Food and Drink

Photo courtesy of Pizzeria La Rosa

New Pizzeria

Pizzeria La Rosa

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Everything is deliberately old-school here, from the décor to the century-old pizza oven that imbues the thin, crispy, modestly topped pies with just the right amount of char. (Try the milky-white pie with jammy caramelized onions.) Just when it all seems familiar, there’s a curveball, like arugula salad with pickled fennel and lemon-confit vinaigrette.

Octopus Dish

Dubrovnik Restaurant

New Rochelle; www.dubrovnikny.com

Not into octopus? You will be, after tasting owner Zeljko “Jerry” Tomic’s Nonna-style octopus salad, a delicious homage to his mother’s home cooking. Imported Mediterranean octopus is boiled with potatoes until tender and then tossed with marinated capers, red onions, baby organic arugula, fresh-cut parsley, and Croatian extra-virgin olive oil that’s aromatic, fruity, and pungent.

Dining-in-Italy Experience

La Bocca

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White Plains; www.laboccaristorante.com

Everything about this regional Italian restaurant in the center of White Plains screams authentic from-the-boot, from the imported meats and cheeses to dinner dances showcasing Italian singers to special events like the Venetian Carnevale and annual January pork festival. And if you’re lucky, chef/owner Tony Spiritoso will visit your table, offering shards of pecorino Romano in his charming Italian accent.

Transporting Restaurant Interior

O Mandarin

Hartsdale; www.omandarin.com

Carved dragon door handles, floral-painted scrolls and primal sand paintings on the walls, Chinese cookware, and a pair of Ch’ing Dynasty gentleman farmer’s chairs exemplify owner Peter Liu’s brilliant efforts to create a dining space showcasing Chinese culture and history. Using lacquered chopsticks to dive into your Peking duck, you’ll feel like a Chinese emperor.

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Cider Selection

McDonald & Peacock

Peekskill; www.peekskillciderhouse.com

While you can find a solid craft-beer list in most Westchester towns, cider is less common. Enter McDonald & Peacock, an English-style pub with nearly 30 selections from both sides of the pond (many from NYS), including both traditional and esoteric styles from big-name brands and small producers.

By-the-Glass Wine Selection

The Red Pony

Rye; www.redponybar.com

If you want Malbec or Pinot Grigio, they’ve got it. But where GM Clark Moore excels is with drinkers excited to try something different, like floral Alsatian whites, bubbly rosé pét-nat, biodynamic Gamay, and smoky South African Bordeaux, paired with cheeses and meats from the world’s great wine regions.

Restaurant Spinoff

Hudson Farmer & the Fish

Sleepy Hollow; www.farmerandthefish.com/hudson

The look is sleeker than the North Salem original — practically all counter seating fronting the open kitchen or overlooking the Hudson River — but the food is still familiar, if a bit more casual. Fresh seafood with locally grown produce is the order, whether it’s mussels from the steamer kettles, white-clam pizza, scallop salad, or a lobster roll.

Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

Who says eating right can’t be exciting and delicious?

Photo courtesy of The Granola Bar

Avocado Toast

The Granola Bar

Rye/Armonk; www.thegranolabarct.com

How else to show off your hipster cred than bellying up to a bright-green avocado toast? If you are looking for a dish that tastes as good as it’s cool to eat, give The Granola Bar a try. There, you can snag an iteration of the Instagram favorite, with toppings ranging from feta and red-pepper flakes to chive cream cheese and sausage.

Veggie Burger

Plant Burger at Village Social

Rye; www.villagesocialkb.com

We know veggie burgers can be a tough sell, but we swear, even meat lovers will enjoy the ridiculously good Plant Burger at Village Social’s Rye location (Note: It’s not on the Mount Kisco menu). A thick patty bursting with flavor is dressed up with lettuce, cheddar, and an addictive aioli (plus killer fries) — with less fat/calories and more fiber than a traditional burger.

Vegetarian Grain Bowls

Dig Inn*

Rye Brook; www.diginn.com

From-scratch cooking meets cafeteria-style ease with a veggie-centric menu that rotates seasonally. The market bowls are the way to go. Just pick your favorite grain base, add a few heapings of tasty vegetables (protein options for omnivores, too) and top with one of Dig Inn’s savory sauces. Get a taste of summer with locally sourced tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, and peaches.

Acai Bowls

BeWies Hollistic Market

Armonk; www.bewies.com

It seems acai bowls — which blend the eponymous berry with a host of other fruits and add-ons — are only gaining in popularity. This small holistic market in Armonk is pumping out virtually perfect preparations featuring coconut milk, frozen strawberries, and banana — not to mention a ton of possible toppings.

