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Keenan House Reopens In Ossining

OSSINING, N.Y. -- A popular Ossining pub that unexpectedly closed in January has reopened.

Ali Sahin is excited to take over Keenan House in Ossining.

Ali Sahin is excited to take over Keenan House in Ossining.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
William Bird is back tending bar at the re-opened Keenan House in Ossining.

William Bird is back tending bar at the re-opened Keenan House in Ossining.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron
Keenan House will feature artwork by Ossining artists.

Keenan House will feature artwork by Ossining artists.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Keenan House Kitchen and Tap Bar reopened on Tuesday under new ownership. The gastropub, at 199 Main St., was a popular spot in the village when it opened last year, but closed months later citing "unforseen circumstances."

Keenan House is now partially owned by Ali Sahin, who previously served as head waiter. William Bird, Keenan House's popular bartender, is back tending bar.

The restaurant will continue to offer new American cuisine that made it popular while including some Mediterranean dishes. Sahin and his co-owner Erdael Nehir both emigrated from Turkey.

Keenan House is also working with the Ossining Arts Council to stock the restaurant with paintings from Ossining artists.

"We've turned the restaurant into a local gallery," Bird said. "We feature 16 different artists right now but plan to change it over every couple months."

Sahin said he loved working at Keenan House and was sad to see it go.

"We had a really good team," Sahin said. "I love the restaurant business."

Sahin and his family have run restaurants in Turkey, where he has taken management classes.

He came to the United States in 2008 to learn English and promote his businesses and decided to stay after meeting his future wife.

"Everything changed," Sahin said.

While Sahin worked as a server, he dreamed of the opportunity to own his own restaurant.

"I'm so happy this has happened," Sahin said. "When Keenan House closed, I was very interested in taking over the restaurant."

Sahin didn't want to make many changes saying Keenan House is a great brand name that established itself in Ossining and Westchester.

Keenan House is currently in the midst of a soft opening and hopes to have its official grand re-opening in two months.

"We have an all new crew," Sahin explained. "We want to make sure we get everyone on the same page and used to working with each other."

Nehir said he has known Sahin for years and the restaurant seemed like a good fit.

"We love the concept and style," Nehir said. "This is great for Westchester."

Nehir said he recommends the grilled shrimp and skirt steak.

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