Ultimate Westchester Restaurants 2006

[foodrink]

I saw this on another board and thought it would be fun.

The concept is simple: everyone is asked to list, in rank order, your top 5 restaurants in Westchester County that you would recommend to houndly out-of-town visitors or to chowfriends for a special occasion. Since we worship at the altar of deliciousness, your ranking should be based 75% on food and 25% on everything else.

To join the fun, reply with a list of ONLY your top 5 choices. Responses with more than 5 choices will not be included. Replies with fewer than five choices will be tabulated. Your entries will be weighted arithmetically, 5 points for your #1 choice; 4 for #2, & so forth. A simple list will suffice, but any & all explanation is welcome.

[JoanieBalonie]

1) The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry (Have been trying to tolerate (like?) tripe for decades and Dave DiBari finally made a tripe dish I LOVED!)
2) Dolphin (Yonkers waterfront): Great cast iron bucket of mussels with white wine garlic sauce!
3) The Tap House, Tuckahoe
4) Tyrinda Thai, Sleepy Hollow
5) Chutney Masala, Irvington

-----
The Tap House
16 Depot Square, Tuckahoe, NY 10707

[Dingod]

I've only been in the area for 8 months so this list is only from my limited experiences thus far:

1) Tarry Lodge-- Port Chester
2) Aquario-- West Harrison (This only makes the list for the food-- the service here is infuriating.)
3) Santorini's-- Tarrytown
4) Tortilleria Los Gemelos-- Port Chester
5)Umami-- Croton-on-Hudson

-----
Tortilleria Los Gemelos
167 Westchester Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573

Aquario Restaurant
141 East Lake Street West, Harrison, NY

Santorini's
165 Atlantic Ave, Lynbrook, NY 11563

Tarry Lodge
18 Mill St, Port Chester, NY 10573

[menton1]

Underhills-- Bronxville
Jardin du Roi-- Chappaqua
Lexington Square-- Mt Kisco
Red Hat-- Irvington
Half Moon-- Dobbs

-----
Half Moon
1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

Lexington Square Cafe
510 Lexington Avenue, Mount Kisco, NY 10549

[Olivia V.]

Bedford Post Inn
(Route 121), Bedford Village
www.richard-gere.us/bedfordpostinnrestaurant.html

Toscana Ristorante
Main st. in Eastchester
www.toscana-ristorante.com

[IAMWRIGHT]

Tup restaurant's in Westchester County (my vote)
1. Carvela's - Tarrytown
2, Cafe Tandoor - Tarrytown
3. Morton's - White Plains
4. City Limits - White Plains

[touchdown]

This is a tough one, but my 5 westchester favorites are, in no order:

Iron Horse Grill
Blue Hill
Red Hat
Buffet de la Gare
Zuppa

[marbet815]

1. Red Hat (Irvington)
2. Morgans Fish House (Rye)
3. Antipasti (White Plains)
4. Espana (Larchmont)
5. X20 (Yonkers)

[Kobe]

Enzo's in Mamaroneck
Tre Angelina in White Plains
Season's in White Plains
Cafe Mirage in Port Chester
La Bocca in White Plains

[foodieinrye]

1) Blue Hills, Tarrytown
2) Harvest on Hudson, Hastings-on-Hudson
3) Hajime, Harrison (best sushi around)
4) Emilios, Harrison
5) Morgans Fish House, Rye

[rkaene]

From the northern reaches
Ocean House In Croton
India House in Montrose
Thai Angels in Mt. Kisco
Lefteris Tarrytown/Mt. Kisco
Blue Hill

[RacerXAX]

Peter Lugars (my Steakhouse Benchmark reference to the best (not in Westchester))
Tavern 1899 - Yonkers Raceway
Ruth's Chris Steak House - TarryTown
Willett House, Port Chester - Steak House
Giulio's - Yonkers
Tara's - Yonkers (Irish place - great burgers)

[erikzen]

This thread seems to have died, but I thought I'd bump it. I honestly don't eat out that much in Westchester as we just can't afford to go out AND pay the babysitter, but I'll list some of my all time favorites. They are not in any particular order because they are such different places.

