Dinner on the water in Westchester?

[amybeth451]

Can anyone recommend a great place for dinner with a nice water view? Maybe somewhere in Rye? definately want to stay in Weschester or maybe even CT., not rockland as I'm from there and would love to try something new.
Thanks!

[Nancy C]

Happy to report it's a very nice addition to the waterfront neighborhood in Ossining! We went tonight, since I kept seeing their little sign along Route 9. It's a little hard to find if you don't know what you're looking for (Mapquest it and they'll toss you next to SingSing prison!). But go over the railroad tracks, on the west side, and it's tucked there amid the boat/yacht clubs.

Out comes a fresh baked loaf of bread with a fine crust and good taste. I had the following: clam chowder - a generous sized bowl, good clam ratio, a touch of bacon flavor, and very yummy cream base. A "small" Caesar - fresh romaine, and a bright lemony dressing (the way I like it). Would like a smidge more parmesan next time on it.

Spouse had harvest salad (arugula, apples, walnuts, etc.) - they were nice enough to make up a half order, rather than the full dinner salad. He had a fantastic burger on ciabatta roll. Fries were rail road style, which we don't like so much, but well done.

He had a marguerita, fresh made (no mixer!) and I had an old fashioned. Had to go ask the bartender what normally goes in it... he completely forgot the cherries and the oranges... looked it up on his IPhone, which was pretty funny, and made me another one. Dessert was not great (chocolate crepes - well, a cold crepe cut into two pieces - filled with chocolate mousse with raspberry sauce underneath). Mousse was too heavy for my taste, more like ganache, and crepe was not extraordinary. Server said the best dessert is the oreo cheesecake, but we'd had cheesecake from Junior's in Brooklyn 2 days before and didn't want to spoil the memory.

Other parts of the menu look very appealing, too - pastas, steak, chicken, fish, etc. We'll definitely go back! Staff was attentive and friendly - bathroom was also quite charming! Do go check them out - keep them open! (They are open for lunch/dinner, and Sunday brunch - looked at brunch menu - has usual french toast, eggs various ways, etc.)

Enjoy!

[yeshana]

hi nancy,
you didn't mention the name of the restaurant you are reporting on and the previous posts list portchester, tarrytown restaurants. Which restaurant are you reporting on?

[Sra. Swanky]

I think it was The Boathouse. Nancy - could you post the address for it? Looks like I need to Mapquest and try this place ASAP! (I should join the 21st century one day and get a GPS!)

[Nancy C]

It is indeed the The Boathouse Restaurant, 46 Westerly Road. But if you Mapquest it, you'll wind up next to SingSing... it's actually north of the train station. If you take Snowden Avenue downhill, it'll take you on a ramp up over the tracks, and drop you right by the Boathouse. Sharp right into their driveway...

Here's the Road Food article, with a map

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overv...

[Sra. Swanky]

Thanks, Nancy! Hope they're open on Sundays!

[Nancy C]

I believe they are open on Sundays (at least for brunch). Give them a call. Oddly enought they don't have a website yet....

BTW, where you you live, Sra. Swanky?

[Sra. Swanky]

Just around the corner from you - Pleasantville!

[mfenimore]

Ate at the Boathouse on Saturday, its quite nice and a very varied menu. The service was excellent and they were great with my 3 year old son. There is a nice bar area and it looks like there will be some tables outside in the summer. Would diefinitely go back-something different in the area!

[Nancy C]

We went for lunch on Saturday with three friends, and had a similarly pleasant time, at a fair price. Glad they are there, and intend to keep going back.

[ltlevy]

DW and I finally got around to The Boathouse and concur on the praise. Service is excellent, both friendly and accomodating.

I started out with the French onion soup, which was a special this evening. The soup was very rich and flavorful, and not at all salty, as many other places. My DW tried the steamers, also a special, but was less thrilled. She found the first one she ate very sandy and they were very pleasant about getting her something else. She then opted for the clam chowder that she thoroughly enjoyed.

For dinner I had the Shrimp Luciano, which is a variation on scampi. It is served with risotto, but the were very accomodating and satisfied my request for a non-cheese rice. I didn't want to lose all the flavor of the garlic sauce in a stronger risotto. DW had the salmon in a mustard dill sauce which she enjoyed. She opted for the non-mashed potato for her starch (the name escapes me). It shredded potatoes and then baked somewhat like a pie. I had a bite and thought it was quite good.

I have to agree with Nancy on the desserts. I had the apple raspberry pie, which was served warm. It was tasty, but not outstanding.

The offer a stuffed burger that sounds intriguing. Stuffed with bacon and monterey jack cheese. I want to head there soon for lunch to try that.

[Kobe]

On the Byram River and not the greatest view persay, but great food is Cafe Mirage in Portchester

[jprobber]

FISH isn't bad, but it's not a serene, beautiful waterfront restaurant looking out over undulating waves and fluttering sails. The Byram River is very much a working body of water, so you're just as likely to see an oil or gravel barge rumbling through as anything. If you want rustic, you'll be OK.