Pitaya Bowls

Playa Bowls*

Pleasantville; www.playabowls.com

Dragon fruit is the next big thing in smoothie bowls, and this new Pleasantville upstart doles out some of the best there is. Also known as pitaya, dragon fruit is a tropical treat with a hot-pink color and lower sugar content than many counterparts. The refreshing specimens here feature toppings like blueberry, coconut flakes, and kiwi.

Steakhouse Burger

Johnnie’s Burger at Frankie & Johnnie’s

Rye; www.frankieandjohnnies.com

Dry-aged beef — specifically, the scraps from its USDA Prime sirloin — makes this burger intensely rich and beefy. As if that’s not enough, Gruyère, peppery arugula, sautéed onions, a slick of steak sauce, and house-made potato chips (why not?), hit at optimal levels of sweet, tangy, rich, and crunchy.

Frosé

The Wooden Spoon

New Rochelle; www.woodenspoonnewro.com

Owner Nick Triscari’s version of the pink-wine slushie sensation (he calls them “frozies”) is exactly what you want a summer cocktail to be: equal parts refreshing and boozy. Think you’re too cool to drink pink? No worries: Triscari often does other iterations, like Champagne-lemonade and apple-spice Chardonnay.

Charcuterie Plate

RiverMarket Bar & Kitchen

Tarrytown; www.rivermarketbarandkitchen.com

To craft its exceptional charcuterie plate, RiverMarket rightly puts a premium on the pig. The all-natural culatello ham, spreadable ’nduja, lonza, and spicy soppressata come from Mangalista by Møsefund, a New York-based company that raises the Hungarian breed (which once fed Hapsburg royalty), prized for its luxurious, rich flavor.

Photo courtesy Amore Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Terrace Dining

Amore Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Armonk; www.amorearmonk.com

Brothers Mark and Joe Mazzotta have created a rich Tuscan-farmhouse-inspired dining experience featuring top-flight arancini, artisan pizzas, seasonal cocktails prepared with house-infused liquors and house-made syrups, and a décor replete with lots of brick and old-wood beams. The 120-person stone terrazzo, however, is the highlight, featuring a grapevine pergola, firepit, and views of a freshwater brook and vegetable garden.

Spot for Old-School Romance

La Vista

South Salem; www.lavistaristorante.com

Recently renovated by chef/owner Ramy Hoti and his family, this quaint Italian restaurant has charms for every season (lush greenery in spring and summer, a cozy hearth in the fall and winter). Inside, the staff ups the romance with special-occasion-worthy tableside presentations, doting service, and luscious pastas.

Gracious Host

Johnny Brucaj at Tre Angelina

White Plains; www.treangelina.com

Want to see textbook execution of hosting skills firsthand? Book a table at this Northern Italian restaurant, where self-effacing owner Johnny Brucaj will showcase his expert ability at making diners feel welcome and cared for, from a sincere smile to suggesting spot-on wine pairings to deftly preparing tableside Dover sole or red snapper.

Soul Food Brunch

Pick and Roll Soul Restaurant & Lounge

White Plains; www.pickandrollsoul.com

In the mood for comfort food and brunch? Try Pick and Roll Soul Restaurant, a new soul-food eatery named for the basketball play. Whether eating in or getting your comfort to go, opt for their specialties: chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, or fried whiting with a side of black-eyed peas and rice. Then pair your pick with cornbread, a mimosa, and live jazz.

Get Rolling

Sample these between-the-bread stars for your next lunch.

Photo by Andre Baranowski

Fried-Chicken Sandwich

Chickwich at Mason Sandwich Co.

Eastchester; www.masonsandwiches.com

Get extra napkins. That’s our best advice for this juicy, buttermilk-and-dill-pickle-liquid-brined fried-chicken sandwich with spicy maple syrup that drips off its craggy edges onto the pillowy potato roll. Also worth the calories: the Buffalooch, a fried-chicken sandwich doused in buffalo sauce.

Argentinian-style Chicken Sandwich

Chicken Chimichurri at Gaucho Burger Company

White Plains; www.gauchoburgercompany.com

Well before they opened, we lined up at farmers’ markets for this chicken sandwich, made on the spot from whole roasted chickens, half-loaves of bread, and the freshest chimichurri, piled with lettuce, tomato, and onions. Pair with a hand-squeezed, fruit-infused lemonade, for an ideal meal at this new Argentinian-fusion joint.

