Restaurant X and Bully Boy, in business 27 years, closes
It's the end of an era. After 27 years and many months of speculation, Restaurant X and Bully Boy in Congers, the last Peter X. Kelly-owned restaurant in Rockland, has closed.
Kelly quietly shuttered it a few weeks ago in anticipation of a sale. The 5.3-acre property is listed for $2.8 million.
The trailblazing chef — and a pioneer of fine dining in Rockland County — had been trying to sell the property, which was known for its lavish brunches, gracious service, and many a special occasion meal, for a while. The reason, according to Kelly, is changing demographics and the challenges of the industry. Kelly said the restaurant business is at a precarious point right now. "Especially since the pandemic; there's just not a lot of people looking for a 250-seat restaurant," he said.
As for what's next? Clarkstown Town Supervisor George Hoehmann said there have been a few different options discussed, with housing one of them.
While the site is in a commercial zone, it could qualify for the town's Active Adult Residence floating zone for senior housing.
More: Rockland smashburger with maple onion bacon jam is Muchnick's 'Best Thing' she ate this week
If some kind of development does happen, it's likely the building, which for 40 years operated as Bully Boy restaurant before Kelly bought it in 1997, will be demolished, according to Hoehmann.
Though he wasn't surprised by the sale, he said the loss will reverberate throughout the community. "Peter was a great supporter of many charities," he said, "Everything from Little League to nonprofits. His presence will be missed enormously.
"Restaurant X will occupy the pages of history in Rockland."
Jane Zemon, CEO of The Arc Rockland echoed the same sentiment. "Peter Kelly's unwavering commitment to culinary excellence and community engagement has been an inspiration," she said. "For decades, Restaurant X's generous donations of delectable cuisine to The Arc Rockland’s premier fundraiser, A Taste of Rockland, have left a lasting impression.
"Its closure not only creates a void in the culinary scene for the county but also in the hearts of those who have benefitted from its philanthropic contributions."
News of the closing also saddened many local residents including lifelong Rocklander Mike Kohlbrenner whose memories of Restaurant X go way back. “Growing up in the '60s and '70s, Bully Boy Chop House was known as one of the best, if not the best restaurant In Rockland," he said. "My parents went there for every special event dinner.” Later in life, Kohlbrenner frequented all of Kelly’s restaurants, starting at Xaviars in Garrison and continuing to Xaviars and Freelance Café in Piermont, Restaurant X in Congers and X20 in Westchester.
“As a Valley Cottage resident, Restaurant X is just down the road from me” he added. "I continued my parents’ tradition and went there for all special dinners and lunches with family — Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries. I will miss it, for sure, and may now need to cross the bridge more often to go to Yonkers."
The Kelly legacy
Kelly, too, admits the situation is bittersweet. "I’ve had an incredible opportunity to work in Rockland and be part of the county for a long time. Of course when anything ends it’s always difficult but I feel like I’ve been part of celebrations and family get togethers and have been a part of educating the community about fine dining," he said.
And that won't end, he said. "I'll continue to be in the community and be a part of it."
More: Westchester restaurant selected by Michelin Guide as 'recommended'
Chef Kelly at one time owned three area restaurants: Xaviars, which he opened with a 10-course tasting menu in 1987 in Piermont, and Freelance Cafe & Wine Bar next door, where he introduced small plates and dining at the bar in 1989. (Both were sold in 2017).
With each opening, Kelly, who was 23 years old when he opened his first restaurant, Xaviars at Garrison, cemented his stake in Rockland County and upped the Lower Hudson Valley's culinary game. His Yonkers waterfront spot Xaviars on the Hudson, which he opened in 2008, remains open (Xaviars at Garrison closed in 2003).
"I'm just trying to survive," he said at the time. "We went through the worst of the pandemic and we're just trying to get to the other side. It's not easy." (Kelly is no longer in bankruptcy.)
What's next
Along with continuing to operate X2O Xaviars on the Hudson, Kelly has also taken over the food and beverage program at Apropos Restaurant at The Abbey Inn in Peekskill, which recently was awarded a "Recommended" listing by Michelin. He started the job this past January and oversees all food and beverage service including weddings, events, corporate and social catering.
He's since introduced all new contemporary American cuisine menus, which, as is his trademark, includes a majority of ingredients from the Hudson Valley. The wine list has also been completely revamped and a new look has been applied to the dining room down to the china, table lighting, artwork, and stemware. He also hired Adrian Glaza as the new executive chef.
As for Rockland, Hoehmann is quick to point out that though Chef Kelly will no longer own a restaurant in the immediate vicinity, there are plenty of other great eateries in the area, with more coming soon. "Plus, we can all always cross the bridge and see Peter in Yonkers."
"Peter Kelly is legendary," he added. "And we wish him he best as he transitions to other opportunities.
"And we’ll see what's next for this piece of property."
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Congers NY Restaurant X and Bully Boy closes after 27 years