1) Lusardi's - This is high end Italian. Can compare to any top restaruant for quality of food and service (as well as price). Larchmont
2) Hunan Larchmont - Favorite Chinese restaurant in the sound shore area. Larchmont
3) Emelios - Another high end Italian style restaurant in Harrison.
4) High Street Roadhouse - Favorite bar food restaurant with a cajun feel. Rye
5) Sonora - Pan Latin food in Port Chester

Other interesting places

6) Pieros - Family style Italian. Port Chester
7) Kneaded Bread - Not a restaurant but the best artisanal bread around. Good baked goods too. Love their muffins and the almond croissant is delicious especially when the custard inside is still warm. Port Chester
8) Walter's Hot Dogs - Best hot dogs on the planet. Be prepared to wait online. Palmer Avenue, Larchmont/Mamaroneck border.

[dolores]

erikzen, since this thread died, one of the best Italian restaurants in Westchester opened up -- Spadaro's in New Rochelle.

When you're looking for a special treat, try them out. You won't be sorry.

[marbet815]

5. Moscato
4. Eastchester Fish Gourmet
3. Plates
2. Harvest (at least for the setting and the view)
1. Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Has anyone been to Peter Xavier's place X20? Has anyone been to One in Irvington where Solera use to be?

[GIOny]

Here are some thrreads on X20 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/413236 ; http://www.chow.com/topics/407692 and here is a thread on One http://www.chow.com/topics/360700

[MikiLovesSugar]

One in Irvington was amazing!
http://www.restaurantoneny.com

[stephsu]

1. Blue Hill at Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills)
2. Harvest on Hudson (Hastings on Hudson)
3. Iron Horse Grill (Pleasnatville)
4. Sushi Mike's (Dobbs Ferry)
5. Coromandel (New Rochelle)

Totally disagree with Chiboust in Tarrytown, that place is so over-rated, the service is terrible, it's over priced. I don't get it. Also Mighty Joe Young's. Over priced and the food is just average.

[regondi]

New Rochelle is an interesting town for eating. Coromandel has improved steadily and can be excellent. Also in New Rochelle one shouldn't miss Grand Rodeo on North Ave.. It's by far the best Mexican in town, and occasionally approaches spectacular. Cholo's Kitchen (Peruvian) has some good dishes--try the various ceviches. Unfortunately, their Jalea, which used to involve a whole fish-plus, is now only the plus--bits of fried fish, fried squid, fried yucca. The most overrated in town are Macmenamins and Sterling Inn. Macmenamins on weekends, with its overcrowded and noisy dining area upstairs, can be like sitting in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium. I've eaten there 4 or 5 times and the food was average to good. Don't do Sterling Inn for brunch. My experience was badly cooked eggs, intolerably poor service, and an overall disrespect for the customer. New Rochelle's downtown area will be changing radically in the coming months. With Donald Trump's tower (the tallest building in the county) and Avalon 2 about to re-populate downtown, there are new restaurants popping up almost weekly.

[KarenNYC]

if you want a good brunch that is not over priced or in a diner - try the Beehive in Armonk. we LOVE it there. the dinner was nothing special but brunch is tasty and the place is cozy.

[menton1]

Stephsu--

Overpriced and overrated food also applies to Harvest on Hudson, IMHO.

[sosit]

Really surprised that no one has mentioned Chiboust in Tarrytown. It's becoming one of my all time favorites. My Tops:

1. Blue Hill - New American (Pocantico Hills)
2. Chiboust - French Bistro (Tarrytown)
3. Azuma - Sushi (Hartsdale)
4. Harvest on Hudson - New American / Mediterranean -ish (Hastings)
5. Abatino's - Italian (White Plains)

[GIOny]

I did mention Chiboust, though I need to get back there but wondering about Azuma. Is it just sushi or is there a variety? I like Abatino's also, not in my top 5 but it is good.