Party Heros

Rocky’s Millwood Deli

Millwood; www.rockysdeli.net

Party-on with three-, four-, five- or (yes!) six-foot heros from this neighborhood fixture, which churns out a smorgasbord of deli fare 24/7. From classic Italian and American combos to chicken cutlets galore, these heros are a showstopper, no matter the filling, because really it’s all about the bread: dense, chewy, and a whopping six-inches tall. Made to order, there are vegetarian options, too.

Prime Rib Sandwich

Tarry Market

Port Chester; www.tarrymarket.com

There’s no wrong choice when it comes to Tarry Market’s sandwich game, but their porcini-mushroom-rubbed, rotisserie-roasted, medium-rare, thin-sliced prime rib is their best. The crusty Italian bread is packed with juicy steak, tender fat and is simply dressed with Maldon sea salt, cracked pepper, scallions, and EVOO.

Mexican Torta

Torta Ahogada at Tlaquepaque New Rochelle

The Mexican sandwich is at its tallest in Guadalajara’s signature dish: a crusty roll stuffed with refried beans and pulled pork, cloaked in salsa (hence the name, “drowned sandwich”), topped with lime and marinated onions, and served with pickled jalapeños and carrots — all house-made. Keep it authentic by consuming barehanded.

Photo by Yu Matsui

Blackened Chicken Sandwich

Rye Roadhouse

Rye; www.ryeroadhouse.com

You can order most sandwiches “blackened” at this Cajun/Creole restaurant, and we’re definitely fans of exercising that option. The blackened chicken sandwich is the best incarnation, served on a crusty French roll with a smear of just-spicy-enough Cajun remoulade. A side of killer sweet-potato fries is practically mandatory.

Photo courtesy of DiNardo’s

Chicken Parm Wedge

DiNardo’s

Pound Ridge; www.dinardos.net

Your mouth starts watering when you see DiNardo’s chicken parmigiana wedge — then the smell draws you in. And when you take a bite, all the ingredients come together — the thin-sliced and lightly breaded chicken, homemade tomato sauce and high-grade mozzarella cheese. The chicken parm is only found on the takeout menu, but you can ask for it at lunch.

No-Pretense Upscale Dining

Lenny’s Seafood & Steakhouse

Larchmont; www.lennyssteakhouse.com

Owner Lenny Balidemaj brings his expertise as a host to this white-tablecloth Italian chophouse with USDA Prime beef, fresh-from-the-ocean seafood, classic Italian sides, a superb ricotta cheesecake, and a certain simple grace not found at most restaurants. Any county town would be fortunate to call Lenny’s their go-to Italian restaurant.

Moules Frites

Saltaire Oyster Bar and Fish House

Port Chester; www.saltaireoysterbar.com

Located in an old grain warehouse in Port Chester, Saltaire serves up deep, steaming bowls of mussels in a choice of mouthwatering broths like Roquefort (imported blue cheese, white wine, shallots), saffron (cream, celery, Saltaire herbs), curry (lemongrass, Thai-chili coconut broth) and lemon (leeks, shallots, garlic, thyme). The Flex Your Mussels Monday night special includes mussels, a beer, and salted-to-perfection, crispy, hand-cut fries for $20.

New Steakhouse

Flames Steakhouse

Elmsford; www.flamessteakhouse.com

Pair a USDA CAB Prime cut dry-aged in-house with high-end wine offerings, such as first-growth Bordeaux and high-end Super Tuscans, for a top-level steakhouse experience. Omnipresent chef/owner Nikolla Vulaj, who also offers from-scratch pastas and what may be the largest and meatiest shrimp cocktail going, has experience at numerous NYC restaurants, including Peter Luger.

Lobster Night

Lobster Mondays at Crabtree’s Kittle House

Chappaqua; https://www.crabtreeskittlehouse.com/

Like so many other things, Crabtree’s Kittle House does lobster right — especially on Monday night. That’s when they trot out the succulent, same-day-caught fresh 2-lb Maine lobsters, with giant gulf shrimp, littleneck clams, and corn on the cob, for $45.95 per person.

Animal-Friendly Café

Hayfields Market

North Salem; www.hayfieldsmarket.com

In a town that may have more horses than people, this café/market wins hearts with not only sandwiches and smoothies but also a basket of comp carrots for your horse and free treats for your canine. Cozy up with customers in riding boots, plus the occasional pooch (you didn’t mean to overhear that pony gossip, did you?).

Photo by Yu Matsui

Diner Breakfast

Parkway Café

Scarsdale

In these cozy vintage digs, red-vinyl booths and counter seating overlook a busy griddle, where the cooks manage to whip up hot stacks (try the sweet potato or flaxseed), killer egg sandwiches, and paper-thin omelets all at once. Signature omelets, like the Andy (avocado, ham, muenster cheese, tomato, and scallion), are a nod to their regulars.

