In March 2024, freshly moved to Beacon, husband-and-wife team Michael Johnson and Shey Aponte opened their English dining spot Moreish in the Hudson Valley Food Hall. Named after a British term for food that’s so delicious you can’t help but want more, Moreish was a chef’s solution to the problem of homesickness. In April 2024, Johnson told Chronogram of the eatery’s concept, “It’s all the bits that I’ve missed being in America as a British expat.”
Success was relatively instant, prompting the couple to rent a Main Street storefront in Beacon last November. “We wanted a space that felt more like us,” Aponte says. “Our goal was to create an atmosphere that truly centered around our food— and we knew we needed our own space to bring that vision to life.”
After six months of gut renovations to expand the storefront’s kitchen and dining areas, running in tandem with operation of the Food Hall stall, Moreish threw open the doors to its brick and mortar on May 14. “The idea was to evoke the feeling of a cozy British cafe with a few modern touches, and we hope that comes through,” Aponte says. “Now, our guests can enjoy a warm pot of tea and our signature homemade scones in a relaxed, welcoming setting.”
The clean, streamlined interior has warm white walls and blonde wood floors with vintage mirrors and framed photographs lining the walls, punctuated by sconces that would be at home in your grandma’s house. Fresh flowers and mismatched vintage dinnerware liven up the space, while bentwood chairs lend the design a subtly sophisticated air.
Now a sit-down, full-service restaurant, Moreish 2.0 serves breakfast from 9am to 12pm and lunch and afternoon tea from 12pm to 5pm, Thursday through Monday. They’ve also introduced Sunday Roasts on select Sundays (follow their Instagram for details). The expanded menu of a full-service restaurant is a welcome challenge to Johnson, who attended culinary school at Sussex Downs College and then went on to work in kitchens throughout the UK for two decades. His resume includes Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury five-star hotels, airlines, and even stints at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. Owning his own restaurant is a dream a long time in the making.
“After months of designing and overseeing the layout of the space—including the complete construction of a brand-new kitchen—I’m incredibly excited to take Moreish to the next level,” chef Johnson says. “At the Food Hall, I faced limitations due to its style of service, but now I have the freedom to truly showcase the British classics I love and want to share with everyone. The menu I’ve designed is a reflection of who I am at heart—built around the classics I grew up eating, refined with an elegant touch.”
The new spot, at 207 Main Street, continues to offer Moreish’s signature British classics from sausage rolls ($15) to the full English breakfast ($26) with an expanded beverage menu that includes a full range of drinks, including British teas, coffee, and more. If you’re not a seasoned connoisseur of authentic British fare, some less common menu items to definitely seek out include bangers and mash (sausages and gravy with mashed potatoes, $26).
But fear not, there’s something for the meat-free crowd too. “One of our biggest priorities was growing the menu to include more options for vegetarians and vegans,” Aponte says. Take for example the gluten-free, meat free Coronation Grilled Cauliflower Steak, which is served with tikka masala mayonnaise, pickled radish, and cucumber ($17). The Ploughman’s Lunch is girl-dinner style dish served with a hunk of aged cheddar cheese, red onion marmalade, pickles, and a baguette and butter with a garden salad on the side ($22). Non-veggies should definitely try the fish and chips, made with beer-battered wild haddock fillet and served with handcut fries (ahem, chips), mushy peas, tartar sauce, and lemon ($28).
Don’t skip the sweet meal closer. “We’re especially excited about our new desserts, including a lovely Sticky Toffee Pudding,” Aponte says. Other dessert options include Moreish’s signature Banoffee pie, made with a biscuit base, toffee, bananas, whipped cream, and crumbled Cadbury’s chocolate ($12). The Knickerbocker glory is the British take on an ice cream sundae, served here with vanilla and strawberry ice cream, fresh fruit compote, raspberry coulis, whipped cream, and chopped hazelnuts ($10).
If you happen to swing through in the afternoon, the $45 afternoon tea service is a treat with three tiers of finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream and jam, and a selection of cakes, with a pot of tea, of course. A beer and wine license in the works, as are plans for outdoor seating. “Looking ahead, we’re considering dinner service on select days as well as hosting pop-up events,” Aponte says.
“Moreish is about sophistication and excellence, with a focus on sourcing the absolute best quality ingredients,” Johnson says. “I work closely with a range of suppliers to ensure the level of quality I believe Beacon deserves. I think Beacon is truly amazing, and this is my taste of Britain, brought to you with care and dedication.”
It’s been a whirlwind year, and for now, the duo are still getting their feet under them. “Right now, we’re just thrilled to be open and focused on making Moreish a special place for people to come and unwind,” Aponte says. “Authentic, homemade British food can be hard to find in this area, and we hope to offer a taste of home for expats living in New York—while also winning over folks who may have never tried British cuisine before.”
Moreish is open Thursday through Sunday 9am to 5pm.
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