WPCNR MAN ABOUT TOWN By John F. Bailey. June 27, 2010:

The Livanos first family of Westchester restaurateurs latest creation, the Moderne Barn on Route 22 in Armonk, just North of Exit 3S and 3N on I-684 gives singles with Franklins in their wallets a new level of social interaction way above any local sports bar,  with plenty of conversation corners.

MODERNE BARN, ARMONK -- MAIN FLOOR MINGLING-- Seen from Balcony.

The Livanos Family opens another unique venue! From left, Nick Livano, Corina, John and Bill Livanos.

The Westchester horsey set will enjoy the atmosphere where barristers,realtors and any tycoons left who deal and the insulated hedge fund crowd with the genuine masculine polish of Manhattan sophistication and the diversity of dining tastes. I think will appeal to the culinary standards of the dine out for entertainment crowd.

Entrance (to right).

From the moment you walk in the joint, well you’re somewhere else!  Rugged sophistication radiates from the airy vaulted “barney” rich dark wood décor ceiling that welcomes you in. Globe gaslight design lights, futuristic wagon wheel chandeliers over the seductive close-in bar which will be a magnet for singles,  to the wine loft above your head, the French Quarter catwalk, and the circular sweep of staircase to dining balcony, to the daring touch of horse blanket upholstery in roomy, semi private “dining stalls,” it's a winning combination of country and city style.

The Wine Loft...and Catwalk.

Friends and customers and distinguished members of the press were guests of The Livanos family at a preview last week. Right away, impeccable, gliding genial wait staff, a trademark of Livanos’ establishments circulated with trays of tasty hors d’oeurvres, which were sophistications of taste by themselves just saying “Manhattan”: pistaccio crusted Roquefort Grapes; refreshing watermelon gazpacho, barn chopped salad, shrimp ceviche in cucumber cups, seared filet on fingerling chips.

Suburban Street's Jim Benerofe with Bill Livanos, often seen at City Limits in White Plains..(Official Friday Hangout of the White Plains Week News Team).

Then came the hotties: lamb lollipops with lavender honey, pancetta wrapped black mission figs, spinach feta spanakopita with really zesty tzatziki dip, and crab cake fritters to die for, garnishedn with whole grain mustard aoli.

Jim Benerofe of Suburban Street with Brenda Starr at one of the cosy booths fashioned of horse blankets by designer Kim Nathanson, daughter of Livanos designer Moris Nathanson.

Later entrees made their debut, which Brenda Starr and I were unable to stay for. The Moderne Barn features Livanos’ way with seafood, including tortilla crusted salmn, wild striped bass, day boat scallops and lobster cobb salad. There’s pasta: seafood risotto, mint pappardelle, orrechiette, ricotta gnocchi. Meats:the Barn Burger, Freebird Chicken, Veal Milanese and a stable of steaks. You can likely spend about $60  a person with a drink for appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

Moderne Barn features plenty of free parking (get that, White Plains, free parking) for your Rolls to you Corolla, no hitching posts for your horse, though.  It's reminiscent not in decor but in atmosphere of the legendary hangout on Long Island's North Shore, Andre's where Gold Coast hipsters, singles, and sophisticated mansion minglers hung out on Route 25A.