Sweet Spots

A roundup of some of our best sugar-highs.

Salted Caramel Ice Cream

Penny Lick Ice Cream

Hastings-on-Hudson; www.pennylickicecream.com

You’ll find a rotating selection of locally made seasonal flavors (think banana bread or drunken pumpkin) at this quaint neighborhood ice cream shop, but the year-round maple syrup ice cream with flecks of salted caramel will most definitely send your taste buds into a frenzy.

Banana Pudding

Sugar Hi

Armonk; www.sugar-hi.com

It’s ironic that Hillary Assael, co-owner (with her twin sister, Elissa Weinhoff) and head baker at Sugar Hi, doesn’t like bananas. Her banana pudding is a classic. Creamy vanilla pudding, crushed graham crackers and, of course, bananas blend together for comfort dessert at its best.

Vegan Desserts

Pureganic Cafe

Rye; www.pureganic-cafe.com

All organic, all the time, these treats make veganism (not to mention gluten-free-ism) feel like the icing on the cake. Raw chocolate walnut fudge tart with salted oat crust, apple tart, and maple-sweetened pecan pie hold their own at any occasion; strawberry thumbprint “breakfast” cookies and “cheezecake” slices make dessert an all-day affair.

Shortbread Cookies

Nutmeg

Tuckahoe; www.thenutmegcafe.com

This isn’t your Grandma’s shortbread. Thin, bite-sized stars and butterflies in flavors such as Mexican chocolate, cheddar, lime coconut, cardamom sesame, walnut pecan, lavender lemon — and, of course, nutmeg — have you circling back to the counter to sample just one more.

Photo courtesy of Bluebird

Coffee Ice Cream

Bluebird NY

Cross River

Stumptown Coffee Roasters beans are at the heart of the delectable coffee ice cream at this small-batch shop known for its dedication to quality ingredients and flavor. And there’s brand extension with a vegan coffee option, as well. But don’t eat this ice cream late at night (unless you plan on some serious binge-watching) — it contains more caffeine than a cup of coffee!

Flan

Cafe La Fondita

Mamaroneck; www.cafelafondita.com

If incredibly smooth, perfectly prepared flan sounds like a sweet time, look no further than manager Carmen Padilla’s version at this Mexican counter-service newcomer. Along with what must be one of the top flans this side of the Rio Grande, Café La Fondita offers a host of authentic savory dishes, each less than $10.

Photo courtesy of Lexington Square Cafe

Restaurant Not To Miss Dessert

Lexington Square Café

Mount Kisco; www.lexingtonsquarecafe.com

Many restaurants either have a line cook with minimal erudition in the art of sugar handling at the dessert station or (gasp!), serve commercial products. Not so at Lexington Square, where pastry chef A.J. Dominique Baptiste plates his delicious creations beautifully. Can’t go wrong with the tiramisu or warm, double-gooey chocolate cake.

Like-Nonna’s Bolognese

Scaramella’s Restaurant

Dobbs Ferry; www.scaramellas.com

Sometimes you crave the classics, and the pasta Bolognese at this authentic Italian restaurant is a bowl of pure happiness, with a perfect balance of rich ground meat in almost-sweet sauce. The new owners of this neighborhood biz, Sal and Patti Triarsi, bring 49 years of experience and a simple philosophy: Make everyone feel welcome.

Alt Burger Options

Emma’s Ale House

White Plains; www.emmasalehouse.com

Traditionalists, who would normally scoff at the idea of a non-beef or bun-less burger, are in for a pleasant surprise at Emma’s. There are a few (four in fact) alternative burger options worth ordering from their burger bar menu, including the carb-phobic friendly “topless” (a Pat LaFrieda patty over mixed greens, tomatoes, and onions), a turkey burger with cranberry chutney, an open-faced veggie with avocado and portobello, and a flavor-bursting salmon burger that’s filleted in-house.

Samosas

Almadinah Market

Mohegan Lake

Blink and you’ll miss this unassuming deli storefront, but inside you’ll find fresh, fantastic halal food. While there are lots of delicious dishes to try, homemade by owner Ahmad Alwadi, the potato samosas are a particular standout. Savor the smooth spiced filling and fryer-fresh, golden crust with a side of mango chutney.