[lilly1114]

1. Sushi Nanase
2. Eqqus
3. Lusardi's
4. Rosie's bistro
5. Harvest on Hudson
4.
5.

[Gorgonzalfa]

Global Gatherings
Malabar Hill
Blue Hill
Mighty Joe Young's
Southbound BBQ

[laylag]

Just curious gorgonzalfa, and Foodie2000, what do you like so much about Mighty Joe Young's? I've been twice and it wasn't awful but I wasn't overly impressed.

[Foodie200]

I guess you're right in that Mighty Joe's food isn't "excellent," but I feel it hits the spot. I actually haven't been in a while, but last time I was there, they made a great T-bone at a decent price, perfectly done. Also, they have some interesting pizzas, a nice tomato/onion/gorgonzola "steakhouse salad" and a great selection of grilled items. I think it's a really nice place for fancy comfort food-- I also must admit I like the atmosphere.

[GIOny]

Well just off the top of my head the 1st 5 that come to mind are.....
1. Harvest on Hudson, Hasting
2. Zephs in Peekskill
3. Down by the Bay, Mamaroneck
4. Traditions 118 , Granite Springs (was just there last night for a very good meal)
5. Chiboust, Tarrytown

I could probably think of a dozen or more honorable mentions but I guess that's for another thread.

[laylag]

Can you tell me a bit about Down by the Bay GIO? We live in the neighborhood and have been considering giving it a try but really don't have any idea what to expect. Can you give us a heads up on the food, atmosphere and pricing. What's good there and what would you stay away from?

[GIOny]

Honestly, I've only been there once (so maybe it shouldn't of been on my top 5 list, at least till I try it again) but I was so impressed with my swordfish there and I know sometimes it is hard to find a good piece of fish. I would stick with the seafood since that is their specialty. The restaurant is very small and in a very old quaint building (former home of James Fenimore Cooper) but it was pleasant. The booth we sat in was very unconfortable but it didn't stop us from enjoying our meal (there are also table/chair options). I believe the pricing was moderate but it depends on the market price of the fish. I'm anxious to try it again in the very near future (maybe this weekend) Good luck and let me know what you think

[Shawn]

Hmmm, you've made me want to give this Down by the Bay another try. We went there often years ago and it was excellent. They have changed hands a few times over the years, and the food went way downhill. But we haven't been back in years. I always thought it was a cute place, so I'm going to go back and check it out.

[laylag]

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the dead animal decor but pizza wasn't bad.

[menton1]

Le Jardin du Roi, Chappaqua. Charming, good food & service.
Haiku, Bronxville. Sleek and efficient, great fusion flavors.
Red Hat, irvington. Nice, but like Jardin a bit better...
River City Grille, Irvington. Wish it looked better, but food is VERY good.
Jack & Dyls, Tarrytown. Small, intimate, and food is terrific.

[Foodie200]

I'm in the Northern part of the county and haven't gotten around to all of Westchester's restaurants. Here are some of my favorites, though:
Ace- Thornwood
Azzurri- Thornwood
Mighty Joe Young's- White Plains
Water Moon- Rye
Blazer Pub (just for burgers)- Purdys

[fancyfood]

1.) Mckinney and Doyle - Pawling (I know I know not Westchester but they really are #1)
2.) Sunset Cove - Tarrytown
3.) Wellington's SteakHouse - Harrison
4.) Graziella's - White Plains
5.)The Pinnacle - Somers (Same owner as Sunset Cove)

[carijill]

1. La Camelia- Mt Kisco- So romantic, charming inn with fireplace. Excellent Spanish
and Sangria.
2. Made in Asia- Love the Sushi and customer service- Armonk
3. Guadalajara- Excellent Authentic Mexican w/mariachi and ambience to match
4. Blue Hill- Romantic, Romantic
5. Ruth Chris/Mortons- I actually think the steak is better than the other "chain"
locations

