Déjà vu: Name Change Expected for Italian Restaurant Opening in June, 2014 at the Bedford Post

In the spring of 2007, a 125-seat dining room, one of two restaurants at the Bedford Post (previously called Hoppfield's Inn), was in renovation prior to reopening. On an April evening, actor Richard Gere, one of the three co-owners of the restaurant, appeared on the CBS  “Late Show with David Letterman.”  

During the broadcast, Gere said that he and his partners Carey Lowell (his wife) and Pound Ridge neighbor Russell Hernandez had named the restaurant "Squirrelly Acres." 

Apparently that didn't go over well and before opening day, the three partners changed the restaurant name to the Farmhouse.

Déjà vu

A name change before opening day again looms ahead, this time by the Altamarea Group, owner of the Farmhouse's replacement, called up to now "Campagna." The name will be changed to "Campagna at the Bedford Post Inn," a company spokesperson indicated on April 29, 2014. Campagna is Italian for Countryside.

The change avoids confusion with a restaurant called Campagna Pizzeria & Restaurant located in a small shopping center in Shrub Oak, about 14 miles away. 

Contacted by Patch on April 29, Antoinetta Macera of Campagna Pizzeria & Restaurant said they were aware of the similarity of the names but doubted that legal action if taken would be successful. She is the sister of Campagna Pizzeria & Restaurant owner Freddy Fusco.

The Altamarea Group said it had signed a long-term lease with Richard Gere and Russell Hernandez.

Chef Michael White, a co-owner of the Altamarea Group, will oversee the operation of the kitchen, joined by P.J. Calapa, Executive Chef at two of the organization's restaurants, Al Fiori and Costata. Chef de Cuisine Devin Bozkaya will be in charge of daily operations.

"The Bedford Post Inn is such a special and beautiful property, and it fits well with our other unique properties and our high culinary standards," said Ahmass Fakahany, CEO of Altamarea Group.

Altamarea Group, 415 West Broadway, New York, NY 10012, 347-854-0150, www.altamareagroup.com