[capecodder150]

I see that this post is a little bit older...that said, still thought I'd respond for future reference: Tarrytown has two great waterfront restaurants that are actually right next-door to each other (a baseball field separates them) - one is Striped Bass and it has a huge outdoor patio, the other is Sunset Cove, which also has a lot of outdoor seating. Both are right on the Hudson with great views of the Tappan Zee, since the bridge crossing is right in Tarrytown. Food at Striped Bass is good...at Sunset Cove...fantastic cuisine!! Hope this helps for the next time you want waterfront dining :)

[dolores]

'Fantastic' food at Sunset Cove? Were they taken over by Peter Kelly?

I found their brunch quite mediocre, I can't imagine their other food is 'fantastic'.

It seems that even a year later X20, and Mamma Francesca for moderate, are still the best bets on the water in Westchester, imo.

[Marge]

Was brunch the only meal you've ever had there? If so, it really isn't fair to judge--while certainly not "Peter Kelly" 'fantastic', I think the food at Sunset Cove is very good. They have a good fresh raw bar, decent fresh fish, and their chicken scarpariello is one of my favorite versions. They also have very good housemade desserts, a reasonable wine list, and a 'fantastic' view.

[dolores]

I've been to a bridal shower there, and again, no 'fantastic' in sight.

I'll give you 'good to very good'. Yes, they've got the view sewn up, but you can't eat view.

[dot99]

I'd say that capecodder is right about Sunset Cove. Give it another try, dolores.
We hosted a Sunday brunch there for my daughter's baby shower in October and
'fantastic' is an understatement. Our guests raved about everything -- the quality and variety of the food, the service, the ambiance, the unlimited mimosas, the great coffee, etc. I've thrown lots of parties in lots of places in Westchester. I declared this my last event because nothing could ever top it! ( It's two months later, and people are still talking about it!)
We have eaten dinner there many times, but usually wind up ordering our all-time favorites : cracklin' calamari salad and Chicken Scarpiello (with sausages and thin crispy rounds of potato). Try these and you'll know why we can't resist. Service, value and views can't be equalled, in my ho.

[jfood]

Jfood would also add a restaurant he had dinner a few weeks ago on the other end of Westchester, FISH in portchester.

Here is his review:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/578055

Enjoy

[dolores]

FISH is only okay, not as good as X20 or even Mamma Francesca's.

[garrettjones]

FISH is much better than okay, i would say very good to excellent every time i have been there, but it was always on business lunches or dinners, so my mind wasn't always on the food. nice view, good beer selection.

[garrettjones]

i have eaten at two of peter kellys restaurants, and although the service and the sheer beauty of the venues are terrific, the early nineties asian fusion style of cooking is completely lackluster. not to say that the meals arent very good, but excellent, regardless of mr. kelly's affiliation with the new york times reviewer, i don't think so.

[dolores]

X20, lackluster?????????????????

Wow. And so it goes.

[capecodder150]

Dolores,

ABSOLUTELY give Sunset Cove another try, particularly some of the dishes that have been mentioned in the recent posts.

BTW - I love X20 as well, if that helps :)

Happy New Year's everyone!!

[dolores]

I will, capecodder150, for sure. Have you gone to the place near Sunset Cove, Black Bass or something like that? They have the same view and good food.

[jfood]

interesting in that jfood has never seen any review of this place that you wrote. what did you have that you did not like?

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Your review of FISH makes me want to return, JFood! Definitely better than okay.

[jfood]

glad to help and hope you enjoy.

happy holidays

[amybeth451]

Thank you so much for your recommendations...now I'm even mor confused...as a Rocklander, I've been to Resturaunt X a bunch of times...is X20 a similar menu? I didn't realize it had a great view. Hmmm..so many choices here...I don't know what to do!!!!!

[dolores]

amybeth451, here's an example of the view, but I can't find a menu.

http://www.xaviars.com/hudson.html

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

X2O's menu:

http://www.xaviars.com/yonkers/dinner...

For a fleeting moment, the brunch, lunch, and dessert menus were up too, but I can't find them anymore.

[menton1]

Best views in Westchester are Harvest in Hastings, or Monteverde in Peekskill. Monteverde is really breathtaking. But you will pay big prices here, and the food is variable. The views are unbeatable though.

P.S. F.I.S.H, IMHO, is in an industrial area on a small creek with cement walls. Not particularly attractive, and neither is the restaurant.

[steelydad]

Agree on FISH. Decent food, grungy spot.

[jfood]

the inside of FISH is VERY cool. Jfood only discovered this place mis-winter so has not seen the outside in the daytime but the inside is great. And the food is fantastic. Yes the drive up the l;ast 200 yards is a bit shakey, but once inside, enjoy it.

