Magnificent and impressive is the setting of this restaurant tucked down a quiet lane and set among lovely old trees. The white stone mansion, built in the 1890s, is fronted by four pillars and a dramatic sweep of a driveway. The warm and welcoming interior is reminiscent of a historic and elegant inn with lace curtains, ladder-back chairs and rough hewn pillars.The main dining room overlooks an English garden and an expanse of lawn. The staff of this silver-service restaurant is wonderfully accommodating and courteous. The restaurant is distinguished as the only one in the area to receive the “Grand Award” from Wine Spectator magazine for having one of the best restaurant wine lists.
For starters, a perfect choice is the carpaccio of local beets with warm Montrachet goat cheese accompanied by a mini salad of baby arugula, chicory and slivered beets. Delicate yet substantial is the oxtail ravioli and Hudson Valley foie gras with chanterelle broth, as is the steamed Prince Edward Island mussels with flavorful Andouille sausage and saffron aioli crostini.
Entrées are impeccably prepared. A definite winner is the baked spaghetti squash with wild mushrooms. The accompanying sauce is crème fraîche based, laced with parmigiano-reggiano cheese and chervil, a sublime blend of cream and balanced seasoning. Fish lovers will adore the balsamic-glazed yellowfin tuna seared to order with ratatouille and white beans. Another notable fish entrée is the pan-seared Florida mahi mahi with udon noodle salad and stir-fried vegetables served with a sesame soy vinaigrette. Must-trys are the mustard-crusted loin of free-range
Colorado lamb with spaetzle and broccoli rabe with a shallot and port wine sauce or the tender and moist, braised loin of rabbit with asparagus and black truffle risotto.
Don’t leave without sampling their remarkable desserts. The fresh fruit tart is accompanied by pastry cream with lashings of mango and raspberry coulis. The hot Valrhona chocolate in pastry with crème à l’Anglaise is a must-have treat. And who could resist the terrine of dark, white and milk chocolate with sun-dried cherry sauce? A dessert wine, from their fine selection, is a perfect way to round out the evening of exquisite dining.
CRABTREE’S KITTLE HOUSE
11 Kittle Road, Chappaqua
(914) 666-8044
