New Gourmet Sandwich Shop Takes Take-Out to a New Level

The concept of gourmet sandwiches occurred to chef Eric Korn after he noticed that the culinary teams at catering companies often turned the food they prepared for events into sandwiches for their own lunches.

Using this idea for inspiration, Korn will open two Good-Life Gourmet eateries next week in Irvington and Scarsdale, both specializing in take-out food and catering.

Korn said the shops will focus on three types of service: gourmet lunchtime sandwiches, a "dinner-to-go" program featuring a different meal every day, and boutique-style customized catering. Table seating is not available at either location.

Customers can also text message orders; it will require pre-registration, but customers who sign up by September 15 will receive two free meals as a bonus. Orders can also be called in by phone from the train for nights when you're just too tired to cook.

Korn has made sure luncheon choices are not ho-hum, including on the menu: "gourmet" brisket and falafel sandwiches, lemon roasted asparagus panini with goat cheese, lobster salad, Bahn Mai shrimp wrap and matzo ball soup.

"Our sandwiches get the same care and consideration as an elegant dinner," Korn said.

Typical dinner-to-go choices are: French roasted chicken, pan roasted halibut or even herb-marinated lamb loin. And a morning phone call will reveal the dinner specialty of the day.

Flutternutters, made from marshmallows and peanut butter will be offered all day long. And, for the kids, healthful after-school snacks such as carrots and hummus, apples with honey, fresh bread with tomato sauce and milk and cookies will provide the perfect pick-me-up for hitting the books.  

Previously, Korn worked at Marybeth's Caterers in Greenwich, Connecticut, a Mount Kisco caterer, a gourmet-food shop in Scarsdale, and as a personal chef.

Now, one of Korn's clients from when he was a personal chef is his business partner.

He was raised in Hartford, Connecticut and attended South Windsor High School. He received a bachelor of arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he majored in economics.

During his sophomore year at college, Korn prepared Sunday dinners for himself and two friends. Word spread about his culinary prowess and by his senior year, 25 to 30 steady customers were feeding on his Sunday dinners.

Also while in college, Korn worked at an off-campus restaurant.

Following graduation, he took a summer job at a seafood restaurant in West Yarmouth on Cape Cod, but once summer was over and the tourists left, he decided to become a life insurance salesman.

After a couple of years, at the age of 23, he moved to New York City to further this career by working for New York Life. He lived with his 100-year-old grandmother in Yonkers, caring for her and cooking for his growing circle of new friends.

Korn soon realized food and family were his passions, so he enrolled at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. He graduated in 2008.

Korn and his fiancee Meredith, a New York City accountant, will marry on September 25 on a beach on Cape Cod. They met at a barbecue--naturally he was cooking--and became engaged on their third date.

"I always feel like I am cooking for family," Korn said. "It may be my real family or my food family; either way, it's still family."

Korn will manage the Irvington store, while his younger brother Will will be in charge of the Scarsdale eatery.  

Both shops are slated to open on Monday, August 16.

The Irvington shop is at 108 Main Street. Its hours: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 914-478-8080. www.good-lifegourmet.com.

The Scarsdale store is at 13 Spencer Place in the space formerly occupied by Michael's Gourmet.  Its hours: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 914-723-3024. www.good-lifegourmet.com.