[JoanieBalonie]

1. Zuppa, Main St., Yonkers
2. Blue Hill - Pocantico Hills
3. Tum Raa (Thai), McClean Avenue, Yonkers (BYOB!!!!)
4. Guilio's, Park Hill Avenue, Yonkers (Warning: Cash only - but the best veal around!)
5. Lusitania, Lockwood Ave., Yonkers: Great Friday night all-you-can-eat Portuguese with music and dancing
5. Tres Chaves, Myrtle Street, Yonkers - another great unassuming Portuguese restaurant

[JMF]

Tum Raa is not very good Thai. Not authentic at all.

[gordoma]

This is a hard one, I'm going to filter mine by a bit of value e.g. Buffet de la Gare (in Hastings), has nice food, but no where near the price, so they don't make the cut.

5 - Ruth's Jamaican (WP - really only take out, but WOW, that is good food)
4 - Central Seafood - the crispy garlic chicken and fresh fishes are really good.
3 - Bloom (Hastings - new, they do a much finer job than most)
2 - Global Gatherings - Hartsdale - The new salmon in green curry is in my top 10 dishes of all time.
1 - Riverdale Gardens - Bronxville

[JMF]

Riverdale Gardens? In Bronxville? Don't you mean Riverdale Garden in the Bronx? Which isn't Westchester, or even that close to the border.

[VFresser]

Oooh another Ruth's fan! Ruth's Jamaican is one of those hidden gems that Chowhound was created for....
Battle Avenue, White Plains, if you don't know about it yet...

[KarenNYC]

oooohhhhh..... tell me more, tell me more! do they have a number? I am now drooling and intrigued. the best Jamaican place I have ever eatten at (strangley enought) was in VT and is now closed but the food was out of this world.

[dolores]

Ruth's Jamaican Hot & Cold Deli, 255 Battle Avenue, White Plains; [phone].

Is it closer to Central or to 119?

[KarenNYC]

is it sit down or just take out?

[jeanki]

battle connects central to 119, so its close to either.

[dolores]

I know.

So it's in the middle?

[VFresser]

Closer to Central Avenue, up about a block and a half . There's a trafficl light where Battle Avenue meets Central. Turn your back to Pathmark (usually a good idea) and head up the hill.

There are a couple of formica tables, but mostly I just see the same elderly gentleman at a table, and I have a hunch he's a relative. I've never eaten in -- always do takeout.

[RawTunaFan]

1. Blue Hill
2. Xaviers
3. Q
4. Aberdeen
5. This fantastic Moroccan restaurant on Boston Post Rd. we went to about a month ago -- forgot the name of it though!

[MikiLovesSugar]

Zitoune!! i just ate there on Monday and although they only had the prix fixe menu (because on Mondays, theyonly have a prix fixe menu), all the dishes were delish!!! HUGE PORTION OF COUSCOUS and so so so so good!

[lrdiscolo]

1. Wild Ginger (ok Its Glenville - but its right over the Rye Brook border and its great!)
2. Sonora - Port Chester
3. FISH - Port Chester
4. Water Moon - Rye
5. Q - Port Chester

[OrganicLife]

1. Blue Hill - finest dining experience of my life
2. Xavier's - lovely and romantic
3. Equus -elegant
4. Polpo- if you are a regular they will and do bend over backwards for you
5. Harvest on hudson- love the gardens and fresh food

[momof3]

Neither Xavier's nor Polpo are in Westchester. Jeez I hope we have more than 3 great restaurants ;)

[xecuchef]

Tough question because it depends what you're looking for in terms of type of food or venue.
1-Blue Hill - For nice ecclectic food, great service and ambience
2-Tango Grill- Great food but a bit overpriced for what it is.
3-Pacifico- Consistantly good food and fun atmosphere
4-American Bistro- for comfort type food
5-Malabar Hill - Good Indian fare

[KarenNYC]

wow - only 5. that is a tough call.....

