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Whether she’s your special GF or your BFF, here’s how to celebrate National Girlfriend’s Day (August 1) at some of our favorite spots in Westchester.
By Gabrielle Beechert, Samantha Richter, and Lindsey Smith
Bronxville
The quaint, picture-perfect village of Bronxville is the perfect location for a chic girlfriend’s evening. To set the mood, wear your longest and flowiest summer gown, but match it with comfortable (and still fashionable) sandals because this one-square radius town is walkable. A day in scenic Bronxville ought to start with a few glasses of wine and luxurious nibbles because, after all, you’re walking.
Head down to Ernie’s Wine Bar & Eats for an impeccable selection of drinks and a welcoming atmosphere that will tempt you to stay the whole night. Ask the friendly bartenders or servers for their wine recommendations and make sure to take advantage of the happy hour wine deal from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Order the burrata with black truffle, duck potstickers, and delectable charcuterie board to snack on as a group while you sip.
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Then, as the summer heat begins to fade, browse around The Fine Arts Gallery of Bronxville, located on the same street. The gallery specializes in American and European art from the 14th century to present, and is guaranteed to accentuate the sophisticated feel of the night.
The eclectic variety of local businesses on Pondfield Road and Palmer Avenue will make the hours go by fast. Before you go to dinner, make sure to stop by Candy Rox to purchase a square of fudge or bag of gummies for whoever is waiting for you back at home.
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End the night off just as elegantly as it started with authentic Italian cuisine in the outdoor courtyard of Scalini Osteria (also on Pondfield Road). The appetizers alone are too difficult to choose between. Grilled octopus with cauliflower puree, roasted fresh figs stuffed with gorgonzola and prosciutto, and spicy fried meatballs are just the tip of the iceberg. If you don’t accidentally order all of the appetizers and you have room for entrees, make sure to choose at least one of the pasta dishes and either the unique chamomile-crusted tuna with risotto or the parmesan-crusted chicken breast with lemon gnocchi. If you make it this far into the magnificent feast, you must stay for dessert! You will magically feel hungry again when it’s time to choose between a Sicilian zeppole with creamy ricotta and a Nutella pecan pie with gelato.
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Irvington
In Irvington, everything is about the beautiful views of the Hudson River. Start your evening off at Hudson Prime Steakhouse for an indulgent meal. Ask to sit on the outdoor patio to take in the gorgeous views.
Before ordering a delicious feast, try one of the extravagant cocktails: Coffee and Cigarettes (bourbon, hazelnut liquor, coffee liquor, salt and pepper rim), The Zeta (vodka, crème de cassis, sweet vermouth, and Cointreau), and/or Gin and Rosés (gin, elderflower, lime juice, topped with rosé and soda).
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With such a large appetizer menu, you truly cannot go wrong with any of the options, but we will always recommend the burrata salad (arugula, prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic glaze), sushi taco trio (crispy wonton taco shells, scallops, tuna, salmon, spicy chipotle mayo, and eel sauce), and the lump crab cakes with chipotle aioli. Order a lot of appetizers and split them with all of your girls!
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That said, could you really go to a steakhouse and not order steak? If you are ready to splurge, order the Japanese A-5 Waygu or the filet mignon as your entrée. Or maybe pair a steak with their toasted ricotta gnocchi in a truffle cream sauce for a true royal dinner.
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Now that you have eaten like queens, forget about the expensive tab you built up and walk over to Brrzaar for some sweet and boozy dessert. Pick up a Frosé Froyo (frozen yogurt topped with sparkling rose and edible glitter) or a Salted Caramel Boozy Sundae (sundae topped with Baileys Salted Caramel, sprinkles, caramel sauce, and sea salt dark chocolate). If you are done drinking for the night, try their classic café froyo (creamy vanilla frozen yogurt, cold brew coffee, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup) or a good ol’ frozen yogurt in a cup or cone.
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Once you have your froyo in hand, take a quick walk over to the scenic Hudson Park to watch the beautiful sunset with all of your girlfriends.
