659745 Thu Oct 15 13:33:58 -0700 2009 30 20 Tristate Region 0 5106083 In a couple of weeks on a Saturday night we are going to Legend Night at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow with another family and then planning dinner afterward - around 8p. The two children are both nine and well mannered. I'm interested in recs for a place where we can relax and talk and not feel rushed, good food and a decent wine list. Nothing too upscale or grown up though please. All cuisines welcome except Japanese. Thanks. Thu Oct 15 13:33:58 -0700 2009 48135 laylag 1 5106185 Que Chula es Puebla in SH for Mexican. The Thai place on Beekman is also good (under new ownership, so I don't remember the name). don't know the wine situation, however. You might do better for wine in Tarrytown, which I'll leave to others. If you'd consider driving North a bit, maybe Goldfish in Ossining would do the trick? What do others think (I've never been there with kids). It's seafood oriented, however, so that'd depend on your kiddos! Thu Oct 15 14:04:17 -0700 2009 5106083 10101 Nancy C 2 5122882 I like this Mexican also. Kid friendly but you are not rushed and Mexican is really yummy. ANd its close Thu Oct 22 11:03:37 -0700 2009 5106185 24886 mfenimore 3 5125535 Not rushed is an understatement! Service is v-e-r-y v-e-r-y s-l-o-w! I agree that the food is very good though. I don't recall the wine list, but I loved the Mexican Sangria, made with a splash of tequila. Fri Oct 23 11:00:25 -0700 2009 5122882 14216 Marge 2 5124886 how does Que Chula compare to the new Abuelita's in Ossining? I think are probably one of the few who has been to both. I've only walked past que chula when I was doing my empanada expedition. It seemed nice inside - not the typical dive mexican (which, btw, isn't a bad thing to me). Fri Oct 23 07:06:37 -0700 2009 5106185 11120 adamclyde 3 5125182 have not been to the new place in Ossining-but the one in SH is definitely not a dive. The food is definitely a step above greasy Mexican Fri Oct 23 09:04:08 -0700 2009 5124886 24886 mfenimore 4 5125217 Que Chula is "restaurant" with formal seating, a bar, live music on certain nights, and seating for 50+ people I imagine. Food has been fine the two time we've been there - a step up fro the usual refried/saucy/heavy stuff. Los Abuelos (that's the correct name) is a small (seats 15?), informal place. They can sell beer, no liquor. Family-run (the kids were doing their homework at a counter the other night when we went). TV's on with soccer, baseball, Spanish soap operas, etc. I've only eaten there once (the soft tacos) so can't say how they handle more "formal" food - it's not a dive, but it is different than Che Chula. Fri Oct 23 09:16:16 -0700 2009 5125182 10101 Nancy C 1 5107276 River City Grill in Irvington just south of Tarrytown is a nice, slightly upscale, casual place with good food and I've certainly seen family groups like yours there. I always enjoy that place. I don't know how "good" their wine list is but I've had nice wine there. http://www.rivercitygrille.com/ Fri Oct 16 02:45:05 -0700 2009 5106083 18353 DGresh 1 5107393 If you don't mind driving a little furher south, try the Cookery in Dobbs Ferry. The food is outstanding - very locally and seasonally driven with a good and reasonable wine list. The setting is casual and there are a lot of small plates to share and interesting pastas, along with great meat and fish dishes. It is definitely not quiet, but had an energy and good vibe when we were there (with a group of 9 including 3 kids, two of whom eat only pizza and one who ate squash ravioli). Another possibility in Irvington is Il Sorriso on Main St at the bottom of the hill. We have not been there in a while, but it used to be our family's standard go to Sunday restaurant for very good Italian food in a friendly, familial setting. Fri Oct 16 05:31:22 -0700 2009 5106083 29832 jslmjl 2 5108613 Ooh, the cookery, good suggestion! Fri Oct 16 12:39:20 -0700 2009 5107393 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 3 5108624 Agree, I love the Cookery--I know they don't take reservations for 2, but may for a larger group--they do get quite crowded! Fri Oct 16 12:43:26 -0700 2009 5108613 14216 Marge 3 5126662 I second the Cookery -- food there is fantastic. Where is that chef originally from? Fri Oct 23 19:42:45 -0700 2009 5108613 45513 RawTunaFan 1 5107418 If you want to travel north to Ossining, just received this in email: Mauro’s wants to help you celebrate and support events during the month of October. Do you know about the “Great Jack o’Lantern Blaze” and “Legend Nights” events? Check out their web site www.hudsonvalley.org but hurry, tickets are going quickly. These are two great events. Come to Mauro’s with your ticket for that day, to either The Great Jack o’Lantern Blaze or Legend Nights, and we will give you ½ half off your second entrée (from our regular menu) and all children under 12 eat free (from the children’s menu). http://www.maurosrestaurant.com/ Fri Oct 16 05:49:36 -0700 2009 5106083 14216 Marge 2 5113883 Wow, that would be like the hugest bargain ever. Have you eaten at the restaurant Marge? If so, your general thoughts? Mon Oct 19 06:51:18 -0700 2009 5107418 48135 laylag 3 5113928 I have eaten at Mauro's once--the food was very good red sauce Italian (a bit more upscale than other local red sauce joints), the service was fine, and the wine list was decent--in fact, they have a pretty extensive reasonably priced list. Mon Oct 19 07:10:25 -0700 2009 5113883 14216 Marge 1 5108924 Sweet Grass Grill in Tarrytown takes reservations, has delicious food, and is a pretty laid-back atmosphere (i.e. kid-friendly). I love their food. Wine list is rather short, tho. Fri Oct 16 14:18:35 -0700 2009 5106083 207566 Kat_in_Ossining 1 5113894 Debating between Sweet Grass and Cookery - with Mauro's a consideration for the amazing deal Marge posted. Any other thoughts on Mauro's Mon Oct 19 06:53:37 -0700 2009 5106083 48135 laylag 2 5114529 Haven't made it to Sweet Grass yet, but The Cookery is top notch food - some of the best I've had in Westchester in the last couple of years. Mon Oct 19 10:32:54 -0700 2009 5113894 235582 wpfoodie 2 5114882 I would not recommend Sweetgrass. Go to the Cookery for sure! Mon Oct 19 12:36:43 -0700 2009 5113894 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 3 5117804 Just curious why you wouldn't recommend Sweetgrass. I was there in August with a large group and all the food was quite good. (I also ask because I'll be headed to Tarrytown for a show in 2 weeks and was planning on going back to Sweetgrass...) Tue Oct 20 12:48:14 -0700 2009 5114882 207566 Kat_in_Ossining 4 5118047 mixed reviews-- including mine-- on this thread. basically we found the menu to misrepresent the food we actually received. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/609626 Tue Oct 20 14:05:55 -0700 2009 5117804 28696 i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream 1 5114065 We had a nice meal at Goldfish before the Blaze last year but I don't think you'll get any deal on a Saturday night, but they have great deals during the week. Mon Oct 19 07:58:25 -0700 2009 5106083 92092 GIOny 2 5127080 What is Goldfish Gio? Food, atmosphere, wine list? As per my OP, I wasn't looking for a deal. Only referred to it as the post from Marge re: email from Mauro's was tempting - if the food and all else met the other specifications. We still haven't decided. Sat Oct 24 05:42:05 -0700 2009 5114065 48135 laylag 3 5127168 Here is the website http://www.goldfishdining.com/ I always request to sit upstairs overlooking the open kitchen ( not sure if they can accommodate 6 in that location) I like some of the menu items more than others. I usually order one of the specials they have been consistenly good. I really like the ambiance. Sat Oct 24 06:54:38 -0700 2009 5127080 91796 chowdom 4 5127502 Ambience? Please more details, because from the website Goldfish looks like a diner/Cheesecake Factory!! Sat Oct 24 09:44:33 -0700 2009 5127168 21702 menton1 5 5128111 You know, I was going to mention that the website is beyond horrible and in no way an accurate representation of the restaurant. I think that is what kept me from trying it for sometime . Goldfish was recommended to me over a year ago, and my first time time there was this September because that is where my niece wanted to have her birthday dinner. There is the upstairs space that I love and some tables past the bar area across from the open kitchen that are nice. There is a smaller dining room all the way to the right after you walk in the that I don't care for. It can be a little noisy but the vibe is really nice casually elegant and somewhat cozy. I do however like that the website lists the various the menus and menu items. Sat Oct 24 15:20:59 -0700 2009 5127502 91796 chowdom 1 5132448 Thanks to all Chowhounds for the recs and comments. Unfortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to try any of the restaurants due to the horrific weather. We got completely soaked, had to leave Legend and were unfit for any restaurant. If I may ask one more question though - a friend recommended Horsefeathers in Tarrytown. Any thoughts on that for next time? Thanks. Mon Oct 26 13:30:41 -0700 2009 5106083 48135 laylag 2 5132630 We love Horsefeathers. Amazing hamburgers and fries (regular and sweet potato). Can't say I've had much more than that because every time we go, we go back for the burgers. Very extensive menu and the entrees are not inexpensive (like $20+ pasta dishes), but the burgers are reasonable. Mon Oct 26 14:40:13 -0700 2009 5132448 10205 valerie 3 5134500 My take on Horsefeathers is respectfully different. A bit on the dingy side, pub food, wayyyyy overpriced for pretty ordinary stuff. I would stay far away. It's a 15 min ride, but for pub food I like Maud's in Hastings. Nicer atmosphere, better food, and about 25-35% cheaper than Horsefeathers. http://maudstavern.com/ Tue Oct 27 09:31:34 -0700 2009 5132630 21702 menton1 4 5134912 I'm not a fan of Horesefeathers either. too dingy, too expensive. Tue Oct 27 11:31:16 -0700 2009 5134500 15910 debmom 4 5142900 I'm not a fan of Horsefeather's either. Been there a few times with friends and the food has been nothing more than ordinary. To be fair, I have not had the burgers though. I am not a red meat eater. Fri Oct 30 09:06:05 -0700 2009 5134500 275934 queenregina