From curious visitors to Westchester locals starting a life or family of their own, it can be challenging to establish a sense of connection. For anyone who might be longing to remember the taste of a home-cooked meal, pay a visit to these family-owned restaurants that feature love and comfort among their key ingredients.
Squire’s of Briarcliff
94 N State Rd, Briarcliff Manor; 914.762.3376
Operating in the Briarcliff Manor area since 1967, Squire’s has never faltered in its mission to craft dishes that remind customers of home. A portion of this nostalgic meal magic can be attributed to owner Kurt Knox and his staff’s reliable practice of making all food fresh to order. While there is an abundance of familiar flavors on the menu, the nine-ounce Squire Burger prepared with mouthwatering charbroiled beef is filled with the warmth of a pleasant memory. Paired with the mouthwatering garlic bread appetizer, a meal at this cozy wood-paneled tavern instills a feeling of community for anyone who drops by.
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Almadinah Market
1969 E Main St, Mohegan Lake; 914.743.1560
Founded by Palestinian-American Chef Ahmed Alwadi in 2010, Almadinah Market seeks to incorporate enjoyment and quality into everything it creates. Among the variety of Middle Eastern cuisine available are the crunchy potato samosas and flavor-filled lamb and beef shawarma wraps, as well as the ever-popular chicken and rice plates. The market also offers a number of sauces to pair with your dishes, including white sauce, tzatziki sauce, cilantro chili sauce, and more. However, what makes the halal food here truly special is the snug interior combined with a cooking approach reminiscent of exceptional city eateries — a combo that makes anyone feel welcome.
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Pizza & Brew
851 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale; 914.472.1032
The Racanelli family encourages patrons to stop by for an enjoyable dining experience within the casual, inviting setting of their renovated restaurant. Truly living up to the name, Pizza & Brew offers signature slices with the New York classic- and margherita-style pizzas that can be shared with a drink at the marble-top bar. With a wide selection of Italian American comfort food to choose from, it is impossible to go wrong with the saucy homemade meatballs and creamy penne alla vodka. Each bite of fresh, scrumptious pasta leaves the clear image of a nonna happily cooking in her kitchen.
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Nadine’s Restaurant
715 Saw Mill River Rd, Yorktown Heights; 914.962.4298
Offering a range of traditional French and German dishes, Nadine’s Restaurant opened through the collaborative efforts of Christian and Pamela Schienle alongside their son Jagger. In presenting these distinctly European tastes, they craft every plate with an authenticity that transports the spirit to dinner tables across the Atlantic. Take a trip to eastern Germany with jägergerschnitzel, a breaded chicken or pork cutlet that, when mixed with brown mushroom sauce and a forkful of spätzle, can powerfully warm the soul. Don’t leave without trying the delightful apricot crepe that bursts with the joy of a celebration at home with loved ones.
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Quenas Restaurant
109 Halstead Ave, Harrison; 914.630.4646
Siblings Edwin and Shirley Llave opened Quenas in 2011 with the aim of showcasing the diversity of Peruvian cuisine. Parihuela is a prominent, hearty dish that incorporates key ingredients from the country’s coastal regions. The soup’s rich seafood is brightened with Peruvian herbs. Yet no matter what a wandering voyager might order, they are sure to discover a recognizable flavor within the numerous cultures that have influences on this menu.
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Related: The Best Winter Farmers’ Markets to Visit in Westchester
