Best of Westchester (Our Neighbor’s Picks)

Our Neighbors’ Picks

 

Authors, actors, anchors, and others weigh in on their favorites in the county.

 

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“For anything food-wise, it’s June & Ho in Rye. Their prepared dishes are the best around, their cheese counter in a class by itself, their flowers sublime, and the salmon tartare is absolutely the best party appetizer going!”

—Author  Andrew Gross, Purchase

 

“I love the New Castle Historical Society’s Annual Antiques Show, usually held the first weekend of November. I’ve bought furniture, artwork, gifts, orchids, vintage clothing, and artifacts there almost every year. It’s shopping and a history lesson rolled up in one. And it’s always held at my former elementary school, Westorchard, on Granite Road in Chappaqua.”

—Actress Vanessa Williams, Chappaqua

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“Manor Park in Larchmont has everything. My family and I especially like it in the summer when all the boats are in the water. But each season brings out the charm and natural beauty of Manor Park. See you there!”

—Fox 5 News anchor

Ernie Anastos

 

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“I love having the Caramoor Music Festival almost in our backyard. It is very special to have its programs in such a beautiful and restful setting.”

—Designer Josie Natori,

 Pound Ridge 

 

“My favorite spot, besides my own backyard, is the Jacob Burns Film Center. I love the  Rube Goldberg-like artwork, the intimate theaters, and, oh yes, the movies are great, too. I took my daughter and her friends to see Weeping Camel, Otar, Goodbye Lenin and

Super Size Me. I took my son and his buddies to see Roshomon and Bowling for Columbine. My husband and I go on dates there (Amélie, Greendale, Talk to Her). One Christmas I took the whole clan of Evanses to see a dreary Welsh movie (in Welsh) about a totally dysfunctional family: we loved it! Thank you Jacob Burns for making Westchester so very hip!”

—Carol Evans, CEO and President of Working Mother magazine and author of This Is How We Do It: The Working Mother’s Manifesto, Chappaqua

 

“Westchester County Airport is a favorite spot. Sometimes I just like to go there and watch the planes take off and land. ­  

—FOX 5 News weather anchor Nick Gregory,

New Rochelle 

 

“I just adore the Hudson River. I grew up on the Hudson, in Newburgh, and the reason that we’re in Westchester is because of it. I don’t think there is anything like it anywhere else in the world.”

—Author James Patterson, Briarcliff Manor

 

“We went one Sunday to Sue’s in Peekskill for brunch and it has basically become a weekend habit. In the fall, I cannot live without the pumpkin pancakes, the cup of joe is always perfect, and Bobby, the owner, is a real nice guy. Just good people serving good food, and we love the fact that all the old-timers at the counter treat the joint like their very own kitchen.”

— FOX 5 News entertainment reporter Toni Senecal, Croton-on-Hudson

 

“I love Bellizzi restaurant in Mount Kisco. I go with my girlfriends and we bring our kids. They are guaranteed to leave us alone because, while we hang out and share a bottle of wine, they’re busy playing the video games. Plus, the food is outstanding!”

—Author and former news anchor Rene Syler, Chappaqua

 

“Bedford Gourmet in Bedford Village is my favorite catering and take-out food destination. The soup’s divine: curried zucchini, carrot ginger, mulligatawny. Best of all is the array of cheeses placed on the counter for nibbling. It’s been well documented there are no calories in free samples. For special occasions, order the pumpkin cheesecake, which does have calories—but it’s worth the splurge.

— My9 News film and theater critic,

Pat Collins, Bedford

 

“My favorite place in Westchester is the Bronx River Parkway because it has a bicycle path. I used to take my mountain bike out on my days off and ride from Bronxville to the dam and back.”

—Professional Wrestler Tommy Dreamer, Yonkers

 

“Two wonderful restaurants are Spaccarelli’s in Millwood and Guida’s in Ossining. Guida’s does fish beautifully and I love the restaurant’s pork-chop dish with onions and peppers. The ambiance there is lovely, too.”

— Actor/comedian Robert Klein, Briarcliff Manor

 

“The Sculpture Garden at Pepsico with its beautiful works of art is a lovely place to stroll or picnic. It’s simply glorious!”

—Opera singer Roberta Peters, Purchase

 

“One of my favorite and most inspirational places in Westchester is the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation.  I have walked a million miles along its beautiful trails and, when I stop and stand very still, sometimes I can even see the wood fairies.”

— Singer/songwriter Sloan Wainwright, Katonah

 

“My favorite shop in Westchester is the LaVigna Brothers Garage in Harrison. It is an old-fashioned, family-owned auto repair shop. Brothers Louis and Joe are great mechanics and wonderful storytellers. It is not uncommon to find their customers hanging out in the office, drinking coffee, and being regaled by Louis and Joe recounting

the crazy antics of their father, who founded the business.”

— FOX 5 News reporter Arnold Diaz,

Port Chester

 

 

Our Best of Westchester Readers' Ballot is open through January 15!

Our Women in Business Awards event is November 21!

Our Best of Business event is October 30!

Our CEOs & Business Leaders Golf Outing is August 5!

Our Best of Westchester Party is July 24!

Our Westchester Home Design Awards event is June 26!

Our Wine & Food Festival returns June 4-9!

Our Wunderkinds event takes place on May 23!

Our Best of Business Ballot is open through May 15!

Our Healthcare Heroes Awards event takes place on May 9!

Our Westchester Home Builders Awards take place on April 4!

Our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Forum is March 14!

Unveiled: A Boutique Bridal Brunch is February 25!

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