Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
A hub for music lovers and food lovers alike (because who doesn’t love dinner and a show?), Uncle Cheef is one of those places that instantly becomes a favorite after the first visit. Six-time GRAMMY Award winner and The Roots saxophonist Ian Hendrickson-Smith (a.k.a. Uncle Cheef) and his wife Jenny Larisey bring a much-needed slice of NYC’s jazz scene, craft cocktails and delicious cuisine to the Hudson Valley.
And if that’s not enough, the space is acoustically designed for the best listening experience, with every element, from ceiling tiles to custom shutters, carefully considered. Plus, their state-of-the-art recording studio, which Uncle Cheef has meticulously built and refined over the last three decades, records every performance, creating what he says is a “very specific kind of old-school-meets-new-school sound; it’s a funky clarity.” And if you can’t make it to a live performance, Uncle Cheef has five high-definition cameras that live stream performances on Vimeo every Friday and Saturday, transforming this neighborhood spot into a global music destination.
Our Advice
When you visit, keep an eye out for the stained-glass Eastern bluebirds, handmade by Larisey’s dad. They serve as a tribute to the legendary saxophonist Charlie Parker, affectionately known as “Bird.” If you can accurately tell them how many bluebirds are in the club, they’ll pay for your evening.
Runner-up: Lucy’s Garage, Pleasantville
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
