Find a Pearl in Restaurant Week 2012: Aqua Terra Grille

By Carolyn Johnson

In anticipation of restaurant week, I reached out to some of our

readers and asked where I should go to research this exciting annual

celebration of local restaurants. Respondents enthusiastically

recommended the modern American cuisine at the one-year-new Aqua Terra Grille in Pearl River. The natural beauty and ambiance is delightful,

and brunch features the freshest seafood and mouth-watering

appetizers, such as the Baked Lobster Mac-n-Cheese and Fiery Asian

Shrimp. We enjoyed the salmon and Omele-Terra, featuring Applewood

bacon, wild mushrooms, sharp Gruyere, and a field green salad. Aqua

Terra combines the elements of water and earth to create a

mouth-watering menu in a relaxing, aesthetically delicious atmosphere.

I met with Stacy Lambos, who owns and manages the restaurant with her

husband. Her family has been in the restaurant business for forty

years, when the Pearl River building was “The Hudson Bay” seafood

restaurant. They also own The Harbor Restaurant in City Island in the

Bronx. They hope their son, who just graduated from Culinary Institute

of America, and is working toward a degree in hospitality in Florida,

joins the business in time.

One year ago, Lambos opened the Aqua Terra Grille, hoping to create a

family friendly atmosphere. They were immediately well received, with

diners and people looking for something beyond the local pubs. While

the restaurant is beautiful, Lambos welcomes casual dress. There is

live music and dancing after 9 pm on Saturday nights, a popular ladies

night out spot, where skini-tinis fly over the bar by the dozens. In

the summer, the restaurant’s open patio is popular for dinner and/or

drinks.

Aqua Terra Grille is housed in the former home of the founder of Pearl

River, Julius Braunsdorf. In 1864 he purchased his farm and built his

home there. He then built the largest factory around, and brick

tenements to house workers in his sewing machine company. Pearl River

named for the pearl-bearing mussels people found in Muddy Brook.

I found a pearl in celebration of restaurant week. Now I encourage

you to do the same, from March 18-31.

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To tell us about your favorite Rockland County restaurant this month,

visit our webpage, or write cjohnson@rocklandcountytimes.com.

  hudson valley, Pearl River, restaurant week