Meet the Chef: Manny Lozano of Bistro Rollin

Arthur and Barbara Bratone, after a lifetime of passion for food and cooking, came out of retirement to start a French restaurant in Pelham. With their son Paul and executive chef Manny Lozano, they opened Bistro Rollin in June 2009. 

Before retiring about nine years earlier, Arthur owned a company that sold oil and construction equipment worldwide; he also served on the board of the American University of Paris for 15 years. Barbara, who retired at about the same time, spent many years helping not-for-profit organizations get started, ran the American Indian College Fund for 10 years and headed an art foundation in Southern France for 10 years. 

Ten candidates were interviewed by the Bratone's for the chef's job, the field was narrowed down to two and after a cook-off, Manny Lozano was hired to head the kitchen staff.

Lozano, a Mamaroneck resident for the past three years, grew up in White Plains. Taught how to cook by his mother, he could prepare an omelet for breakfast when he was eight years old. 

Like many of his classmates, he worked after school at a neighborhood restaurant and after graduation, he joined the kitchen staff at Doral Arrowwood in Rye Brook. Promotions followed. 

He went on to cook at some of New York City's finest restaurants including March where he worked for Chef Wayne Nish, at Aureole under Chef Charlie Palmer, and for Chef/Owner Michel Bergougnoux at L'Absinthe, where he was the sous chef for six years.

Best-selling entrees at Bistro Rollin include:

• Steamed mussels and French fries (Moules frites). Cooked with white wine, Provencal, curry and beer broth ($23)
• Sliced Long Island roasted duck breast. Served with sweet potaoes, Cippolini onions and asparagus with a passionfruit gastrique ($28)
• Hanger steak with shallots and French fries ($25)
• Lemon pepper fettuccini. Served with asparagus, basil and lemon sauce ($22)
• Bistro Rollin burger with French fries. Comes with onion confit, pancetta and Gruyere ($16)

Coming soon: A movie, dinner and a discussion

In October, Bistro Rollin will introduce a monthly Tuesday evening film discussion program and prix-fixe dinner. Participants will be invited to comment about a movie currently showing at the The Picture House Regional Film Center in Pelham, first operated as a movie theater in 1921. Black Orpheus, a 1959 film made in Brazil by French director Marcel Camus, will be the first film to be studied. Dinner will be served starting about 8:15 p.m. 

Any bottle of wine appearing on the wine list can be ordered at dinner on Tuesdays for half-price and guests who bring their own bottles on Wednesdays will not be charged a corking fee. 

Prix-fixe meals are offered at Bistro Rollin including a three-course lunch at $22, a three-course dinner at $30 on Sunday through Thursday, and Sunday brunch at $25 or $30 depending on entree selected. Both brunch services include a free mimosa, Bloody Mary or glass of champagne. Tax and gratuity are not included in the prix-fixe meal costs. 

Arthur Bratone's favorite choices for his dinner are oysters on the half shell with mignonette and cocktail sauce as an appetizer and roast chicken which changes seasonally and currently comes with fava beans, wild mushrooms and an onion soubise ($25).

Arthur and Barbara, who is originally from White Plains, live in Pelham; Arthur has been a Pelham resident for more than 45 years.

Approximately twenty vibrantly colored, museum-grade paintings, varying in subject, adorn the walls and are available for purchase. Painted by Russian-born, acclaimed artist Alexander Rutsch, a Pelham resident who passed away about 14 years ago, the artwork is on loan from his estate. 

Bistro Rollin is named after the street Arthur and Barbara lived on in Paris: Rue Rollin. The restaurant has 90 seats inside and it can accommodate 24 guests on its sidewalk patio, weather permitting.

Bistro Rollin, located at 142 Fifth Ave., Pelham, is open for lunch on Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2:30 p.m. Dinner is served on Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday brunch is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The restaurant is closed on Monday. 914-633-0780. www.bistrorollin.com