Toast, a new brunch-to-dinner restaurant and wine bar in Jeffersonville, brings people together to celebrate good food and one another.
“Toast was created to be a community gathering spot where everyone is welcome and can celebrate themselves and one another as they are,” says Michael Gallagher, one of the co-owners of Toast.
Toast officially opened its doors in Jeffersonville in November 2024. The three co-owners – Michael Gallagher, Ryan Fuller, and Walter Rumaldo – all came to the Hudson Valley in different ways. Gallagher and his husband, John, purchased a farm in Sullivan County a few years ago and quickly fell in love with the area. Fuller made the move from Pennsylvania to Manhattan in 2023 and, after Gallagher “begged” him to come and share his expertise in opening a restaurant, he found his way to Jeffersonville. Fuller brings a wealth of experience in hospitality and community-building to Toast, which he hopes will serve as a space where neighbors and visitors alike can come together, share stories, and enjoy good company. As for Rumaldo, he traveled to upstate New York in 2024 and took a chance at a new job – the head kitchen manager at Toast.
“It was serendipitous,” Gallagher says. “We have a varied background of food, hospitality, and (unsuccessful-yet-fun) farming and use our collective talents to support one another.”
But it’s not just the three owners who are responsible for bringing Toast to life. In fact, Gallagher, Fuller, and Rumaldo credit a whole community for turning their vision into reality, including their friends at R52Home, who led the design; the Jeffersonville Bake Shop, which helped source baked goods; and Smith Farms, Diehl Farms, Three Egg Farms, Cuppie Cake Desserts, Terra, and the many other businesses that they have partnered with to be their providers.
“Everyone has put their heart into making this a home, and we are so proud to work with them,” Gallagher shares.
Creating a welcoming space
“We aim to have Toast be not just everyone’s kitchen, but everyone’s living room – a place of community, celebration, and fun,” Gallagher observes.
Toast certainly achieves this goal with its warm, cozy, and eclectic interior. The bar area boasts funky cocktail-printed wallpaper, and two large lamps flank either end of the bar top itself, giving the feeling that you’re in a friend’s house rather than a restaurant. The dining area gives the same vibe, with small, intimate tables and comfortable leather chairs.
Being located in Jeffersonville was also important for Gallagher, Fuller, and Rumaldo, who note that it is “surely one of the most wonderful villages in the area.”
“With authentic people, lovely shops, and picturesque views captivating anyone who comes, it reminds each of us of home and is a magically rejuvenating space that enables us to provide the same for our guests,” Gallagher shares.
On the menu
Toast’s menu changes seasonally and is rooted in partnerships with local farm providers and businesses. Brunch is certainly everyone’s go-to meal at Toast, but Chef Rumaldo’s chicken parm and fresh creations keep guests coming back beyond the a.m. hours. The brunch menu features something for everyone – from pancakes and egg skillets to sandwiches, soups, and chili. Brunch cocktails also spotlight spirits from Pollinator Spirits from Catskill Provisions. “Fresh from the honey bee and supporting the bee-hive community,” Toast states of the nearby brand on its website.
Central to the restaurant’s ethos is utilizing local businesses, not just for the environmental benefits, but also because the team behind it believes in “rising tides lifting all ships, and how taking care of one another is important.” Toast is delighted to partner with 17 different local providers to source their food and are “constantly seeking to expand that list.”
Supporting the community
Another tenet of Toast’s ethos is creating a supportive space for the local community. Currently, it offers a low-cost after-school club for children in grades k-6, providing teacher-led activities, fun, education, and community.
“We are also proud to offer our space for community events, programming, and meals. Indeed, we offer a community meal program, where customers purchase ‘pay it forward’ gift cards for anyone who is food insecure to come in and use,” Gallagher explains. “Toast marks our food down to cost so the guest may get the full value of the gift card. We strongly believe everyone deserves a healthy meal and a place to celebrate good food and one another.”
With the weather finally warming up, the owners are looking forward to opening its outside dining space for summer. The team plans to host more events at Toast this spring and summer, including “Pink Pony Club,” a night of fun, laughs, music, and wine inspired by the hit Chappell Roan song.
“Our goal is not to stand apart, but rather to work together. We celebrate our neighbors and friends – new and old – with our success measured in building community, everyone having fun, and enjoying a great meal.”
Toast is located at 4893 NY-52 in Jeffersonville. Keep up with them on Instagram @toastjeffersonville or online toastjeffersonville.com, and call 845.482.2570 or email hello@toastjeffersonville.com with any questions.
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