Restaurant Week: Our food bloggers' must-try spots
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week runs from March 9 through 22, and with more than 210 participating restaurants — a record number this season — how do you choose?
Enter the lohud food bloggers. Contributors to our recipes and restaurants blog, Small Bites, these folks know and love food. They write recipes, teach cooking classes, work behind the kitchen door at local restaurants — and are among the first to try out a new spot.
"I have many favorite restaurants in Westchester, but always make a point to go to at least two new places for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week," says Maria Reina, Seasonal Chef blogger. "This is the perfect opportunity to try a new place with a great deal. It's a win-win in my book."
For this article, the bloggers shied away from recommending some of the most popular restaurants, simply because they're so well known. But truth be told, every food lover has spots like Tarry Lodge in Port Chester, X20 in Yonkers and Restaurant North in Armonk on their list of favorites.
"Like most, I also visit North in Armonk if reservations permit during Hudson Valley Restaurant week." says Donna Monaco Olsen, a Small Bites contributor who also runs A Taste of Westchester, the continuing education program at Westchester Community College.
Restaurant Week is hosted by The Valley Table. Three-course dinners are $29.95 (plus beverage, tax and gratuity), and many restaurants also offer a special lunch deal: three-courses for $20.95. See photos and the full list of restaurants on lohud.com. And don't forget to share your reviews and photos with #HVRW and #lohudfood.
A few restaurants received lots of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week love, especially Forty North in Hastings-on-Hudson, which opened over the summer on the grounds of the Tennis Club of Hastings.
Here are our bloggers' recommendations.
Top picks
These restaurants received more than one nod from our food team.
Forty North, Hastings-on-Hudson
I'm a sucker for next level pub food. Housemade caramel popcorn with hazelnuts, "mac and cheese" so upscale it requires quotations and an entree list including my ultimate: roasted chicken. Christina Halpin, blogger.
Forty North has great eclectic menu that looks really interesting. Maria Reina, Seasonal Chef.
This space is on the water and has been occupied by others in the past. I'm looking forward to seeing what they have to offer to complement their location. Also trying Piccolo Trattoria in Dobbs Ferry along with a few others if the weather warms up. Donna Monaco Olsen, A Taste of Westchester.
Birdsall House, Peekskill
If an innovative menu and an impressive roster of craft beer isn't enough, the rotating calendar of events — like movie nights and live music — makes this spot a must-go. Christina Halpin.
Birdsall came to my attention when I was at the Big Brew Beer Fest in the fall. I'm glad to see them on the list this time! Maria Reina.
Saint George Bistro, Hastings-on-Hudson
For my French fix! Katie Schlientz, Intoxikate.com.
The best-ever onion soup gratinée is calling my name. French comfort food in the heart of Hastings makes me feel tres, tres chic. Christina Halpin.
Sonora Restaurant, Port Chester
I have a total foodie crush on chef Rafael Palomino. While I'm there, I'm hoping to pick up one of his Latin-influenced cookbooks and get it signed. Katie Schlientz.
Very good cocktails. The dining room is spacious, and has a pretty set-up. This one is nice for Restaurant Week because it's kid-friendly and food is always consistently good. Rinku Bhattacharya, Spices and Seasons.
lohud food faves
Here are a few other Hudson Valley Restaurant Week recommendations from our bloggers.
Thyme, Yorktown Heights. The vibe is modern and the staff is enthusiastic, but most impressive about this Yorktown standout is the food. Balancing new, seasonal flavors with American staples, owner Tom Costello's menu is always cohesive and universally appealing. I can hardly wait to see what he comes up with for HVRW. Josephine D'Ippolito, Suburban Sweets
Village Social Kitchen & Bar, Mount Kisco. We all know about the ever-growing number of restaurant openings in Mount Kisco, but among the crowd of trendy eateries, Village Social stands out. Go during HVRW for its lively bar scene (it never disappoints), stay for the inventive food. JD
Gaucho Grill, White Plains. This Argentinean steakhouse, located in White Plains, has much to offer. Visit it during HVRW for its gorgeous space, an energetic bar scene and a myriad of mouthwatering food options (the empanadas are notably scrumptious). JD
105-Ten Bar & Grill, Briarcliff Manor. This place has been on my list, and I figured, what's the point of restaurant week if not to try new restaurants? Katie Schlientz, intoxikate.com.
