Sala Brings Authentic Spanish Tapas to Croton

Croton, among its interesting dining options, can now boast a warm and authentic tapas restaurant.

Sala on Hudson opened Nov. 8 at 44 Maple Street, joining its sister Sala One Nine Restaurant on 19th Street in Manhattan. 

Michael Jannetta opened his first restaurant in the city, met his wife Shahla and this is their first venture together upriver. Neither hails from Spain but Michael studied in Spain "and fell in love with it," said Shahla. He speaks fluent Spanish and visits several times to keep up with the cuisine and culture.

The couple lives just 20 minutes north in Garrison but opening here on the Hudson presents it's own set of challenges, Shahla said. "Coming from the city, it's a whole different thing. But everyone's been really great."

We have taken our traditional recipes, sense of place and home and brought it to Croton on Hudson.

Authentic Spanish fare fills the short but robust one-page menu:

• Savory and sharable tapas options from bacon-wrapped dates ($7) to roasted baby beets ($10).
• Cured meats and cheeses
• A few Platos Grandes such as Heritage pork chops ($22) and, of course, seafood Paella ($19 pp for a minimum of two).

The paella would be their most familiar signature dish, said Jannetta, made from a traditional Valencian recipe, care of their first restaurant's chef from Valenica.

And to drink:

Sangria and other cocktails compliment a proud Spanish-only wine list.

Facebook friends seem pleased so far:

• "Really nice experiences here"
• "We had an excellent dinner tonight at Sala!"
• "Can't wait to come back again and work my way down the list of tapas!!"
• "Can you deliver that garlic shrimp in the snow??"

To answer that last question, no they don't deliver, but you can pre-order take-out. The restaurant plans to open for lunch come March, but for now it's evening only starting at 5 p.m. daily.

Next up: they are taking romantic dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day, and, no, it is not too soon to start thinking about Valentine’s Day!

Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 5-10pm; Thursday - Saturday 5-11pm; Sundays 5-9pm. Happy hour, Monday - Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. enjoy two for 1 beer, wine and sangria at the bar. For more information or reservations visit: http://www.salaonhudson.com or call (914) 862-4100.

Own or know a business in Croton or Ossining you'd like to see featured here? Email me at krista.madsen@patch.com.