THERE’S AN AIR OF CASUAL LUXURY throughout the new 250-seat Heritage Food + Drink, opened in mid-August in Wappingers Falls by Jesse Camac, a former partner in Chef Zak Pelaccio’s Hospitality Group (Fatty Crab, Fatty ‘Cue). “Heritage, simply put, is a celebration of New York and all things local,” the new restaurant’s website touts. Much of the menu is sourced from the region, including from Camac’s family-owned orchard and farm in Milton.

Executive Chef Shawn Burnette, who has cooked alongside culinary all-stars like Sean Brock and April Bloomfield and was most recently chef at Butterfield in Accord (Ulster County), is at home preparing dishes like whiskey-soaked ribs, beer can chicken or wood-fired steak with ember-roasted mushrooms, vegetables and horseradish cream. The highlight is on meat cooked “slow and low” and finished on a state-of-the-art wood-burning grill, all in view from the dining room. With 72 hours’ notice and a reservation for six or more, Burnette will prepare a whole smoked suckling pig, leg of lamb or pork shoulder, served family style.

With two bars, an outdoor patio, two private event rooms and two main dining rooms, seating options are plentiful. Statement light fixtures, tufted leather booths, marbled walls and a rich, signature black-and-yellow color scheme set a refined aesthetic throughout.

At the bar, beverage director Jessica Gonzales, formerly head bartender of New York City’s The NoMad and Death & Company, shakes and stirs an array of specialty cocktails featuring house-made juices and syrups. The “Orchard Run” is a fresh pick for fall, with bonded applejack, bourbon, ginger, apple juice and more. A selection of international wines by the glass and local craft beers and ciders top off the drink menu.

Heritage Food + Drink
Sun-Thu 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm
1379 Rt 9, Wappingers Falls
(845) 298-1555
heritagefooddrink.com