Larchmont
Leave your car behind and spend a walking evening with all of your girlfriends in Larchmont. Start off the night at Lincoln Glenn art gallery on Larchmont Avenue. Look out for the summer exhibition featuring pieces from the 19th and 20th century and named “The Inaugural Show.”
After taking a look at all of the beautiful pieces featured at Lincoln Glenn, take a mile walk through the town of Larchmont to your dinner spot, Billy & Pete’s Social.
On this beautiful summer night, make sure to request an outdoor table to sit on the beautifully decorated patio. Since the night is all about celebrating, order some of the original cocktails: the Vanilla Pear Crush (watermelon mint vodka, triple sec, fresh watermelon juice, Jones Lemon Lime soda) or a Myrtle Margarita (espolon blanco, triple sec, jalapeño syrup, and fresh lime juice).
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Ready for some dinner? Order some of the delicious appetizers to share: skillet ricotta dip (creamy ricotta spinach blended with grilled Trapizzino), crispy cauliflower with a garlic aioli, and burrata salad (crispy potatoes, seasonal beans, charred tomatoes, Calabrian chilies, and basil aioli).
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After indulging on your cocktails and drinks, be prepared to be amazed by the large entrée selection. Enjoy a Detroit slice? Order the Bad Honey: caramelized onions, fire roasted peppers, Calabrian chilies, spicy sausage, pepperoni, ghost pepper sauce, and bourbon honey. If you want more of a New York slice, order the Billy’s Burrata (roasted tomato sauce, garlic confit, basil oil, fresh basil, smoked Maldon salt, and aged balsamic).
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After dinner, take a half a mile walk back towards town for a Westchester classic, Longford’s. Try some of the unique flavors like Graham Slam (vanilla ice cream with graham cracker dough and chocolate-covered graham crackers), espresso nugget, or lemon pie.
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Ossining
If you’re heading to Ossining for your Girlfriend’s Day, prepare for travel — both figuratively and literally. Head all the way to Peru (while staying on Main Street) for dinner, and enjoy a post-dinner stroll to one of Ossining’s waterfront parks. And remember: it’s always important to pack the right things when you’re traveling. Make sure you bring a blanket so you and all your friends can sit in the park while enjoying your sweet treat and watching the sunset.
Begin the night with some Peruvian cuisine à la Aji Limo, a restaurant that honors traditional Peruvian food while nodding to Japanese, Spanish, Italian, African, and Chinese influences. In the spirit of friendship, split an order of ceviche or the calamari (served with Peruvian pico de gallo, yuca fries, and tartar sauce) and the causitas ricas (chicken, shrimp, and octopus that has been marinated in a house sauce on top of whipped Peruvian potatoes and aji). Or, opt for one of the chef’s specials, such as the tallarin verde con bisteck: grilled beef hearts placed on a bed of spaghetti with homemade Peruvian pesto sauce.
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After your Girlfriend’s Day dinner concludes, take about a three-quarter mile walk down Ossining’s Main Street, lined with charming vintage buildings, down to the riverfront Henry Gourdine Park. The park is home to Bigfoot Creamery, a gazebo-like stand that offers both year-round and seasonal flavors. Order a classic chocolate cone, or stay in the summer spirit and enjoy a scoop of lavender honey or a cone of matcha green tea ice cream. The creamery is allergy-friendly, providing multiple vegan and gluten-free options for customers. Some flavors change daily, so make sure to check out the creamery’s social media before heading over there for a sweet treat.
After everyone orders their favorite flavor, lay out your blanket and sit watch the sun go down over the Hudson River.
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Peekskill
Take advantage of Peekskill’s riverfront location as both an observer and an adventurer by enjoying classic American cuisine at a riverside restaurant followed by a trip to the Bear Mountain Bridge and back on a river cruise.
Begin your evening with an early dinner at the Peekskill Brewery. Keep the house-made beers on your mind when it’s time to order drinks. Try the Peekskill Skills Pils for a classic American Lager, or request a Peekskill Rhuberry Muffin, a sour ale with intense berry notes, if you’re in the mood for something different.
A shared order of the spinach and artichoke dip cannot be resisted, and neither can the Bavarian pretzel dipped in Valley Life beer mustard. Order a classic Kale Caesar salad if you’re in the mood for a lighter meal, or enjoy a satisfying buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, served with spicy honey, aioli, and a side of fries. And for something sweet on Girlfriend’s Day, indulge in some heavenly zeppole that’s topped with powdered sugar and ready to be dipped in Nutella.
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Evening Star, a former United States Coast Guard Buoy tender turned passenger boat that offers rides Thursday through Sunday on the Hudson River. Although National Girlfriend’s Day falls on a Monday this year, it’s never too early — or too late — to celebrate your girls. Hop aboard the Evening Star for a 7 p.m. sunset cruise and keep the party going with the boat’s cocktail offerings. Take in the beauty of the Hudson while enjoying a rosé lemonade, a refreshing combination of Spirits Lab Vodka, rosé cider, and fresh-pressed lemonade. Sip on a Southside, made from East End Gin, fresh lime, organic agave nectar, and mint oil, while watching the sunset. Or, if your dinner has left you in the mood for beer, enjoy one of the four craft beers (Narragansett Lager, Victory Summer Love, Von Trapp Dunkel, and Sloop IPA) offered on board. Soda and seltzers are also available for those who decided to call it a night after dinner.
Tarrytown
A Girlfriend’s Day in Tarrytown is centered around the thriving hub of Main Street with a stunning conclusion of riverfront views. Main Street promises to satisfy the history buff, shopaholic, and foodie of your friend group, but, to be completely honest, they’re all there for the eats.
Prepare for a fun afternoon on Main Street with a gingerbread or turmeric latte from Muddy Water Coffee House. The Instagram-worthy lattes and cortados pair perfectly with the sweet scones, fresh muffins, and charming nooks of the cafe. Sink into the cozy leather couches to excitedly bring each other up to date on your lives as you nibble on the famed Nutella banana bread.
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After the caffeine hits, explore one of Main Street’s authentic antique shops for a bit of shopping during Girlfriend’s Day. At ShayLuLa Jewelry & Gifts, admire a glamorous collection of kimonos and scarves, take selfies in blocky sunglasses, or buy dainty matching bracelets to memorialize the day. Peek into endearing little boutiques like Flying Fingers Yarn Shop or ONA, an art gallery and gift store. ONA features the ceramics and jewelry of local artisans and is also home to crafts from around the world like colorful animals from Kenya made from repurposed soda cans.
Walking down Main Street will inevitably rebuild your appetite as the spicy flavors of bibimbap escape Bibille and the Cuban aromas of The Cube Inn tickle your nose. When the movie-like bustle of spontaneous music performers and outdoor clothing racks has convinced you to never leave Tarrytown, it’s time to stop by Sweet Grass Grill for dinner.
The grill’s creative seasonal menu is dependent on the daily harvests of local farms. Snack on summery starters like Thai carrot soup or wood-fired celery root “wings” as you marvel at the drink menu. With names like Rhubarb Royale, Purple Rain, and Pomegranate Paloma, it’s a guarantee that nobody is leaving dinner without at least one cocktail. If you’re feeling elegant, order the pappardelle with duck confit and red wine tomato sauce or the pan-seared salmon with parsnip puree for your entrée. Sweet Grass Grill is also a vegan’s dream with specials like the sweet potato quinoa burger, chickpea “cheese” burger, and Lion’s Mane mushroom “steak.”
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Finish off Girlfriend’s Day with a walk on the waterfront while holding a cup of homemade ice cream from Main Street Sweets. It’s impossible to visit Tarrytown without trying one of the unique flavors like Holy Soot (designed for the chocolate lover) or Fairy Dust (a cotton candy-flavored return to childhood).
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Related: A Foodie’s Guide to Dining in White Plains for a Day
