La Camelia in Mt Kisco (or is it Bedford Hills)

[Sharon]

We used to go to this beautiful Spanish restaurant for tapas all the time--usually a delicious selection for a weekend lunch--but hadn't been there for dinner in ages until last night. The place was deserted (I guess Tuesday is not a big night for them), but the food was terrific. Sardine fillets on endive leaves with a sweet/hot sauce for appetizer, zarzuela (seafood stew flavored with fennel and saffron), various fish dishes were all innovative, fresh, and delicious. Lots of vegetables, too--not just fish on a plate. Homemade apple tart--basically caramelized apples on a thin, crispy crust--was a wonderful and simple dessert. Another nice thing about this place is how pleasant it is in its perch over not-so-scenic 117 with its gas stations and fast food restaurants.

[Josh]

I don't know it, but it sounds interesting. Where is
it on 117?

[sharon]

It's up on the hill on the other side of the road from the Bazaar Mall/Manufacturer's Outlet Mall (not far from Homarus!). The turnoff, as you go north, is just past the Burger King. I swear La Camelia is way more attractive than its surroundings! Let me know what you think.

[Melisande]

La Camellia consistently produces good food.
We used to go all the time until we were exiled
to Joisey.
The owners/chefs are excellent.
The lobster and chicken are perfection.
We went for years and we NEVER had a bad meal.
It's technically in Mt. Kisco.
Look for the little sign just past Burger King on 117.
GO! GO! GO!!!!!

[Neil]

I believe Espana in White Plains (Rte 22) is owned by
the same people as La Camilia. Since Espana opened I
haven't been to La Camilia (I live much closer to
Espana). My impression is that La Camilia might be a
bit better, but I'd have to go back and do a more
extensive comparison (I never went for tapas at La
Camilia and I don't know whether Espana offers them).
Any thoughts on Espana vis a vis La Camilia?

[Josh Mittleman]

Thanks to everyone who recommended La Camelia. We went
there early Saturday evening, and it was quite good.
Rather expensive ($150 for three appetizers, four
entrees, and a $25 bottle of wine) and the service was
mediocre, especially when the place filled up, but the
food was worth it.

I recommend sticking with the appetizers; four of them
would make a nice meal for two people. Not that the
main dishes aren't good, but the appetizers are
splendid, and quite large enough to split. We had cold
marinated sardines with endive and an interesting
tomato-based sauce; lovely little red peppers stuffed
with quail; and chorizo baked in a crust and sliced
with vegetables. There were three or four others that
I would have liked to try.

For main dishes, we tried a lamb stew that was very
good, though not especially exciting; a swordfish steak
served with a light tomato sauce, which was OK; roast
quails stuffed with dates, which were delicious; and
grilled loin of lamb with an intriguing sauce the
details of which slip my mind. We should have tried
the paella; it looked awfully good.

They have an interesting list of Spanish wines, but
it's rather high-priced. Only a few bottles under $30.

The dessert cart looked good, but we ran out of time.

[Sharon A]

If you like their appetizers, try going on the weekend
for tapas, which is basically their appetizer menu,
augmented.