The warm — and in some cases hot and humid — weather may not be what we expect from the season, yet restaurants have transitioned to autumn-inspired menus. With all the dining options in White Plains, and with no exterior signage, one may forget about the Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Westchester, but their fall food offerings are worth a try.
Small plates, entrées, and sandwiches (including few worthy vegan items) are on Executive Chef James Dangler’s American bistro menu, many of which utilize seasonal and local ingredients.
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Starters to sample include Kung Pao calamari with toasted peanuts; a Lost in the Valley market salad with quinoa, edamame, cucumbers, apples, carrots, tomatoes, and poppy seed dressing; Murray’s Cheese assortment with amaretto honey, dried fruit and excellent house-made seasonal tomato jam; and Manhattan clam chowder that’s been given a classy makeover.
There are those carnivores that jeer vegan/vegetarian dishes, especially those made to mimic classic meat-centric main course dishes. In some cases they are correct — attempting to extract meat textures and flavors from a veggie can easily result in misfires.
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The zesty-spiced vegan burger made with black beans, kidney beans, and quinoa has a crisp exterior and soft interior, and is hearty without being heavy. Topped with bright green avocado and arugula, and dressed with a kicky fire-roasted red pepper egg-free mayonnaise, it’s a winning burger most anyone would enjoy regardless of where they fall along the meat/no-meat continuum.
Other mains to try are the Goffle Road Farms organic chicken with wild mushroom and asparagus risotto and lemon verbena sage jus; Hudson Valley cage-free Muscovy duck with apple, walnut, pomegranate faro, and five-spice red plum sauce; smoked paprika roasted cauliflower steak with red quinoa, lacinato kale, and pine nut-caper-raisin relish; and horseradish-crusted salmon with parsnip purée and wilted spinach.
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The Ritz has a pastry team known for delicious but also dazzlingly presented sweet endings, so don’t skip dessert. The creamy-cool citrus semifreddo is a laudable selection, with gram cracker crumble and lime rice crispy.
On certain dates (October 12 and 26; November 9 and 30 from 5 to 8 pm), soothing jazz complements meals via the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Live Music in the Lobby Lounge series. Artists rotate for each show and perform a repertoire from the American songbook jazz standards.
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And if you’re feeling like a real splurge beyond your meal, new fall menu items extend beyond the Ritz’s food offerings to their 10,000-sq ft spa. The Fall Equinox Spa Treatment, (90 min, $260) is designed to restore the skin’s balance, and includes a dry skin brushing, warming marine wrap, and a hot stone massage.
Ritz-Carlton, Westchester
3 Renaissance Sq, White Plains
914-946-5550
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