The late Ada Cantavero, who ran Ada’s Variety Store in Riverside. On Halloween evening and in continuing a 65 year-old tradition, candy and scratch-made goodies will be handed out at what will soon be Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee. Contributed
On Halloween evening, families are invited to visit Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee at 112 Riverside Ave, to receive one of hundreds of candy bags being given out by Ada Cantavaro’s nieces and nephews.
Joining in the 65 year-old Halloween tradition, Chef Mike Pietrafeso will also be passing out scratch-made goodies and hot cider to all visitors.
On Halloween evening from 5pm to 8pm at Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee in Riverside, CT, Chef Mike Pietrafeso and his family will join the Cantaveros in their Halloween tradition of handing out candy. Photographed are Ella, Mike, Krista and Josie Pietrafeso.
Ada and her variety store were well known to Greenwich youth and natives, so it’s special that her memory lives on in the Halloween tradition and will additionally play a role in the future use of the space.
“The long awaited opening of Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee is right around the corner,” said Chef Pietrafeso, the business owner and a Greenwich native. “We’ll have artisanal coffee and seasonal and locally sourced foods, all scratch-made and all conveniently to-go. Oh and candy, don’t worry, there will be an Ada’s candy corner!”
Before it was Ada’s, the building at 112 Riverside Ave was the Riverside Post Office.
Before the Cantavero family purchased the property and before Ada’s Variety Store filled the space, there was a post office located in the century old building. The detailed renovation of the building has taken longer than expected but is important in maintaining the store’s historic look and feel. Soon it will be an ideal location for the exceptional food and drinks that Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee will offer.
Mike Pietrafeso will open Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee in the former Ada’s Variety shop. Credit: Leslie Yager
Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee business owner Chef Mike Pietrafeso studied at the French Culinary Institute and has been in the high-end restaurant and catering business for the past decade. Ingredients will be locally sourced, and offered in a seasonal menu, paired with a variety of locally roasted artisan coffee from Path Coffee Roasters in Port Chester.
The key to Chef Pietrafeso’s eatery is the time and attention that goes into every food detail beforehand, so that gourmet items can be quickly and conveniently taken to go.
Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee will pay homage to the beloved Ada with a dedicated candy corner.
For more information visit www.AdasKitchenandCoffee.com, email [email protected] and follow on Facebook and Instagram @adaskitchenandcoffee.
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Stop by Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee in Riverside on Halloween evening to receive a candy bag and scratch-made goodies being given away. The building is currently being restored to keep the store’s historic look and feel from when it first was a post office over a century ago.
On Halloween evening from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee in Riverside, Chef Mike Pietrafeso and his family will join the Cantaveros in their Halloween tradition of handing out candy. Photographed are Ella, Mike, Krista and Josie Pietrafeso.
Like Ada’s Kitchen + Coffee on Facebook!
See also:
Ada’s to Reopen Soon: Meet the Chef, Mike Pietrafeso, Greenwich Native
Spared from the Wrecking Ball in Riverside: Ada’s Variety Shop
Peeling off Layers of History at Ada’s: A Family Project
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