Harper's Bar & Restaurant, Dobbs Ferry. I'll take any excuse to hit up Harper's local fare. Super stoked that the crispy Hudson Valley duck — my favorite dish — is on the menu! KS
Cedar Street Grill, Dobbs Ferry. Matt and Joe Kay are so much fun to hang out with. Love the energy (and the roasted Brussels sprouts) at Cedar Street. If you need me, I'll be at the bar after dinner enjoying a Haymaker. KS
pinch American Grill, Yonkers. The Empire City Casino has so much more to offer than gambling. I'm really looking forward to the Restaurant Week menu and craft brews to pair it with! KS
Zuppa, Yonkers. I'm heading to Zuppa for pasta! Fingers crossed the trofie twisty pasta in braised lamb ragout with diced pumpkin is on the menu! KS
Tarry Lodge, Port Chester. This is a fantastic place for a date night but the pizzas are perfect for kids. My boys want to try the pizza with the egg on it! Elaine Studdert,House of Bedlam
L'Inizio, Ardsley. I went here for the last two Hudson Valley Restaurant Weeks and totally recommend. The husband and wife duo have the magic. Her desserts are highly recommended and he always puts forth a winning combination. They recently did a cooking class for WCC and their young chefs (daughters) took part in the presentation. Donna Monaco Olsen, contributing blogger
Pangea at the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park. I always go to one of the amazing restaurants run by the students to show support for the program and food education. After all, these are the master chefs that will be in our local restaurants someday soon. DMO
La Provencal Bistro, Mamaroneck. Love their coq au vin. And the service is great even when busy so it's a good selection for Restaurant Week. Rinku Bhattacharya, Spices and Seasons
Clocktower Grill, Brewster. Chef Rich Parente is one of the top chefs to watch in our area, and it's surprising how many don't know about his restaurant. It's a bit hidden, in a shopping center in Brewster, but the bar offers well-selected local beers and ciders, and the HVRW menu presents some difficult decisions. I've got my eye on the cassoulet appetizer with rabbit sausage, wild caught scallops served with sunchoke puree and bacon marmalade and a sweet potato doughnut with bourbon caramel sauce for dessert. Megan McCaffrey, food writer for The Journal News, lohud.com
121 Restaurant, North Salem. A peak at the Restaurant Week menu revealed just the sort of fun, easy, seasonal food that chef Beck Bolender executes exceptionally well. Any salad with lardons and goat cheese is my kind of salad. MM
Mumbai Spices & Dosa Plaza, Yonkers. Indian food! An uncommon and exciting find on the massive restaurant list for this spring. I'm looking forward to going for a weekday lunch and nibbling on the crispy dosas. MM
Pier 701 Restaurant & Bar, Piermont. It doesn't get much more scenic than Pier 701. I've only been when the weather is warm, but I'm dying to go for a leisurely Sunday lunch and take in the view during winter, too. MM
Yonkers Brewing Co., Yonkers. A late addition to the Restaurant Week list. The new downtown brewery has a new chef and short menu that complements the beers I already know I enjoy. There are long picnic-style tables and a big bar, which means I'm sure I can convince a group to join me there one night. MM
If you go
Forty North, 100 River Street, 914-274-8655, forty-north.com.
Birdsall House, 970 Main Street, 914-930-1880, birdsallhouse.net.
Sonora Restaurant, 179 Rectory Street, 914-933-0200, sonorarestaurant.net.
Saint George Bistro, 155 Southside Ave., 914-478-1671, saintgeorgebistro.com.
Thyme Restaurant & Bar, 3605 Crompond Road, 914-788-8700, thymerestaurant.net.
Village Social Kitchen & Bar, 251 East Main Street, 914-864-1255, villagesocialkb.com.
Gaucho Grill Argentinean Steakhouse, 1 North Broadway, 914-437-9966, gauchogrillNewYork.com.
105-Ten Bar & Grill, 127 Woodside Ave., 914-236-3651, 105ten.com.
Harper's Bar & Restaurant, 92 Main Street, 914-693-2306, harpersonmain.com.
Cedar Street Grill, 23 Cedar Street, 914-674-0706, cedarstreetgrillny.com.
pinch American Grill, 810 Yonkers Ave., 914-457-2531, pinchusa.com.
Zuppa, 59 Main Street, 914-376-6500, zupparestaurant.com.
Tarry Lodge, 18 Mill Street, 914-939-3111, tarrylodge.com.
L'Inizio, 698 Saw Mill River Road, 914-693-5400, liniziony.com.
Pangea at The Culinary Institute of America, 1946 Campus Drive (Route 9), Hyde Park, 845-451-1683, www.ciarestaurantgroup.com/pangea.
Le Provencal Bistro, 436 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-777-2324, provencalbistro.com.
Clock Tower Grill, 512 Clocktower Drive, 845-582-0574, clocktowergrill.com.
121 Restaurant, 2 Dingle Ridge Road, 914-669-0121, 121restaurant.com.
Mumbai Spices & Dosa Plaza, 1727 Central Park Ave., 914-268-0274, mumbaispices.us.
Pier 701 Restaurant & Bar, 701 Piermont Avenue, 845-848-2550, pier701ny.com.
Yonkers Brewing Co., 92 Main Street, 914-226-8327, yonkersbrewing.com.