Preserving the flavor of the Cabin with a Mexican twist

By TED WADDELL
Posted 3/24/22

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In late March, the Cabin at Hessinger-Lare will reopen under new owner Chef Kristian Unvericht, as Foster Supply Hospitality, the group behind a rapidly expanding …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Preserving the flavor of the Cabin with a Mexican twist

Posted

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — In late March, the Cabin at Hessinger-Lare will reopen under new owner Chef Kristian Unvericht, as Foster Supply Hospitality, the group behind a rapidly expanding collection of hotels and restaurants in the western Catskill Mountains transferred operations to Unvericht.

After founding Foster Supply, the entrepreneurial duo of Sims and Kirsten Foster acquired several local properties, all with a historical background, and rapidly reinvented the hotels and restaurants, while at the same time retaining a sense of the past: the Arnold House, North Branch Inn, 5 River Road, the DeBruce, Piccolo Paese, Kenoza Hall, the Darby, and most recently the Cabin at Hessinger-Lara.

“Our mission is to expand in western Sullivan County, and shepherd existing restaurants and hotels into the next chapter,” said Sims Foster, noting that the hospitality team has projects underway in Neversink “and other things as well.”

Foster Supply’s development team is also working on a project in Newburgh, along with an expansion at Kenoza Hall with the addition of several high-end bungalows.

Foster said that after three-and-a-half years of running the Cabin, “knowing how important it was for the community after 40 years,” it was time for a new owner to take the local eatery in a new direction, while retaining the favor of the past.

“We always thought the Cabin was important to the fabric of the community,” he said, adding that the switch in ownership will mark an evolution into the future, while also honoring history.

Foster said that years ago, the original owners of the property cut down trees to clear the land, and the logs were then used to build the Cabin.

“Sometimes when you go to the Cabin, you’ll see the previous owners, and the original owners,” he noted, continuing, “We have loved owning and operating this Sullivan County landmark. We love the wings, the burgers, the beers, and most importantly the team that keeps the place humming and the guests that keep coming back.”

While Unvericht works his culinary magic in the kitchen, several familiar faces will remain at the Cabin on both sides of the house: Kelly Barlow as manager and server, Jill Grishaber as a server and sous chef Doug Mirra.

The Cabin’s new owner grew up in Arizona, and at the age of 19 started working in restaurants under the mentorship of several James Beard-award-winning chefs, gaining experience as an executive chef and general manager over more than 20 years, across the United States from his birthplace to Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.

After moving to Sullivan County in 2016, Unvericht, who is proud of his Mexican and German heritage, launched “Artemisa Catskills” as a way of bringing more exposure to Mexican and Latin American foods to the local community.

In January 2021, he began selling take-home meals during the height of the pandemic, a culinary concept that later evolved into a mobile food truck, an enterprise that was booked solid all summer. It’s been parked with the new venture.

A few weeks ago, Unvericht showcased his Mexican cuisine at a pop-up at the North Branch Inn, “pulling together ingredients from Indigenous cultures,” and adding a couple of French techniques.

“Being Mexican and growing up in Arizona, I wanted to use my culinary experience to bring those flavors to the Catskllls,” said Unvericht.

“I plan to keep the Cabin favorites on the menu and also expand with great tacos, tortas and traditional favorites from Mexico,” he said, adding of his vision of the homespun eatery, “I want to keep the heart and soul of it, and at the same time provide high-quality authentic Mexican food, incorporating many flavors and my passion, keeping some of the staples on the menu.”

In his travels, Unvericht has sampled the distinctive flavors of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and places in South America, and plans to add touches of those to the Cabin’s array of offerings, “My talents for this is something I want to show people here.

“The art form, the cooking, the design and people’s reaction to the food is a really beautiful thing… I am most excited to express myself and the flavors of my culture in a longstanding restaurant loved by so many in the community. I feel honored to have this opportunity,” said Unvericht.

The Cabin, located at 495 Hessinger and Lare Rd., just outside Jeffersonville, will be closed for renovations starting Monday, March 21.

It will reopen shortly thereafter seven days a week for dinner and lunch on weekends. For more information, call 845/482-3802, and for the latest news on social media, follow @thecabinny and @artemisa_catskills.

The Cabin at Hessinger-Lare, Chef Kristian Unvericht, Foster Supply Hospitality, Sims and Kirsten Foster, Sullivan County, Artemisa Catskills

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here