The Year in Food 2018

The Year in Food 2018: It was a year of resurgence on the Armonk food scene with three notable openings serving up everything from tomahawk steak to Montauk lobster and Indian BBQ. But we also found some new openings that are worth the trip in a super swank hotel in Danbury and a dive bar on the river in Sleepy Hollow. Plus, we finally made it to celebrity chef Michael Psilakis’ MP Taverna in Irvington!

The Greek Brasserie without the photos of Santorini! Irvington’s MP Taverna: Michael Psilakis may be Westchester’s highest profile chef. Esquire  named him Chef of the Year in 2006 for his work on the haute Greek restaurant Anthos in Manhattan. Two years later he received a Michelin Star and was dubbed Chef of the Year from Bon Appétit. Since then he has appeared on The Food Network’s Iron Chef America and has published two cook books. The New York Times called MP Taverna “Greek food at it’s best.” She lauded the dining room’s brasserie aesthetic that avoids “Mediterranean blue anywhere, no fish on ice, no photos of Santorini or any of the classic symbols of a Greek restaurant.” So what did we like? Everything. Read more.

Lenny’s North Seafood & Steak, Armonk: 2018 was the year that Lenny’s North Seafood & Steak replaced Restaurant North in Armonk. After Chef Eric Gabrynowicz, a three-time James Beard Chef of the Year Semi-finalist split for Charleston, proprietor Stephen Mancini closed up shop. Lenny Balidema, owner and operator of fine-dining stalwarts Il Castello in Mamaroneck and Lenny’s Steakhouse in Larchmont, stepped right in. We wrote: “Where Restaurant North pioneered innovative cutting edge NYC cuisine through chef-inspired preparations, Lenny’s North represents a return to classic fine dining. Read more.

Tauk Kitchen & Bar opens in Armonk Square: This fun New-American filled a much needed void in Armonk with their light beach bistro fare. Designed to capture the spirit of the owner’s summers in Montauk, this debut venture from Francis Leone, a Byram Hills HS grad and son of Dr. Frank and Lucy Leone, delivers just the right amount of driftwood, white trim and Montauk wall art to go with their menu of soup, salads, burgers, and locally caught seafood. Their Crispy Cod, Oyster Mushroom, and Thai Tuna Poke Taukos (a spin on tacos are a steal at just $5-8. And the meaty-beaty, big and bouncy Lobster Roll was simply the best. Read more.

Indi-Q Indian Bistro, Armonk: This new Indian bistro and BBQ took the space of the former Indian eatery, (can anyone remember it’s name?) on Old Rt. 22 that has been vacant for years. And it’s an upgrade. Brighter and lighter with enlarged windows, Indi-Q is at its best when Que-ing lamb, chicken, salmon and shrimp Tandoori, Kabobs and Tikka. Plus chicken, lamb, goat, shrimp and vegetable Curry, Masala, Korma, Vindaloo, Madras and Saag. Read more.

Terra of Danbury at Hotel Zero Degrees: During one of 2018’s many winter storms and power outages we found our way to Hotel Zero Degrees in Danbury, CT. This ultra-swank boutique hotel, with sister facilities in Stamford and Norwalk, that opened in 2017, is one to put on your list for the next storm. It also ranks with The Ritz Carlton in White Plains and Richard Gere’s Bedford Post Inn to keep in mind for a romantic getaway even when the lights are on at home. And it’s worth the trip for a romantic dinner or a couples night out for the contemporary Italian menu and exciting urban ambiance. Read more.

Worth the Trip: Hudson Farmer and the Fish, Sleepy Hollow: The new Hudson Farmer and the Fish is a super-casual river experience from Chef and farmer Mike Kaphan and fishmonger Ed Taylor of Purdy’s Farmer and the Fish. It’s one that you will want to check out – maybe again and again. Situated on the Riverwalk in Sleepy Hollow, overlooking the Hudson and the new Tappan Zee Bridge, Hudson Farmer and the Fish takes a page out of The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins & Dives –in an upscale industrial chic kind of way. And the food is the “real deal”! Read more.

Katonah Woods Kitchen and Bar: This new “American eats & urban drinks” establishment opened last August in the DeCicco’s shopping center and we’re glad we finally caught up with it. It is the first Modern American from John Shotaj, an owner of the esteemed Northern Italian Il Tinello on 56th St. in Manhattan and Chef Joe Fusco, formerly of the highly acclaimed Vetro in Brooklyn. This comfortable space with leather banquets and brick walls is equally good for brunch or dinner. We liked the pumpkin French Toast, the Crispy Long Island Duck wings and the braised short ribs with creamy white polenta and the Montauk Striped Bass. Read more.

Eat Healthy with these Recipes from Northern Westchester Hospital: One of our most popular food articles in 2018 was this New Year’s Resolution piece we published in early January. These heart health recipes are high in protein, rich in anti-oxidants and low on the glycemic index. The menu features a Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken, a Quinoa salad with mixed veggies and Cilantro Peanut Pesto; Roasted Vegetable Lasagna, Nordic Winter Vegetable Soup and a Fudgy Black Bean Brownie, to name a few. Read more. 

Best of 2017

Bistro Invasion in Chappaqua, Katonah & Pleasantville: Three notable openings in our area this fall are packing in “crazy for comfort food” locals with forward leaning bistro offerings – some approaching culinary levels associated with fine dining experiences. Each has it’s own appeal from exciting ambience and breadth of menu to sous vide (yes in a bistro) preparations in the kitchen. All three, Aesop’s Fable in Chappaqua, Pubstreet in Pleasantville and Whitlock in Katonah upgrade the local faire and are worthy “notable noshes nearby” for town-hoppers. Read more.

Bucket List: Red Hat on the Hudson: Finally, this article was our most popular foodie post in 2017. Only the second restaurant to make out Bucket List, Red Hat on the Hudson scores for it’s best in category river-side dining, one of the best warehouse to restaurant renovations in Westchester and updated classic French Bistro fare that is worth the trip to the Irvington water front any season of the year. Read more.

Check out our What To Eat: Restaurant Guide