Graduation dinner in Port Chester/Rye/Harrison?

[xiaolongbao]

I'm graduating tomorrow, and my parents want to take me out to dinner afterward. We want to avoid White plains because it's already bad enough to drive in without crowds of ravenous graduates and their families trying to find a place to eat, so I was thinking Harrison, Port Chester or Rye (or any other towns within a short drive). Nothing extremely fancy and expensive -- my poor parents already payed for four years of tuition! -- but not anywhere that looks like it barely passed its health inspection either. I would prefer to avoid standard American or Italian American fare, but basically anything else would be great. I'm an especially big fan of Thai, real Chinese and Vietnamese, but I'm not sure if there's anything in that line in the area. Thanks in advance!

[MisterBill2]

So where did you go and how was it?

[labrill]

We had an excellent graduation dinner at Zitoune in Mamaroneck last year.

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Zitoune
1127 W Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck, NY 10543

[Elisa515]

Inca y Gaucho in Portchester (Peruvian) could be a great choice for your family. Nice but informal, delicious and very affordable food. Probably well off the graduation crowd radar.

Imperial Wok in North White Plains (well away from any White Plains crowds) is a festive and affordable Chinese/Japanese option for you, with plenty of easy parking. Lots of interesting and unusual dishes along with more typical Chinese and Japanese fare.

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Imperial Wok
736 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603

[anonymouse1935]

I second Imperial Wok, but if you want 'authentic' Chinese, Aberdeen is a possibility, although you have to park in the adjacent hotel parking lot. Having had real Chinese in Flushing, though, I can see why Aberdeen is not real.

There's a decent Thai in New Rochelle, but there is, sadly, no Vietnamese in the entire county.

Congrats on your graduation.

[Elisa515]

Problem with Aberdeen (which I've never been to, so this isn't a comment on it as a restaurant!) is that it's smack in the middle of White Plains, which is where the OP want to avoid.

[anonymouse1935]

I know, but Barker Ave. isn't one of the worst streets to drive on, if you're coming off of I-287, and there is available parking.

I forgot about Bao's, in the White Plains Mall, xiaolongbao. It too has very good Chinese, and an available parking lot.

[cubanat]

Bao's has gone downhill over the last few years sadly. Aberdeen is actually very good considering it's in White Plains but value wise your better off going to Flushing

[anonymouse1935]

Has Bao's really gone downhill? Great, another one off the list. Thanks for the tip.

Actually, I did make it to Flushing and I must confess that I'm not a huge fan of dim sum. There was one wonderful sweet pork in a bun dish, but the others were, well, not to my taste. I prefer Americanized Chinese food.

[cubanat]

then you might love bao's

[anonymouse1935]

I do, but not if it's gone downhill.

We ended up at Imperial Wok and there was hardly anyone in the place, on a Saturday night. Bad times, or is everyone going somewhere else?

[Marge]

How was the food? I used to love it, but last time I was there (over a year ago) it wasn't good, really salty and oily.

[anonymouse1935]

It was only okay.

I remembered Spring Asian Fusion in Mount Vernon too late. I could have tried Hunan Ritz in Thornwood and Hunan Village in Hartsdale (boy do I miss Paul in Yonkers), but also thought of them too late.

xiaolongbao, where did you end up?

[momof3]

The last time I went to Imperial Wok with my husband for lunch it was horrible. The service was super slow and the food was just plain bad. We ordered tempura veggies that were so greasy and yet at the same time way undercooked. Maybe their fryer temps were off? The other items we ordered were also far under par. Also the rooms are in great need of repair. I was staring at black mold on the wall while dining. It's sad because it is very local for us and we really want to support it, but we haven't been back yet.

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Imperial Wok
736 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603

[bonacbub]

Haiku is much better, take it from a former Bao's regular.
For a fun place try going to Barcelona in Greenwich, you will never wait with a reservation and you all can pig out on Tapas all night, lots of good food and fun

[sandralee]

i dont know if you like cajan food but there is a place in rye called the road house not pricey, portions are big and it is a fun place to go very casual reservations are taken and they have good desserts

[anonymouse1935]

Have they gotten better? The old Road House used to be very good but the new and improved Road House is awful.

[Avalondaughter]

Do you like Indian? How about Rani Mahal in Mamaroneck?

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Rani Mahal
327 Mamaroneck Ave # 320-322, Mamaroneck, NY 10543

[cubanat]

In Rye: Ruby's is French bistro-ish, Morgans is now more casual seafood, Whitby Castle can be casual especially sitting outside on deck, We have no Vietnameses to speak of in the area. Mamaroneck has at least 3 or 4 Asian fusion sushi parlors that are all somewhat decent. Lum Yen is standard Amrican Chinese...port chester has a ton of latin places. read adamclydes reviews for these. Whatever you do make resrvations quickly!! Last thing you want to do is not have a decent place to reward your tuition paying parents with. There is also a new place at rye playland but do not know anything about the food called the Pier. let us know.

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Whitby Castle
330 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY

[Marge]

I am a fan of Morgan's, and was a little concerned about their "reinvention". I just checked out their website, and the new menu appears to be exactly the same as the old menu...Anyone know what's going on there?

[momof3]

The menu is quite different. Not sure if they updated their menu on the site yet. You should go and take a look, it looks really cool inside but if you were a fan of the old format and style, it may not be for you. The food and the service are still very good.

[Marge]

Thanks, they must not have updated the online menu yet...looking forward to trying it.

[cubanat]

Oh and Roasted Peppers in Mamaroneck has been getting great press but for sure make a reso there quick since it's not a huge place.