Photo by Dave Zucker
We run down some of our favorite ways to kick start a fabulous weekend in northern Westchester’s food and arts town.
If there’s one thing we love it’s breakfast, and if there’s one thing we don’t love it’s waking up early. So you can see why brunch has such a charm for us.
Peekskill, that once-sleepy city up on our northern border has become a beacon of the arts — both fine and culinary, and it comes as no surprise then that when we plan to spend the weekend perusing the local shops and galleries, our first stop is to fuel-up on decadent late-morning meals and just the right number of craft cocktails. Here are just a few of our go-to favorites.
Birdsall House
970 Main St.
914.930.1880
First alphabetically and in many hearts, Birdsall House is a wonderful place for a hearty dinner, an after work drink, live music — even the local monthly drag show! — but don’t think that just because you take the weekend off they do too. Saturday brunch runs from noon until 3 p.m., where in addition to the regular menu you can score farm-fresh local eggs and bacon, light salads, fluffy buttermilk pancakes or French toast, and even skillet-prepared corned beef hash with caramelized onions, friend eggs, and toast with apple butter for a sweet complement.
There’s also a $23 prix fixe Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with even more eclectic offerings. Bonus points for if you get to pet Birdsall Cat or her kittens.
Fin & Brew
5 John Walsh Blvd.
914.788.4555
One of Westchester’s most popular new dining establishments, Fin & Brew breaks out the brunch menu — with some dynamite cocktails including a killer bloody Mary and a passion-fruit whiskey sour — from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.
Go-tos include standbys like the eggs benedict and the avocado toast, as well as delicious, less-common plates like the beet-cured gravlax and the shrimp-topped Bibb lettuce salad.
Iron Vine
992 Main St.
9149308507
Just feet from Birdsall House you’ll find one of the most coveted brunch locations in upper Westchester. Leaning into the restaurant’s tapas style regular menu — but with some more traditional American fare as well — Iron Vine is an absolute favorite when it comes to bottomless brunch.
Order your first round of aforementioned $24 unlimited mimosas (or personal cocktail of choice; there’s always a few tasty a la carte options as well) and then dive into huevos rancheros; breakfast tacos with pico de gallo, tomatillo salsa verde, and patatas; or their famous and decadent blue crab avocado Benedict. Feel free to call an Uber, or just have a friend roll you home. Available Saturday noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kathleen’s Tea Room
*Since publication, Kathleen’s Tea Room has closed, but hopes to reopen at a new location in town.
979 Main St.; 914.734.2520
We’re tempted to describe tea as a “light” brunch, but that would just factually be wrong. With menu options including salads, sure, but also warm crumpets, turkey clubs, open-faced Reubens, and a brownie banana split sundae, you’ll end up stuffing yourself before your tea and fresh scones even arrive. The best part? Kathleen’s is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays (it’s closed Sundays), which means you can partake in a high tea pretty much any time and day you want without having to worry about whether your brunch menu is going to time out just before you arrive.
Kurzhals Coffee
900 Main St.
914.930.7914
If you just can’t get enough of brunch, this Peekskill Central Market flagship, named for the iconic hardware store that once stood in the same location, serves brunch from 9 a.m. all the way to 3:30 p.m. daily. (Truly, we are living in the best of all possible worlds.)
The fresh salads, smoothie/grain bowls, and avocado toast are all top-sellers, while lamb hummus, Kufta Burger, smoked salmon bagel, vegan bowl, and bacon-egg-and-cheese with sweet plantains and chipotle aioli ensure there’s something delectable for every person in your brunch party.
