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TAPAS AND WINE TO TAKE OVER COLUMBUS AVENUE WITH THE OPENING OF CASA POMONA
Longtime Restaurateurs Bring Love for Spain to the Streets of the UWS

New York, NY August 2012: Adding to the landscape of the bustling Upper West Side, Casa Pomona (507 Columbus Avenue, between 84th & 85th St., 212.362.3200), a new Spanish tapas restaurant, sets the stage for an early September opening. Longtime Upper West Side restaurateur Sid Gupta (Pappardella, Village Pourhouse, Hudson Terrace, Little Town) and Marion Maur, who successfully ran Marion's Country Kitchen for 5 years in Woodstock, NY, are bringing their own inspiration and love for Spanish culture to life. Executive Chef Jodi Bernhard, hot off a two-year stint with Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant in Connecticut, will make her New York City debut as the dynamic team blends the warm tradition of Spanish hospitality with a contemporary look and feel, as seen throughout both the menu and design. Casa Pomonas menu will showcase rich, heartfelt seasonal cooking with a focus on simple yet robust flavors. Leveraging the relationships that both Maur and Bernhard have made over the years with purveyors and farmers in the Hudson Valley, seasonal selections from farms such as Taliaferro Farms (organic produce), Northwind Farms (pork, beef & poultry, free roaming, organic and grassfed) and Maplebrook Farms (dairy and cheese) will be seen throughout the menu. Diners will enjoy a variety of inspired small plates such as Albondigas ($8.00), oxtail stuffed meatballs served with tomato sauce, Pulpo ($10.50), grilled octopus, confit cherry tomatoes, pickled celery hearts, Calcot ($7.00), grilled baby leeks with romesco and a staple on every tapas menu but with a twist Croquetas Varios ($7.50), a trio of croquetas chorizo and cheese, salt cod and potato (Chef Bernhards take on brandade) and a sweet and salty fig and walnut. In traditional Spanish style, Casa Pomona will be a destination for both singles as well as group dining and imbibing, so for those looking to satisfy the palate of a group, a mix and match Tiered Tapas will allow guests to enjoy the chefs selection and can be ordered for groups of 4 people - $48, 6 people - $65 or 8 people $80. One way in which Chef Bernhard looks to set Casa Pomona apart will be with the paella; sticking to tradition, Casa Pomonas paellas will not mix seafood and meat. According to Chef Bernhard, you would never find the kitchen sink approach in Spain, wherein nowadays across the US chefs throw everything from chorizo and chicken to clams, mussels and scallops into one dish. In Spain, the star of the dish is rice and the protein is simply used to enrich the flavor of the rice, not consume the dish. My paellas will tend to focus on

one protein at a time and will rotate on a nightly basis, from whole fish, to duck breast, lobster and more. The paella will be offered for two or more, starting at $19.50 per person. Under the Plato del Dia, diners can also expect a weekly list of nightly specials, including: Monday - Suckling Pig, Tuesday - Whole Lobster a la Plancha, Wednesday - Coca y Ensalada, Thursday - a Whole Fish in Salt Crust, Friday Empanada Gallega, Saturday Carne Assada, and Sunday Whole Roast Chicken. A striking metal top bar rooted with reclaimed wood sets the stage for Casa Pomonas lively beverage program, blending Spanish and American classics with local and premium products. The menu will feature a twist on some classics such as a play off the legendary Manhattan cocktail made with Templeton American Rye Whisky with Spains Legendary Hidalgo Oloroso Sherry, fresh Lemon juice and Agostino bitters and Spain's undeniable favorite cocktail, the gin and tonic, featuring fresh seasonal local ingredients Bluecoat American Dry Gin, made locally in Philadelphia and homemade Blueberry Tonic. An extensive wine menu proudly comprised of more than two thirds of specially selected Spanish wines will include Granbazan, 2011, Albarino from Rias Baixas, Spain and Casa Del Mar, Cava Rose from Penedes, Spain. The taps will be flowing at Casa Pomona as well, along with a house made red and white Sangria they will be showcasing Spanish beer Estrella Damm and their love for all things local with a revolving brew from Southampton Public House. The inspiration for the design was derived from both Gupta and Maur and executed by industry veterans KGUK Designs (The Smith, Fatty Cue, Boqueria, Almond). The design divides the 114 seat Casa Pomona into distinct spaces each offering a unique environment to enjoy the complete menu. The front of the restaurant creates an energetic and convivial environment, perfect for singles or groups. With a mix of industrial and rustic touches the seating is comprised of high and low communal tables, all made from a single Cherry tree from Maurs hometown of Woodstock and crafted by Woodstock Green Lumber. A custom- made chandelier sweeps from the ceiling and a variety of antique sconces from the Spanish Pavilion of the 1964 Worlds Fair adorn the walls. The back sets the tone for a more traditional, intimate dining experience with comfortable banquet seating and warm lighting. The highlight of the room is the expansive 17.5 foot hand painted mural titled Pomona created by Spanish artist Eduardo Anievas Cortines (www.eduardoanievas.com) and inspired by a Castilian landscape and Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruitful abundance. Casa Pomona will also feature outdoor seating for 14 . Casa Pomona will open for dinner in early September with brunch service starting later this Fall. # # #