Main Street Bistro, the beloved come-as-you-are joint in the heart of New Paltz, has recently expanded its offerings to include extended service hours from 5 – 8 p.m. and a new vegan, Vietnamese dinner menu. This change follows the transfer of business ownership to Mary Le, a prominent figure in the New Paltz culinary scene and local owner of the restaurant IPho.
“I know a lot of students and people in New Paltz are vegan,” Le said. As owner of IPho, she received many requests to increase vegetarian and vegan options, and she decided to bring the concept to her new Main Street Bistro location.
Despite the changes, Le has made it clear that the essence of the Bistro will remain the same, maintaining the original hearty American breakfast, lunch and staff. The introduction of the new dinner service menu and culinary team serves as an addition to the popular Main Street Bistro legacy, expanding the repertoire and aiming to cater to the growing demand for plant-based options.
Many frequenters are openly embracing the changes. “The new dinner menu is great. It has a nice range of very creative flavor and texture combinations, and it took us quite a lot of effort to decide what we’d have to leave to try on future visits,” said New Paltz local, Steve Greenfield. “We found our dinners to be made with high-quality ingredients and very well-prepared. Man, can they cook. Plus, the prices are extremely reasonable, so for anyone who is vegan, it would be a great choice for regular dining.”
Julia Nocera, a fourth-year music therapy major and Bistro regular said, “I was excited to see that one of my favorite restaurants is doing dinner now. I love IPho, and since the new Bistro owner is the IPho owner, I know the Vietnamese food will be just as good.”
Although the positive response from the Bistro’s soft opening for dinner has been pouring in, Le said she is still nervous. “A lot of people hear vegan, and they laugh. They want meat — they want chicken, they want pork, they want beef. I think vegan is better, but I’m worried.”
Le also recalled the opening of IPho — not too long ago. She said it was so busy that “waitresses and kitchen staff were running around. They were too busy; they didn’t know what to do.” There was a long line out the door, and the restaurant ran out of food and had to close after only half a day.
So, for the introduction of dinner at the Bistro, Le is taking things slow. The soft opening began last week, with service running from 5 – 8 p.m. every night. The official grand opening will take place this this Friday night on March 15.
This marks a new chapter for Main Street Bistro. Under Le’s leadership, the restaurant is on course to uphold its traditions while evolving to accommodate its diverse customer base. As the Bistro ventures into this exciting new phase, it remains a treasured staple in New Paltz’s vibrant dining scene, ensuring a positive experience for both its loyal regulars and newcomers alike.