Here's your first look at Cafe Diem's second Rockland County location

West Nyack resident Louise Higgins is all about seizing the day. It's the theme, in fact, of her Pearl River restaurant Café Diem which opened in October 2022. So, when she heard there was a vacant spot in Piermont (the old Ned Kelly & Co. space), she seized the opportunity.

After signing the lease in January and doing a complete rebuild of the space (it previously had no kitchen), the restaurant will open June 6.

What's different about it?

The biggest difference is the backyard, which offers outdoor seating and a garden where they're growing herbs to use in their food and drinks ("Expect a lot of mojitos in the future," said Higgins of their mint). Aside from offering more space, Higgins hopes to use the backyard for private parties and events as well as cater to diners with dogs.

Another difference: There will be more vegan options and less of an emphasis on Irish specialties.

For the most part she's keeping it "status quo," with a reduced menu (for now) that will change depending on the feedback.

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Mostly, though, it's the same

"It's really very much the same," said Higgins of her second location. "Our emphasis remains focused on organic, farm to table American food as well as trying to fit in and cater to the community."

On the lunch menu: A host of salads, sandwiches, paninis, and sharables like curry chicken fries, chili dusted tortilla chips, pretzel bites and "frickles," dusted and deep-fried pickles with a chipotle barbecue aioli. Breakfast includes avocado toast on thick sourdough bread from Balthazar, French toast, Eggs Benedict, Mama's granola bowl and a Diem breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, American cheese, bacon, sausage or ham. Gluten-free bread is also available.

The head chef is Alberto Morales who worked at Del Frisco's in Manhattan for 20 years.

The restaurant ‒ this one is slightly larger due to its outdoor space making it about 38 seats ‒ also has the same sense of humor and fun with an assortment of gourmet coffees and creative cocktails, many of which can be made with a Cafe Diem logo or photo.

There's also lots of greenery, counter seating along the left and versatile wood tables that can transition into high-tops. Two of the best seats in the house are in the two front windows where you can watch the outside action on the sidewalk.

Look closely above the back right table (another good spot) and you'll spy a photo featuring Brad Pitt with Frankie Higgins (Higgins' cousin) who helped Pitt perfect the right Irish accent in the 1977 movie "The Devil's Own" with Harrison Ford. (Pitt, apparently, lived with him for a while.)

It's all very much a family affair at the restaurant with Irish-born John Higgins serving as general manager and mixologist and Nicole Duffy, the oldest of Higgins' five children, behind the design. As the creative director (and also a killer barista), the space was created to look similar to Pearl River with lots of faux plants, rustic touches, woven bamboo pendant lighting and a greenery-sided bar that's visible (and visually stunning) upon entry.

Why Piermont?

Higgins, who's originally from Ireland, said she was always struck by the quaintness and charm of Piermont. "I remember first coming to New York and driving across the Tappan Zee bridge and falling in love with this little town," she said.

She also chose Piermont because of the demand from her customers. "They practically begged for it," she said, as her original spot has limited seating. "Our vibe and menu has been well received in Pearl River so when we noticed an opening in Piermont, we jumped at it," she said.

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The cancer survivor, who left behind the confines of a corporate job to start a new career (she never owned a restaurant before opening two years ago) emphasized the importance of living each day to its fullest.

"You've got to seize the day," she said. "And so here we are."

If you go

Address: 458 Piermont Ave., 212-871-5385, cafediempr.com.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily ‒ for now ‒ with coffee starting at 8:30 a.m. Brunch all day Saturday and Sunday. Expect dinner in about eight weeks in addition to expanded hours.

Good to know: Dogs are welcome in the back garden. They also do catering.

Price: From $10 to $13 for lunch entrees; $8 to $16 for breakfast

Also opening

• Vino Amore should open June 6 or 7. The new spot, with two bars (one inside; one in back garden) will offer a variety of small plates with an Italian influence, and a full cocktail list in addition to a wide variety of wines.  The restaurant is owned by Oggi Ecchavassia, who owns six other eateries in both Rockland and Bergen County. The wine bar also features a secluded backyard. 474 Piermont Ave.
• Trata on the River, Piermont: The old Pier 701 Restaurant and Bar will reopen — after a serious gut renovation — as a new Greek Mediterranean spot sometime in July. The new spot is owned by longtime restaurateur AnnMaria Adinolfi, who owns Elia Restaurant and Annamaria's Deli in East Rutherford, New Jersey. 701 Piermont Ave.
• Trattoria Da Vittorio, Piermont: Vittorio Lanni, who owns Lanni's Cucina Verace in Sparkill, is opening a more casual spot featuring a variety of affettati, stuzzichini, pastas and pizza Napolitano sometime in August. 453 Piermont Ave.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.