On many occasions, you’ll walk into The Cookery (or see it in Instagram stories) and see David Dibari, Chef Sajin Renae, and the crew in the kitchen, experimenting, and making delicious magic as they do. The passion they have for food, good food, and for collective, creative energy emanates each Dibari location (like The Parlor, Eugene’s Diner, Doughnation). But, let’s celebrate The Cookery for a minute, shall we. They’ve just turned 10 and are being celebrated far and wide. And guess what? There’s a lot to celebrate.
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Evolve or dissolve is what they say and this family business has done just that – growing and growing and needing more and more space to accommodate their ever expanding line of bakery items. Constantly evolving, Baked by Susan (BbS) prides itself on making handmade old-fashioned baked goods fresh daily, and thanks to more square feet will now be expanding its savory line of goods. The new wide open space at 379 South Riverside in Croton-on-Hudson will be closer to the train station and therefore offering extended hours to accommodate hungry commuters. Join them for a soft opening this week, and a "party like" grand opening on March 7!
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Westchester’s dining scene has had its share of buzzworthy restaurant openings in the past few years. The Rare Bit was without a doubt one of the more exciting debuts at the tail end of 2018 with its English gastropub theme and with owners Scott Broccoli and David DiBari behind it.
Forget what you knew about The Rare Bit then because it’s a bit different from what you may recall. DiBari is out as a partner as of mid-2019 and they’ve all but scrapped the idea of being strictly British.
According to Broccoli, it simply wasn’t the right concept for Dobbs Ferry and surrounding towns. “Maybe this works in Manhattan or San Francisco [where Broccoli owns multiple restaurants including Ace’s Bar, The Pub at Ghirardelli Square, and Dobbs Ferry Restaurant],” he says. “I personally like British food, but it’s heavy, and you can’t eat it all the time.”
As for his former partner, Broccoli mentioned there are no hard feelings, it was just a difference of opinion about The Rare Bit’s original concept.
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The Westchester dining scene has been simmering in New York City’s backyard. A few acclaimed chefs have made their way up the Hudson River, succumbing to high city rents, among other reasons. And residents here have become savvy to good restaurants, and have steadily come to expect the same quality of food and service closer to home.
The 2020 Michelin Guide has now included eight Westchester County eateries on its Bib Gourmand list, which includes Maria in New Rochelle, a hit restaurant that is just over a year old.
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The Taste of Westchester series at Westchester Community College is back! These classes offer a chance to visit some of the county’s exciting restaurants where chefs will provide a private cooking demo, followed by a tasting of the prepared food. On Monday, February 24 and Wednesday, February 26, Southern Table Kitchen & Bar in Pleasantville is up from 6 pm to 8 pm, offering Southern food such as ribs, deviled eggs, buttermilk fried chicken, and more!
On Tuesday, February 25 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, become a tea expert at Eattary in Tarrytown. This gastropub is now offering lighter food options for breakfast and afternoon tea. In this class, learn how to make classic egg salad sandwiches, a savory grain bowl with oats, spinach and a poached egg, and help owner and former pastry chef Henry Cabral make chocolate truffles.
To round off the month, on Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, join The House and Hound Inn in South Salem for an interesting evening at this historic and spooky location! Enjoy a glass of wine (and maybe the company of a spirit or two) while learning how to make a roasted salmon entree and more.
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WestchesterBites writer, Sibylla Chipaziwa, sits down with Chef Brian Lewis to discuss the inspiration for his Japanese inspired restaurant, OKO, with a new location in Rye, NY (in addition to CT’s Westport spot). Have a listen.
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With an opportunity to “stretch his legs and get a little creative,” Chef Eric Korn is bringing Westchester residents his vision of dining out as an experience with his Elephant Tree pop-ups.
Pop-ups have been growing in popularity, allowing chefs to go beyond brick and mortar, cook in a wide array of setting,s and offer diners something a little different each time. The tagline of The Elephant Tree sums it up: “Who wrote the rule that a pop up can’t be a great restaurant?”
Korn, Executive Chef at Monteverde at Oldstone, a wedding and private party venue overlooking the Hudson River, says pop-ups offer chefs “a low barrier to entry” as they don’t need the initial start-up money necessary to open a restaurant. He had done some pop-ups when he was the owner of Good Life Gourmet Catering in Irvington (he went on to own Wolfert’s Roost) and found “from a diner’s perspective a pop-up is less about going to a restaurant than it is about going to a special event.”
