms up.
If you’re a fan of Taxiera and Myers’ flagship, Augustine’s, you know it’s rooted in a touch of tradition. They won’t stick to a cuisine’s script at Vida either and diners should expect plenty of experimentation.
Vida
14 Marble Ave, Thornwood
914.825.8020
Website
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