Paul and Kathy Rivet, owners of Five Corners Cafe in downtown Old Forge. Photo by Marianne Christy
Restaurateurs Paul and Kathy Rivet have been bringing a fresh approach to area dining for over 15 years and have developed a reputation for combining simple ingredients to create some of the most inventive and memorable dishes around.
Their journey into the local restaurant scene began in 1996 when the young couple—following a post-college stint in Boston—decided to move to Old Forge and run historic Van Auken’s Inne.
Paul, an Old Forge native and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, quickly gained a following for his original, seasonal menus and the restaurant soon became a dining hotspot.
But when their son, Jack was born, they sold the inne and reemerged in January 2005 as Five Corners Café at the busy corner in Old Forge, where they began serving breakfast and lunch daily, and specialty dinners on Monday nights.“When Jack was so young we wanted to be home as a family in the evenings. We offered the Monday night dinners to keep our foot in the door until the time was right,” Kathy said.
Now that Jack is older, the “right time” has arrived. When the couple opens the doors to the café on Thursday, May 10, they will return to what they love best—serving dinner.
Paul and Kathy spent the winter re-vamping the interior of the restaurant to reflect its casual culinary theme. The new configuration, which still seats up to 45, allows accommodation for larger parties.
The long breakfast counter has been transformed to a more spacious dining area. A small bar, made of reclaimed barn wood, exudes a casual modern feel.
The Rivets will continue to offer wine and beer, including beer on tap, specialty craft beers and a well balanced wine list.
The new dinner menu highlights Paul’s creative dishes—all in the $6 to $19 range—and features freshly baked bread and some fan favorites, too.
Much to the delight of the restaurant’s Facebook followers, spicy chicken hash will remain— a no-brainer decision by the couple after viewing multiple postings and daily countdowns as to when customers could again enjoy the signature meal.
And though the restaurant has been reinvented, the Rivets’ basic concept remains the same— to offer a creative menu with fresh, well prepared ingredients.
Initial hours will be Thursday and Sunday from 4:30 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m., with dinner being served from 5 p.m. Walk-in customers are graciously welcome as reservations will not be taken.
