Harpers, Dobbs Ferry

[menton1]

MH Reed gives the place a "Worth It" today. Any CH reviews?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/nyr...

[teeboy7]

What about Harpers'?
The food tends solid,comfy if somewhat heavy for spring/summer...they should really lighten it up seasonally. The burger is great very large portion get it witrh the duck fat potatos cant miss. The bar tender i like is Seth,,( i wont say why ladies)...
go its a nice place..a welcome change.

[swisloc]

This place is good! Crushes everything else in Dobbs for sure. Chicken soup for lunch is excellent and really like the burger as well. Also went for brunch with a group and everyone enjoyed it.

[cubanat]

This place is great but "crushes everything else in dobbs" is a bit of a stretch. the cookery for 1 is equal to if not better depending on the dishes ordered. menton will hate it because it's just as noisy when busy!

[menton1]

Yeah, what a silly thing it is to hate not being able to talk to table mates in a restaurant. A very peculiar trait.

I'm sure it doesn't crush Half Moon, that place has a lot going for it...

[pabboy]

The only thing going for Half Moon is its location. The food at Harpers definitely crushes Half Moon's.

[menton1]

IMO the food at Half Moon is pretty good. Above average. Love their Angry Calamari salad, yum! Prime Rib Wedge sandwich is another winner, and the Pork Chop is terrific. Half Moon has really well prepared and thoughtful food.

[cubanat]

half moon is decent food wise. it's usually well run and solid but with fairly main-stream menu items for conservative diners wanting a view. IMO no where close to cookery or harpers.

[menton1]

Mainstream??? Angry Calamari salad? Prime Rib Wedge sandwich? "Conservative"?

How about:
Roasted Chicken
Pork Chop
Short Ribs
Burger

Are those "Mainstream"? Or are those NOT conservative?

Those are the entrees on Harper's dinner menu!

Half Moon has some standards and many unique, creative items.

Cookery is for people who just want to eat, and do no conversing with table mates, or else scream loudly at them to be heard. Very cutting edge.

[cavandre]

If the Half Moon charged their prices for their food & didn't have that view, they would have gone out of business months ago.

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Half Moon
1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

[menton1]

I find their prices quite reasonable. What restaurants do you go to more cheaply, cavandre?

[addictedtolunch]

Uh, got a stop watch? They rushed people to and away from their tables so fast tonight at Half Moon you would think it was a speed dating session. At these prices, with the food only being "so-so", each group should at least get an hour at their table to enjoy the view. If I want fast food, I can get it for under $80 a couple.

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Half Moon
1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

[menton1]

How can they rush you when it's your choice as to how fast you eat and when you leave?

Actually, this might be an improvement, the only knock I've had on the place is that the service can be a bit slow.

My mouth waters thinking about the Angry Calamari salad and the Beef Wedge sandwich.

I also don't understand the complaint about the prices: Average entree is under $20, and you have the option, even at dinner, of getting a sandwich, salad or a burger for a lot less. Very reasonable pricing, IMO.

Seems that the Half Moon detractors are determined to bad mouth the place with the same energy as they use in defending the Cookery;

[addictedtolunch]

Not at all "inclined" against the place (I mean, come on, it's beautiful, that's why I've been going to the spot since 1984). I more often am here to say something nice or mixed, and very reluctantly ever louse up a place here. I'm calling it as I saw it. We literally received our mains 4 minutes (I checked) from the time we ordered them. Table next to us was down and up in 45 minutes. I only stretched the evening to sunset and kept the plate from being snatched by hovering my fork over my mostly eaten meal until it was cold.
Most mains, except sandwiches, were over 20. Wine was 9 a glass, ie. standard. Not exorbitant for the quality but not cheap either.

[Marge]

But Half Moon doesn't show prices on their website...A lot of people get angry reactions to that, indeed going so far as to state "When I see no prices, i don't go!". Hmmmmm.....http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/759197

[menton1]

I'd gone there before checking their website. Their prices are moderate, so it is rather dumb of them not to show pricing. But I do like the place. And I don't have to scream at my dinner mates.

[pabboy]

Seriously menton1, I've been to The Cookery a few time and I've never experienced the acoustic problem you mentioned. It's slightly louder than the average casual restaurant I've been to but nothing to complain about.

[MRS]

Just went to Cookery last weekend w/ friends and we are over the moon about it! The food was outstanding and the service was friendly, warm and attentive. I adored the whole thing. Yes, it was an elevated volume, but I think it fits the vibe of the place. We can't wait to go back!!!

[cubanat]

Welcome to the club! Now try Harpers, Juniper & Polpettina and compare! You will be 20 pounds heavier but that smile will be bigger!

Juniper is the "quiet-ist" of the bunch but all are super in their own ways...

[weedy]

Yes. If you're not a cranky old man, Cookery is fantastic. Consistently.
We found Harpers to be a little bland, but trying hard. Half Moon is just utterly uninteresting food... I don't go out to have food I could make better myself. Nice view though - it was just as good or better as Chart House, which should tell you something.

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Half Moon
1 High Street, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522