Delays & Divisions

A: It’s only been two years, not three, so we’ll re-address this topic 365 days from now, okay? Actually, by the time this goes to print, Finalmente Trattoria and Wine Bar should be open. So, what was the cause for the two-year delay? It wasn’t to age the cheese. You see, two years ago, Daniel Damiano, Sr., purchased the location of, he says, “the small, and not too expensive” bistro-to-be for his son, Dan Jr. The plan was to turn what was a local bar at 31 Beekman Avenue, known as The Dugout, into a quaint neighborhood restaurant. But walls had to be re-studded, floors had to be expanded, liquor licenses had to be acquired, etc. And that, Goodness knows, all costs money. And to make matters more challenging, the economy tanked, and funding for the project disappeared from Sleepy Hollow faster than Ichabod Crane. Thus, Finalmente (which means “finally” in Italian) became an ironic name for the project. But the carbonara should be flowing by the time you read this. So do dine at Finalmente, and, please, let us know how it is. We’ve been waiting to find out for more than two years.