Marlboro, NY 12542
Phone: 845-236-3333
www.cibonoche.co
If you Google Cibo Noche, the results suggest a location on Ridge Road in Milton, which is how a few of my Wednesday Night Boyz Dinner crew came to be sitting in front of someone's house, in a residential neighborhood up behind the Ship Lantern Inn. It seems that Google also considers articles of incorporation in their search results, which is how the restaurant owner's home came to be our GPS's destination. We were in all likelihood not as confused as the owner's family, who are probably tired of fielding requests for tables for two. Luckily the listed phone number was correct, and our new favorite bartender, Tom, led us to the proper location, a few miles south in Marlboro.
Cibo Noche is located in the center of Marlboro, across 9W from the Raccoon Saloon, in the building that once housed the Brick House. Cibo Noche means "night food", or more literally "eat the night", but in either case it seems they had no intention of opening for lunch. (Actually they do open Sunday at noon) The first floor dining room has seen a makeover, which included taking out the half wall separating the dining room from the bar area. The tables in this downstairs dining area are pub sized - smaller than standard - and our larger than standard group members did have some difficulty negotiating space for our meals. I peeked at the new upstairs dining room, which is much more spacious, with larger white linen covered tables and a much quieter atmosphere. The restaurant has not been open long enough to establish any traditions, but the atmosphere downstairs was more "bar that serves food" instead of the upstairs dining space "restaurant that also has a bar". On our next visit I'll try and talk the group into eating upstairs, which will be difficult because they get nervous if they are more that fifty feet from their next drink.
Our server started our meal with a loaf of house baked bread and a small bowl of seasoned olive oil, and we ordered a bottle of Barbera d'Alba to go along with dinner selections. We started with apps - a blue claw crab cake ($9) drizzled with a tangy caper and chive sauce, a Napolean fashioned with crab and roasted peppers ($9), and a gratan of swiss cheese ($8), stirred with chunks of baked shrimp and flecks of artichoke. All were very nicely prepared from fresh ingredients and generous portions. We were off to a good start.
At this point what appeared to be the local soft ball league started spilling over from the bar into the dining area, which we dealt with by ordering a bottle of Montepulciano, just to try something different. Our server opened another bottle of D'Alba by mistake, which we happily drank. I never did check the bill to see what we paid for.
Entree selections included a fettuccine with chicken ($15), tossed with tomato, mozzarella, parmigiana, and chunks of chicken breast. This dish too was very nicely prepared, with home made pasta and a delicate hand on the seasoning. George ordered his usual - Atlantic salmon - which the kitchen prepares here with a horseradish crust and a lemon lime avocado sauce ($21). Chicken cacciatore ($19) was a classical preparation - braised with a sauce of tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and peppers. The group rounded out the selections with a dish of orecchiette and broccoli rabe ($16), tossed with sun dried tomatoes and sweet fennel scented sausage.
Cibo Noche definitely earned a return visit, but I think I would prefer the quiter space upstairs if I had a group with me. They will be happy to serve dinner at the bar too, and the restaurant offers a separate bar menu.
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