Texas-style Barbecue

Revenge BBQ

Irvington; www.revengebbq.com

One bite of the brisket — yieldingly tender slices of marbled beef sticky with black-pepper bark — and you’ll immediately realize this isn’t your typical county barbecue joint. Owner Jacob Styburski learned from legendary Texas pitmasters, and it shows in his meticulous technique, cheese-oozing sausages, classic sides, and absurdly rich beef ribs.

Under-the-Radar Finds

Bet you don’t know about these three gems. But you should.

Photo by Ken Gabrielsen

Under-the-Radar Cocktail List

Tannery

Harrison; www.tanneryny.com

Under new ownership, this local watering hole recently upgraded their mixed-drink game, mainly due to owners Awilda Pimentel and Ashley Lurie (above), a celebrated bartender who’s won her share of cocktail competitions in NY and CT. Expect infused liquors, house-made syrups, plenty of creativity, and modern takes on old-school classics.

Under-the-Radar Lunch Spot

Estelle Gourmet

Larchmont; www.estellegourmet.com

Estelle Lebbrecht is a talented French chef who serves simple but sophisticated lunches at her welcoming six-table café. Aficionados show up for excellent homemade soups (French onion is always on the menu), salads, panini, quiche, and crêpes. Finish off with a chocolate éclair, and everything is right with the world.

Under-the-Radar Classic Italian

Alex’s Bar & Grille

White Plains; www.alex577.com

Timeless and old-fashioned (in the best sense of the word), this restaurant at the outskirts of city proper is like dining at a high-style Sunday family dinner with everyone on his or her best behavior. It excels in ways many other restaurants struggle: the way the waiters appear — and fade away — when appropriate, the freshness of every ingredient, the kitchen’s willingness to prepare off-menu items.

Photo courtesy of PopoJito

Gluten-free Restaurant

PopoJito

Scarsdale; www.popojito.com

Capitalizing on the casual-dining trend, this entirely gluten-free Mediterranean-Mexican restaurant opened in Scarsdale in November. The result: dishes like caramelized cauliflower tacos with tomato relish, octopus fajitas, chipotle-eggplant dip, and crisp-yet-custardy churros that make gluten-free taste great.

Photo courtesy of 3 Westerly

Waterfront Terrace

3 Westerly Bar & Grill

Ossining; www.3westerly.com

Come at sunset, and we bet you won’t last five minutes on this 150-seat Ossining-riverfront terrace without snapping a pic. Yes, the views of neighboring Rockland County are stunning, but we also love the comfy seating, buzzy atmosphere, summery drinks, and cool menu of globally inspired bites.

Courtesy of BreakfastAteTiffany

Heineken Light Best Burger Award

Coals

Port Chester/Bronxville; www.coalspizza.com

With their third first place victory and second in a row, Coals’ beef burger — with Vermont cheddar, Buffalo sauce, and guacamole — beat out 25 competitors at our annual Burger & Beer Blast in June.

Best New Restaurants

The top dining-out newcomers by region.

Photo by Enormous Creative

Rivertowns

Fin & Brew

Peekskill; www.finandbrew.com

There’s more to this New-American with a seafood slant than unobstructed Hudson River views (though perhaps that’s enough reason for a visit). There’s a top-flight raw bar, plus the menu offerings by CIA alums Jan Michael Anastacio (ex-executive sous chef at Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish) and Ryan Swank highlight locally sourced ingredients and from-scratch preparations.

Sound Shore

Argana

Port Chester; www.arganarestaurantbar.com

Handmade bronze hanging lanterns lighting sand-colored walls, slow-cooked stews served in earthenware pots, bread dipped in nutty, non-greasy Argan oil; it’s a bit of exotic Morocco brought to our county. New to this cuisine? Try the multi-course hospitality dinner for an array of hot and cold salads, couscous, skewered meats, savory pie made with phyllo pastry, and pastries paired with mint tea.

North County

The Whitlock

Katonah; www.thewhitlockny.com

What we like best about Matt and Christina Safarowic’s restaurant is that the food — juicy roast chicken over grits, drizzled with honey; fresh tagliatelle in a rustic Bolognese; tangy roasted artichoke dip; marrow-laced French onion soup — is not at all pretentious. Nor, might we add, is the vibe, which is warm and neighborly, ensuring that we’ll keep coming back.

South County

Vietnam’s Central

Scarsdale; www.vietnamscentral.com

Gregarious chef/owner Tuong Bui (just call him Tom) can’t stop touting his homeland’s unique cuisine — and for good reason. Clay-pot cooking, roll-your-own spring rolls, four-day pork chops, vibrant halo-halo, taro pudding, Vietnamese coffee and fresh limeade should not be missed. It’s also vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly.