Rock Wall owners started at bottom

rock wall pub
(Photo by Jason Kaplan) - Bernadette Amodio and Maryssa Denisar worked their way up through the restaurant business and now co-own The Rock Wall Pub & Grub.

The Cornwall Local and The News of the Highlands continues its monthly series on food and beverage establishments in the area. 

Name of establishment:  
The Rock Wall Pub & Grub

Date opened:  
April 2, 2018

Owners:  
Bernadette Amodio and Maryssa Denisar.

Why did you get into the restaurant business:

Bernadette:  “I’ve been in the restaurant business for many years. I first started in the mall. I was a waitress at Mama Brava. One of my friends worked there and she got me the job there. Eventually, I just moved up the ladder. Then I became the manager of the Blue Martini on the riverfront. “ 

Maryssa:  “When I was 15 my dad told me to get a job, so I got a job being a busgirl at the Blue Martini. I stayed there for 10 years. I moved up to bartending. I came here and then became the owner.”

How did you get your start:  

“When this re-opened from Tom’s Tavern to The Rock Wall, it was one of our friends who opened it. We helped her get it up and running and worked here for about five years. When she decided to sell, she offered it to us. It was a no-brainer. Owning a restaurant was always the final goal.”

Do you own any other restaurants:

“No. Not yet. We talk about it sometimes. Potentially there could be a Rock Wall II.” 

How did the restaurant

get its name:

“We didn’t name it. The owner wanted to create a wall of all rock. I took the idea and called it The Rock Wall. The long wall to the right when you walk in the front door was supposed to be rock from top to bottom. Then we decided to do half a wall to the entire place instead.”

What type of food

do you serve:  

“Pub Food.”

What are popular items

on your menu:  

“We do very well with wings and burgers.” 

What is your signature:  

“Our wings with Rickie Bobby sauce. It’s a medium hot sauce mixed with a garlic parmesan sauce. We put it on our burgers, sliders, and wings.”

Why should visitors to the Hudson Valley stop at 

your restaurant:  

“It’s a very friendly place. It’s very homey. The food is delicious. Our clientele is awesome. You always feel comfortable when you walk in the door. Our employees make you feel very comfortable. It’s a very down-to-earth place; very cozy.”

Location:  
55 Academy Avenue, Cornwall-on-Hudson

Hours: 
The kitchen is open from noon to 10 p.m. The bar is open until 2 a.m. on weekends. 

Phone number:  
(845) 534-3344