©2017 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Jeff and Patty Novo’ will open a new restaurant in early 2018. They want people to feel one thing—at home.
Their vision for the pub-style place, Taverna Novo at 62 Beekman St., is a comfortable atmosphere where people will feel at home while enjoying quality food and drinks.
Patty Novo said “taverna” is traditionally a small, rustic tavern where guests may stop, get a warm meal and a glass of beer or wine. She said the intent is to create an Italian equivalent to a British pub.
“We want it to feel like a cozy place to stop in to. We want people to feel at home,” she said.
The location was formerly Beekman Bistro, owned by friends of the Novos, Tim Meaney and chef Dan Spitz. Jeff Novo said Spitz will be working with them as a consultant for the menu. The menu will focus on traditional, authentic rustic Italian dishes.
“We are still working the menu … It will have wood-fired pizzas, with the oven in the dining room, and authentic Italian dinner plates. There will be a new bar when you walk in,” he said.
The wood-fired oven is from a company in Maine, which Patty Novo described as top of the line. She said they plan on offering between 8 to 10 different pizza selections, as well as a variety of small plates, sharing plates, and several salad and soup offerings. The pasta selection will most likely feature between eight to 10 options. They will offer gluten-free options, where viable, in both pasta and pizza selections.
“My Bolognese recipe will definitely be featured as one of the pasta selections. Small plates and shareables will include Tuscan hummus, my cannellini bean dip with garlic, lemon, rosemary and olive oil. A ‘fonduta’ will also be on the starter menu, simply a variation on fondue, featuring fontina cheese. The wine list will feature boutique California and Italian selections for the most part, with a nod to traditional wines from the classic regions of Italy. We will also have rotating features or specials on both the food and drink menu, which will vary based on whim and local availability,” said Patty Novo.
The couple previously owned Crush & Cask Wine & Spirits on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Patty Novo is a certified specialist of wine through the Society of Wine Educators, a Guild Of Sommeliers certified culinarian and has a culinary degree from Schenectady County Community College. She is president of the advisory board for Hotel, Culinary Arts & Tourism at SCCC, and a lead instructor in the Wines of the World course at SCCC.
“This is something I have wanted to do for years, combining my passion for food with my passion for wine and hospitality,” said Patty Novo.