1. I can't believe no one else has said Water Moon but I adore it there
2. Bankok Thai is the best Thai around so I'll toss that into the mix
3. Sunset Grille
4. Ribs on the Run (while this is mostly a take out place the ribs are top notch!)
5. Tango Grill

[730reservations]

Aside from the usual suspects there is no mention of some of my favorites on this thread:

1. Cafe Meze- The longest running high quality restaurant in Westchester.

2. Meritage in Scarsdale- Food with integrity and a menu that stays interesting.

3. Lia's in Hartsdale- The chef there is a true technician, the pizzas are a thing of beauty.

4. Oporto- Honest food at a great price and arguably the best chicken and sangrias in westchester.

5. Plates- A wildly creative chef who I know for a fact uses some of the best ingredients available.

[jwg]

sorry to report that Cafe Meze on Central Avenue is closed.

[billyparsons]

No they're not, they just redesigned the place.

[sausagekingofny]

The establishment formerly known as Cafe Meze is now "Piave" completely different owners and chef. Chef Mark Fillipo of the old Cafe Meze is now at Morgan's Fish House in Rye. The decor is slightly different as well as the menu the only similarity to Cafe Meze is that most of the staff is the same as Cafe Meze (Servers, bartenders & managers) I hear very good things about Piave but have not yet gone, I am looking forward to going soon!

[MikiLovesSugar]

I went to Piave a few weeks ago and it was very good! I posted like a review of the place. Type in Piave for a search, it should show up! You will not be dissappointed!

[MRS]

Phew..soooo glad to hear it. I booked a birthday dinner for my husband's 35th in July and I was worried...I am going to check out your review!

[rabbiblake]

Counting down to the best:

5. MOSCATO, Scarsdale (Italian)
4. SUNSET GRILLE, White Plains (Mexican)
3. TURKISH MEZE, Mamaroneck (Turkish)
2. ROSIE'S BISTRO ITALIANO, Bronxville (Italian)
1. ZAFRAN, Yonkers (Indian-Fusion)

Honorable Mentions:

- Mamma Assunta, Tuckahoe
- Kirari Sushi, Scarsdale
- Piper's Kilt, Eastchester
- Eastchester Fish Gourmet, Eastchester
- City Limits, White Plains
- Kuzaku, Tuckahoe
- The Olde Stone Mill, Tuckahoe
- Bengal Tiger, White Plains
- Lefteris Gyro, Tarrytown
- Pizza & Brew, Scarsdale
- Totonno's, Yonkers
- Central Seafood, Hartsdale
- Mughal Palace, Valhalla

And, 5 Most overrated! :

5. ZUPPA, Yonkers - Better food for much less $$$ is widely available in NYC.

4. BUKHARA GRILL, Yonkers - New Indian misses the mark. We miss Nyauta.

3. SEVEN WOKS, Scarsdale - The most overrated Chinese in the county.

2. UNDERHILL CROSSING, Bronxville - Snooty service, overpriced, soulless cooking. How does this place stay so busy?

1. MERITAGE, Scarsdale - Overpriced, under-size portions ($8.00 for a side of brussels sprouts that I could eat by myself!), lame service.

[billyparsons]

The Olde Stone Mill? That's very funny. They just shot the new Gordon Ramsey "Kitchen Nightmare" TV show there. They beat out 40+ other restaurants as the worst of the worst. I was there last week. I can't understand how they're still in business. When you see the show, you'll never go there again. Even for drinks.

[asm_ny]

Not sure I can do five, but here are a handful, either places I've been and loved, or places

Blue Hill is OUTSTANDING

The Red Hat (Irvington) is not in the same league, but is perfect for what it is -- a french bistro. I would send people there in a heartbeat.

