Rebranded White Plains restaurant opens with focus on 'robust' agave cocktails

What had been the 2-year-old Archie Grand on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains is now El Primo, an agave bar with a Latin American focus.

The restaurant, which opened July 1 and translates to "cousin," has the same ownership as before, namely Brazen Fox owners Declan Rainsford and Rory Dolan (who also owns Rory Dolan's in Yonkers), but with the addition of Daniel Cahill, formerly of The Blind Pig of Westchester and OMC in White Plains.

Cahill and his team — all of whom came from The Blind Pig — hope to educate Westchester diners about sustainable agave cocktails, which Mexican farmers have made the same way for hundreds of years. El Jolgorio Mezcal is one of the limited editions Cahill is standing behind and hoping to educate folks about.

"We want to bring these to the forefront and give the spirit and the heritage of the families the platform they deserve," he said.

What's different about El Primo?

The layout of the 200-seat space is the same — same large bar, same large curved banquettes, same semi-private dining room in the back — but with more neutral colors, the addition of a mural (with another to come) and a lighter color scheme. The banquettes, once blue and gold, are now pink. Straw fringed and copper lights hang overhead. And tables have been sanded down to a paler wood.

The menu is also different — no more pizzas and ricotta meatballs. Instead you'll find Latin American cuisine such as ceviche, yucca fries, lots of chips and dips, skirt steak with chimicurri sauce, branzino and more.

Plus, those drinks....

Agave rules

Cahill, a master mixologist, said he's gotten a lot more into agaves thanks to his team, the majority of whom are Latin American. He's not just interested in their flavors, though that's a big part, but also the culture behind them.

"The more you know about these agaves (mezcal) the more you appreciate them," he said. "They're all so vastly different and that's what's so interesting about them."

Some versions, he explained, are more like wine with each having their own story and their own flavor. And all are additive-free.

"Agave is the most robust thing you can ferment on the planet," he said.

Along with agave pairings, seminars and tastings, which he plans to offer, the bar will feature six house palomas, six margaritas and six special agave cocktails. (Whatever you do, make sure you order a drink with an ice cube stamp saying either "Hola" or "El Primo.")

Said Cahill: "We think we're offering something very different to White Plains and we're looking forward to welcoming the community."

If you go

Address: 166B Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, 914-861-0400

Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday with a late night menu from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturday, including brunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Sunday, including brunch, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Happy Hour is Monday to Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Good to know: Outdoor dining, with a tiki-like bar cart on the front sidewalk and a bar in the back garden, are to come.

And stay tuned: There are plans for agave tastings and seminars.

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.