My Cousin’s, located at 954 US-6, Mahopac, New York, has announced its closure. The well-known upscale restaurant will shut down in June 2026, after just five years of operation. David Gallo, owner of My Cousin’s, founded the restaurant to honor the memory of his cousin, Jason G. Shenkman (Jay).
My Cousin’s too close in Mahopac
My Cousin’s, owned by David Gallo, is known for upscale American cuisine in a polished yet relaxed setting. In 2023, the restaurant was named Best Restaurant in Putnam County.
David shared the closure news on social media and wrote a heartfelt farewell message. He said, “After five incredible years, My Cousin’s will be closing its doors at the end of June.”
In the post, he mentioned that opening the restaurant has been the best decision of his life. He also added, “It has been an honor to serve this community. An absolute honor.”
David encourages the community to visit and enjoy a meal before the closure. “We hope that you can continue to join us over the next two months for dinner, for brunch, or for a cocktail. Bring those friends or cousins that you never got to share Grandma’s Cauliflower Patties or Aunt Chrissy’s Meatballs with,” the post read.
Apart from My Cousin’s, David also operated The Chophouse Grille in Mahopac from 2012 to 2015. Later, David worked as a waiter at Del Posto, a Michelin-star restaurant owned by Lidia and Joe Bastianich. At Del Posto, he learned the precision required in Michelin-star dining. He later brought that same approach to My Cousin’s.
Story Behind the Restaurant
My Cousin’s was founded to honor David’s late cousin, Jay. In the closure announcement post, David reflected on the original idea behind the restaurant and shared, “When we opened, I shared what I hoped My Cousin’s would be: a place that exemplified what my cousin Jay brought to hospitality and to life. He was kind, warm, welcoming, and just excited to be there.”
He also mentioned, “Jay had the gift of making every person feel like the most important person in the world. If even a fraction of the people who walked through our doors left feeling that way, seen, welcomed, and full, then we did justice to the man behind the name.”
My Cousin’s was a dream project for David and his cousin Jay, who passed away before it could come to life. David opened the restaurant in 2021 in Jay’s memory.
In the post, he concluded with a thank-you note to the community and said, “This chapter is closing, but it has been a beautiful one. Thank you for filling our tables, for recommending us to your friends and family, and for making My Cousin’s feel exactly what we always wanted it to be: a place to fill your stomach and raise your spirits.”
As the restaurant prepares to say goodbye, it will leave a significant gap in the Mahopac dining community. My Cousin’s has built its reputation on upscale dining and warm service.
