353 Restaurant Hosts Blues Jams Wednesday Nights

If you enjoy rock n’ roll and blues music, then 353 Restaurant & Lounge in Mount Kisco on a Wednesday night is the place to be. 

Every Wednesday night at around 9 p.m., about two dozen rock and blues musicians come to the 353 and blow the socks off patrons. They take turns rocking out on various instruments, and since many celebrities live in the area, there are often special guests. 

Some might remember the establishment as Brio, and some might even remember it as John’s Best, but the Sandolo family, the 40-year owners of the property, created what is now a beautiful and sleek establishment.  

Paul Sandolo, the owner and manager, grew up at the restaurant and is proud of what he has turned the building into. “John’s Best was great, some of my fondest memories are here, but the place needed a facelift,” he said.

The restaurant has undergone major changes since, and now has a European countryside feel to it. 

The Wednesday-night music scene is arranged by Gary Schwartz. He is a blues fanatic as well as a professional drummer and instructor. 

“We call this the Bring it on Home Blues Jam,” Schwartz says as he passes out raffle tickets for a Muddy Waters compact disc giveaway.

Schwartz went on to say, “There are about a hundred musicians in the area, and usually at least 20 of them will show up and take turns playing.” 

353 has been hosting a live blues jam every Wednesday night for a few years now, even before the restaurant used its current name.

“This has been going on for 15 plus years,” said Sandolo. “It used to be hosted at the old Tap House in Bedford Hills, but Gary contacted me and we worked it out so that he could do his blues jams here.” 

“The bar is usually packed on Wednesday nights and overflows into the dining area. These guys come from all around,” Sandolo said. 

One of the regular marquee acts to jam at 353 is drummer Tony T. Raina. Known popularly as Tony T., Raina is a 30-plus year Union Broadway musician, and has performed on “Saturday Night Live,” “American Idol,” and has done more than 30 years of Broadway musicals. 

He told Patch, “These nights are always great, we gotta’ get some dancers out here.” Raina went on to say that he came out of New York City specifically for blues night, and that he plays 353 as often as he can.

Sandolo mentioned that he is organizing dance nights, but his calendar is booked with live musical acts. 

Besides Tony T., some of the performers on Wednesday nights include harmonica player and singer Gary Canning, bassist Rich Kelly, and guitarists Bobby Washington and Marty Schectner. They jam, take turns soloing and interact with the bar goers and music enthusiasts that cheer them on. 

So if you are looking for a cool bar with great live music, come to the 353 Restaurant and Lounge on a Wednesday night. Located on 353 N. Bedford Rd. (Route 117), it is across from CVS and Blockbuster. The bar and eatery offers great service and a menu that won’t hurt your wallet.