Harvest on Hudson has a terrific location, but can be uneven. I've had both terrific and mediocre meals there. It's good enough to keep us going back, though. (Try lunch.)

I had one great meal at Equus back in 1998, and 2-3 incredibly disappointing ones since. Service was actively dismissive and unpleasant. Way too expensive to take that risk again.

[wplady]

I was just at Equus two weeks ago. Both the service and the food were impeccable.

[artichokeheart]

I'm a big fan of the Red Hat in Irvington; Il Sorriso down the block is also a very nice Italian place.

[IkeFromNY]

A couple people haven't mentioned:

Rigatoni's in Pelham (Bistro style Italian)
Rangoli in New Rochelle (My favorite Indian)
Piper's Kilt in Eastchester (Burgers and beer)

[wplady]

Was at Rigatoni's a couple of months ago. It was excellent.

[uberkelly]

Ooh, I forgot about Tango Grill in White Plains.... that place is great.

[EHS]

1. Fujinoya, Route 100, Scarsdale, NY (new) Japanese
2. Lazy Boy Saloon, Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY Beer
3. Miski, East Post Road, White Plains, NY "real" ceviche
4. Abis, Mamaroneck, NY Japanese
5. .....errrr,

[momof3]

where on East Post is Miski? I've never heard of it.

[EHS]

South of South Lexington by the Ford dealership -- looks like a diner, because it was.

They now also serve a pretty authentic mixed grill (Peruvian).

[momof3]

Ruby's Oyster Bar and Bistro- Rye
Kittle House- Chappaqua
Lusardi's- Larchmont
Lexington Sqare Cafe- Mt. Kisco
Sonora- Port Chester

[gremlin608]

I don't live in westchester but I think Riverdale is close enough to give an opinion.

No particular order

Harvest on Hudson
Blue Hill
The Willet House
Crabtree Kittlehouse
Harry's of Hartsdale

[jal58]

My favorites:
Blue Hill
Kittle House (new menu is great, wine list is tops, never go when they're busy)
Luna in Mt Kisco
Lexington Square Cafe in Mt Kisco
Equus

I was disappointed by:
Iron Horse (Pleasantville)
Finch's Tavern
La Panetiere
Meritage
Inn at Pound Ridge
Harvest on Hudson

I have yet to go to:
Plates

[petezee]

Only been here 9 months, but so far, favorites are:

La Panitierre -Rye
Tango Grill - WP
Papa Razzi -WP
Latin American Cafe - WP
Rory Dolan's- Yonkers (and soon to WP!)

[vinouspleasure]

in no particular order:
Blue Hill
Zephs
Aberdeen
Azuma

[dolores]

Golden Rod, as in the place that used to be Arthur Treacher's on East Main St.???

I'll be darned. What is good there? Is it a sit-down place?

[Janefoodie]

Golden Rod is a simple but excellent sit-down chinese restaurant. Perhaps best in the area in our opinion. They also have sushi but never on Sunday or Monday, which is always a good sign! Don't know what it was before. Across street from Salesian and Dunkin Donuts more or less on Rte. 1.

[dolores]

Yup, that's it. Thanks Janefoodie for the pointer. Always glad to find out about another good restaurant.

[juweee]

Ecclectic choice, but here you go:

1- Sonora, Port Chester
2- Harvest on Hudson, Hastings
3- Tango Grill, White Plains
4- Golden Rod, New Rochelle
5- City Limits Diner, White Plains

[dolores]

1. Zen Tango, New Rochelle -- eclectic

2. MacMenamin's Grill (dinner only, I was waaay disappointed with brunch), New Rochelle -- eclectic

3. Sunset Grill, White Plains -- Mexican(?)

4. Provencal Bistro, Mamaroneck -- French

5. Willett House, Port Chester -- steakhouse

[raider]

don't know if it qualifies as the best restaurant, buut meritage on weaver street is excellent.

[SLO]

Great idea ... Unfortunately the lack of response says it all ...