SHARE

For Westchester Chef, 'Happiness' Is Serving Free Meals On Thanksgiving '

No Thanksgiving plans? No worries.

Bonnie Saran, the owner of Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Bonnie Saran, the owner of Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Photo Credit: Katherine Pacchiana
Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Photo Credit: Facebook
Mimosas were poured for the first time in 2016 at the free Thanksgiving buffet at Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Mimosas were poured for the first time in 2016 at the free Thanksgiving buffet at Little Drunken Chef in Mount Kisco.

Photo Credit: Little Drunken Chef Facebook
Little Drunken Chef's free Thanksgiving brunch.

Little Drunken Chef's free Thanksgiving brunch.

Photo Credit: Little Drunken Chef Facebook

And no payment either.

Bonnie Saran, the chef/owner of Little Drunken Chef is once again, as is her tradition, opening the doors to her Mount Kisco restaurant for those looking for camaraderie and a meal.

Come Thanksgiving day, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. anyone who walks through the door will be treated to an early afternoon feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, chicken tikka masala, ham, dinner rolls, mimosas, apple pie, rice pudding, and more.

This is Saran's sixth year of offering a complimentary brunch which began with Little Kebab Station, her first and smallest restaurant in 2011. She also owns Little Spice Bazaar and Little Crepe Street in Mount Kisco as well as Little Mumbai Market in Pleasantville (known collectively as "The Littles").

Saran said she understands the feeling of being alone -- and sometimes depressed -- come the holidays; it's how she felt herself years ago.

Because she believes everyone deserves to be happy and pampered this time of year -- "no matter what" -- she does her best to please those who wander in. She even asks folks to spread the news -- the more the merrier and no one is turned away.

"Our doors are always open," she told Daily Voice last year. "We have people who come in who are really well off but they celebrate Thanksgiving with us because they're alone," she said.

No reservations are necessary. Nor does she need volunteers (a frequent request, she said).

Saran says the day is part of community building and something she looks forward to every year. "If, as a team, we can change how a person feels for a few hours that is what is true happiness," she said. 

"A smile on someone's face makes it all worth it for me."

Little Drunken Chef is at 36 Main St., Mount Kisco, 914-242-8800.

to follow Daily Voice Eastchester and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE