James Beard-nominee Francois Kwaku-Dongo is the new executive chef at the Roger Sherman Inn (195 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan; 203.966.4541), a landmark 17-room inn dating back to the 1700s. Kwaku-Dongo, previously opening chef for The J House and Eleven-14 Kitchen in Greenwich and former executive chef at Wolfgang Puck’s iconic Spago in West Hollywood, has created a menu inspired by New England cuisine. Expect house-cured smoked salmon and grilled octopus with chorizo vin, olives, and fingerling potatoes, plus more casual selections, such as lump crab cakes with roasted pepper aioli and a RS Lobster Club sandwich layered with walnut bread, arugula, tomato, and bacon. Kwaku-Dongo, who is also culinary director for the single-origin chocolate exporter Omanhene Cocoa Bean Company, offers an enticing chocolate dessert menu (e.g., dark and milk chocolate soufflé, dacquoise chocolate mousse cake). Joining Kwaku-Dongo in the kitchen is Chef Adam Truelove, previously at Eleven-14 Kitchen.
Wood-fired pizzas are the signature offerings at Stone Fire (251 Lexington Ave, Mount Kisco; 914.864.1888), a new Italian eatery with copper bar and reclaimed-wood tables that recently opened in the space that once housed 251 Lex. There are also interesting spins on traditional Italian fare, such as a roasted cauliflower Caesar salad and deconstructed lasagna.
Grab Ly’s Bahn Mi (62 Garth Rd, Scarsdale), an artisan Vietnamese sandwich shop was scheduled to have opened by press time. Offerings include eggrolls, Vietnamese coffee, Thai iced tea, and of course the traditional bánh mi or baguette sandwich, typically filled with one or more meats, fresh cucumber slices, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon, and mayo.
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An all-organic and gluten-free menu of omelets, breakfast bowls, hot bowls, salads, smoothies and fresh juices is served at the new café Eda’s Garden (1871 Commerce St, Yorktown Heights; 914.352.6280).
8 North Broadway (8 N Broadway, Nyack; 845.353.1200) celebrated its five-year anniversary in November. Chef Constantine Kalandranis owns the Rivertown Mediterranean restaurant with a daily-changing menu; he is also proprietor of 273 Kitchen in Harrison and the new PopoJito in Scarsdale. “8 North is a delightful part of Nyack’s amazing restaurant fabric,” says Jen White, Nyack’s mayor. “There is nothing that makes me happier than sitting at their beautiful bar with a martini and something tasty to eat at the end of a long week.
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More than 10 new menu items have been added at Westchester Burger Co. (White Plains, Rye Brook, Mount Kisco, Stamford), including Old Bay easy-peel ​shrimp, Philly-cheesesteak sliders, Sunnyside pork served on a pretzel bun, chimichurri steak, and a tuna poké bowl.
