What's Cooking? Relish and Café Siena

What’s Cookin’?- Smithtown

By Nancy Vallarella

Resident Entrepreneurs Relish the Opportunity to Invest Locally

It’s all about local and community for co-owners Donny Brown and Chef Steve Cardello of Relish in Kings Park.  They are doing much more than talking the talk; they are walking the walk.   Four months shy of Relish’s four year anniversary they are three weeks into their latest local endeavor – Café Siena at St. Catherine’s of Siena Hospital in Smithtown.

The former cafe was given a fresh start with a twelve day ceiling to floor cleaning, décor changes, and a new menu. “We wanted to create a space where St. Catherine’s employees and patrons look forward to relaxing, socializing and enjoy a great meal” states Chef Cardello.  A predictable walk in the park for this pair of entrepreneurs. They have successfully carried through on this mission at Relish for several years.

Donny Brown and Chef Steve CardelloAlthough Cardello still stands by his modest description of Relish as being “a greasy spoon without the grease”; it is so much more.  It has been the go-to place for many Town of Smithtown residents to gather around a table and celebrate life’s events both large and small.  The friendly, cheerful environment with freshly made food feels like a home away from home.  Cardello explains, “Our food takes a little longer to get to the table because we make it when ordered.” In the culinary world, the term for this method is a la minute. It refers to when a food item is prepared when ordered, rather than being prepped for in advance and held for service.

The time between ordering and serving is filled with friendly conversation much of which is between the staff and customers.  While having a recent meal there, I overheard a customer mention to a staff member how much they enjoyed the food and that it was their third time there that week.

Fresh is an understatement when it comes to describing the product served.  Chef Steve Cardello is an industry proclaimed ardent locavore.  Poultry and eggs are sourced from Raleigh Farms in Kings Park, a considerable amount of produce is sourced from Sujecki’s Farm in Calverton who sell their products at the King’s Park and Nesconset Farmer’s Markets.  The chef confides, “I always go local when given the option. If not, it has to be sustainable”.

Product is not the only element involved in the owners’ pledge to local. Both Brown and Cardello are Town of Smithtown residents.  Steve Cardello recently purchased a home here. Donny Brown is a lifer. They employ thirty-five employees at Relish and an additional twenty at Café Siena.   The majority of employees live within the town.

Their second eatery (Café Siena), sells breakfast until 8pm, salad, signature Boar’s Head sandwiches, grilled items, hot dish specials and daily baked goods.  There is also a big upgrade in coffee options. Café Siena is open to St. Catherine’s staff and patrons from 6am to 8pm seven days a week.

This is a great example of how local money spent in local business stays in the community.  It is truly an asset to have young entrepreneurs strengthening the economic base of our community, linking neighbors and contributing to local causes.  There is great expectation there will be additional local investments made by this partnership (Donny Brown and Steve Cardello) in the near future.

Save the Date: On April 25th, Relish will be hosting a special fundraising event on behalf of Autism Awareness.

.