Disclosure: RIOS hosted our dinner. These are my own thoughts and favorites.
An evening around the table at RIOS Modern Italian in Thornwood.
You know I love a cocktail. Give me a martini with olives, a table full of friends, and Italian food to share, and you have my attention. Our night at RIOS Modern Italian had plenty of material for the camera—and yes, the camera ate first.
First, the setting
The bar makes an impression: a gleaming counter, rows of bottles, and a richly textured backdrop. At the table, white linens, little gold lamps, and bright flowers set the scene. It’s a dress-up-a-little, settle-in-for-the-evening kind of setting.
A table made for sharing
The bread basket deserved its own photo, with thick, airy pieces alongside crisp flatbread. Then came a spread of mozzarella and tomatoes, fried calamari with red sauce and lemon, and a board of cured meat, cheeses, olives, grapes, and peppers. This is where dining with a group comes in handy: more dishes on the table, more to talk about.
And the food kept coming
There were platters of salad and pasta, followed by fish and meat dishes, including salmon and a mushroom-topped meat platter. The family-style presentation made for a full table—and a full camera roll.
I’m sharing a look at the evening here; the restaurant’s current menu is linked below for exact dish names and descriptions.
About that dessert board…
“We’ll just have a little something” looks very different when it arrives on a board this size. Cannoli, tiramisu squares, little cake bites, strawberries, and a centerpiece topped with whipped cream and a pink candle turned dessert into a photo opportunity of its own.
I have an accounting degree, but I’m not calculating how many bites were on that board. Some things are better left uncounted.
A night out is also about the people around the table—the conversation between courses and the reason you finally put the phone down. This evening gave us plenty of both food photos and time together.
Plan your visit
RIOS Modern Italian
886 Commerce Street, Thornwood, NY 10594
(914) 769-4515
Official website · Current menu · Reservations
Connecting cool people to cool things—and occasionally, a very photogenic martini.