[jfood]

further up I-95 off exit 12 in Rowaytonis Royaton Seafood - The Restaurant. Great fish, nice view, very small and intimate but not as elegant as L'Escale in G'wich. Then if you go up I=95 to Exit 15 you can find Harbor Lights in Norwalk. Also on the water with a nice terrace.

[cavandre]

Don't see a mention of X2O!
( http://www.xaviars.com/ )

[dolores]

Yikes, you're right cavandre. The food at the brunch was outstanding, the drinks look perfect, the view is amazing, I would like to buy a condo even, and the service was very good.

amybeth451, if you can get in, run don't walk to X20!

[Marge]

I have reservations for brunch at Restaurant X (where we've been several times) for next week. What is the brunch menu like at H2O??

[dolores]

I think someone here said it's online, but it's a fixed menu from which you get to choose two savory and one sweet dish. In addition, there is unlimited champagne, always a 'must' with me for brunch, and there are, I believe, four dishes passed around during the meal.

When I was there, lambchops, shrimp, a none-too-good pistachio cake and one of the best morsel of sushi I have ever had in my life were passed around. I am always skeptical on brunches that aren't a buffet, but there was more than enough outstanding food, and as noted, the view was magnificent.

My superlatives make me sad, witness MacMenamin's and Zen Tango, so I hope X20 can maintain the quality for a loooooong time to come.

[laylag]

Dolores, have you revisited MacMenamin's lately to reassess? Found out that indeed, as you had been told, the head chef (not exec. chef which is still Brian MacMenamin) had left and the new chef was taking some time to get their footing. Was suggested to me I go again once things have settled. I'm waiting until the fall I think.

[dolores]

No, laylag. I'm waiting until later in the year too. Good thing I am, from your report.

I did visit Zen Tango again, to verify, and it was awful. We were told that the menu was changing to American type food, with an emphasis on more moderate prices than a Mo's, and with the audience being those who are moving up from NYC and need a place to stroll to from their high rises. Seems like a good move, judging from the meals. Although the tres leches cake was outstanding.

Oh, a funny thing -- there was an article in a free Westchester magazine about X20 and the reviewer hated the pistachio cake as much as I did. Too bad all places can't be all things.

[Boswell]

L'Escale in Greenwich.

[iatethat]

there's dudley's in new rochelle, seaside johnnies in rye, ebb tide in port chester

[theatmosphere]

Harvest on Hudson in Hastings (http://www.harvest2000.com/hoh/). You will hear mixed reviews on this board about the food and prices, but do a search and see what you think. The view is spectacular, though.

[yeshana]

IF YOU GO TO HARVEST, RESEARCH MENU ITEMS THAT ARE DECENT. IT IS WAY OVERPRICED AND NOT GOOD IF YOU ORDER SOME ITEMS. YEARS AGO, SITTING OUTSIDE AND ORDERING PIZZAS AND CLAMS/MUSCLES/SALADS WERE THE ONLY WAY TO GO. SEE IF THEY STILL HAVE LIVE BANDS OUTSIDE ON SUNDAYS AND TRY TO GO EARLY TO GET OUTDOOR SEATING IF THEY DO(OR PROBABLY REGARDLESS)

[debmom]

Ate at Harvest last night-- outside-- the food was lousy. The service was good. The meal got off to a good start with the shrimp cocktail and salad. Both quite good. Then the main dishes came! The ribeye steak was fine, the linguine with clam sauce was fair and the taglettele with broccoli rabe and ground lamb was awful. We tried desserts which were lousy as well. My advice; skip it. The view isn't as sensational as I had been led to believe. The restaurant itself is pretty and it was very pleasant sitting outdoors on the water.

[jwg]

I have to strongly disagree. I dine at Harvest at least 2 times each summer. I love the garden setting. I have never been disappointed. It is pricey, but I think in line with others. Frankly, it's just pricey to go out to dinner. We always start with a large antipasto platter for the table. My husband always chooses a fish dish, and I'll most often chose lamb or fish. I don't remember any specific meals, but only that we left happy and satisfied.

[rbailin]

F.I.S.H in Port Chester.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Yes, FISH!

[laylag]

I like FISH too and it is on the water but I wouldn't qualify it as a "nice" water view.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Unfortunately the waterfront places w/great views in my experience don't have great food. Blu in Hastings and Sunset Cove in Tarrytown come to mind... great views, eh food. I agree the view's not as good at FISH, but the food's definitely better.

[laylag]

I totally agree ice cream. I don't know why mediocre restaurants seem to proliferate in prime water view locations but it's an epidemic - not just in Westchester but around the country. Is it just that people come for the view and so they just figure "good enough to mediocre to bad" will suffice for the food? It's a strange phenomena.

[bonacbub]

I dont know, I think in the Summer watching the boats go in and out sitting on the deck at f.i.s.h. is fantastic and the food is terrific.