Founded in 1972, Mamaroneck’s Emelin Theatre is now the oldest continually operating theater for the performing arts in Westchester. For more than 40 years, the venue’s mission has been to “promote a cultural life that entertains, educate, and invigorates” the surrounding communities with programming that spans dance, music, comedy, theater, and family interests.
To up the entertainment value of your experience, pair a performance with a meal before or after the show. Mamaroneck’s dining options are diverse, with affordable Middle Eastern cuisine, a date-night-worthy whiskey bar, tons of Italian options, and one of the county’s most iconic slices.
Where to Whiskey
Just a two-minute walk from the Emelin, Bar’Lees’ cozy whiskey bar is the perfect place to settle into a few post-theater drinks. Besides more than 100 types of whiskey and nearly as many types of wine, the bar also serves cheeses, flatbreads and small plates, and often hosts live music.
157 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.630.7512
Classic French Bistro Fare
At the top of Mamaroneck Avenue, Le Provencal serves classic renditions of French favorites. Inspired by the years chef/owner Derrick Dikkers spent working in restaurant kitchens in France, the menu features dishes like country paté, onion-bacon tart with white truffle oil, and steamed mussels. For dessert, it’s vanilla-ice-cream-filled profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce all the way. From Sunday to Thursday, a two-course dinner prix-fixe menu will get you out the door for just under $30.
436 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.777.2324
Westchester’s Iconic Sicilian Slice
Unless you’re new to the county, you know that Sal’s Pizza makes Westchester’s most beloved Sicilian pie. While you should order the airy, cheesy square slice, that’s not the only option: Many Sal’s fanatics are equally crazy about the iceberg-lettuce-topped salad slice and the classic regular.
316 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.381.2022
Explore the Middle East
At Hash-O-Nash, the extensive menu showcases the impressive breadth of Middle Eastern cuisine. Start with a Moroccan platter or a square of Egyptian moussaka, drizzled with pomegranate molasses. From there, maybe a little Jordanian za’atar pie or an Israeli-style salad? There are curries served over Lebanese rice, Greek dishes, Turkish coffee, and even fusion plates like Cajun shrimp kebabs.
441 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.630.7310
Pizza & Brew
Frankie & Fanucci’s staple has always been its wood-fired pizzas — classic Margherita, spicy sausage and caramelized onion, or the spinach-topped Popeye — cooked in an 800° wood-fired oven. Now, we also come for the more than 30 craft beers, served through a self-serve, pay-by-ounce system that makes sampling different styles easy and interactive.
301 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.630.4360
The All-American
Kitchen hours are until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays at SmokeHouse Tailgate Grill. The menu is straight-up American, featuring smoked coffee-rubbed pulled pork, Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, hand-cut fries, wings, ribs, and, of course, burgers (try the frizzled jalapeño). Things are American on the drink side, too, with an impressive bourbon selection and craft beers and ciders.
320 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.341.1655
A Myriad of Italian Options
At the top of Mamaroneck Avenue, Il Castello does Italian with impeccable, special-occasion service. The menu is mostly familiar favorites from the Italian canon like filet-mignon carpaccio and chicken scarpariello, plus fresh pasta and classic desserts like tiramisù and ricotta cheesecake.
576 Mamaroneck Ave; 914.777.2200
It’s all about the pasta at Bronx-style Fiamma Trattoria. We’re talking creamy lobster manicotti, pappardelle with spicy lamb ragù, bucatini carbonara, or fresh fettucini with knobs of crabmeat.
501 Halstead Ave; 914.341.1620
Housed in a 1792 landmark building that was once the home of author James Fenimore Cooper, La Piccola Casa skews toward the Northern end of the boot with dishes like delicate Bolognese and veal chop Milanese.
410 W Boston Post Rd; 914.777.3766
Located at the Metro-North station, Modern on the Rails, from the owners of Modern Restaurant in New Rochelle, serves brick-oven pizza and gargantuan chicken parm, plus modern updates on Italian-American fare like Kobe beef meatballs and chipotle calamari.
1 Station Plz; 914.777.9300
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