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If you ask Scott Vaccaro what he’s drinking these days, don’t be surprised if beer isn’t in the top three. The owner and head brewer of Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. will tell you that he’s been tasting gin, vodka, and whiskey on a regular basis. The reason for that comes on the heels of the unveiling of Captain Lawrence’s brand-new beer hall that debuted in May 2019. Something visitors may have noticed in the revamped digs was the name “Current Spirits” and papered up windows blocking the view inside what was to be and what is now a distillery and a tasting room.
Current Spirits, ever so quietly, is open for business and is here to fulfill your spirit tasting desires.
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After teasing Mamaroneck residents with what was to come at last year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Duck Donuts finally opened at the 805 Mamaroneck Ave. shopping lot on January 11, its first Westchester location. The North Carolina chain offers made-to-order treats, and you can even craft your own donut with bacon bits, Nutella, coconut shavings, and more. Coffee, sundaes and donut breakfast sandwiches will also be on sale, as well as a variety of rubber ducks and other trinkets. For more information, visit www.duckdonuts.com.
On Monday, January 20 at 6 pm, the Zwilling Cooking Studio in Pleasantville will host a four-course beer paring class with The Tapsmith, of Croton-on-Hudson. At $99.99 per head, participants will cook the meal, which includes beet carpaccio and and prosciutto-wrapped chicken, before tucking in. The Tapsmith will pair two beers with each course, featuring the Alewife Brewing Company out of Long Island City. Click here to register for what looks to be a fun cooking class.
One of the authorities on the Westchester dining scene, Kate Schlientz is launching a monthly series called IntoxiKate’s Cocktail Club. The first stop is The Rare Bit in Dobbs Ferry on Tuesday, January 21 at 7 pm, featuring Legent Bourbon from Kentucky. Think of it like a book club, except you get to learn about what’s new in the spirits industry with good company, tastings and food pairings to nibble on, too. Click here to get your tickets at $40 per person, and to check out future Cocktail Club events.
Are you a fan of Champagne, Chablis and oysters? Zachys Wine & Liquor in Scarsdale may have an event for you. On Friday, January 24 at 6 pm, this private event (which sold out in 24 hours last year) is where you can see what happens to go well with briny, sweet and salty oysters. Zachys is offering attendees a dozen wines to sample. Click here to save your spot; $50 per person.
If you’re up for something more relaxed after the workweek, stop by Beer Noggin in Bronxville to try some Wah Gwaan tacos. The Jamaican term is a greeting, and so is the theme of the tacos: jerk pork and chicken, curry vegetable (which is vegan) and salt fish are the fillings to expect here. The tortillas are homemade and gluten free. And of course, grab some cold beers to wash down the flavorful food. You can check out the Facebook event page here for more information.
During the wedding offseason, renowned Westchester chef Eric Korn is bringing back his pop-up restaurants, The Elephant Tree. The first pop-up is ongoing, with tickets available for Fridays and Saturdays through February 8. At $110 per person, enjoy a five-course meal, wine pairings, and what Korn and his team has to offer, “our playground and definitely an adventure.” Click here to check out the menu and to reserve your tickets, as seating is extremely limited.
On Saturday, January 25, Nora’s Ovenworks in Harrison is hosting two Macaron Madness classes. A kids’ session will be held at 11 am, and another for high school-aged children and adults at 3:30 pm; both classes are 90 minutes long, and $45 per person. Learn how to make this delectable French sandwich cookie, and take home a box. Please note that these classes will work with nuts. Click here to RSVP and for more information.
Here are two more farmers markets to check out: The indoor Pleasantville Farmers Market is on Saturdays, through March 28, from 8:30 am 1 pm at 40 Romer Ave. There will be over 30 vendors offering local farms and prepared goods; this is the largest of its kind in Westchester!
Peekskill also has its own indoor farmers market on Saturdays through April 25, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Peekskill Youth Bureau, 828 Main St. Produce and other goods come from within a 250-mile radius of the community, and there is an option to join a community-supported agriculture (or CSA) initiative with a local organic farm.
Coming up is a 12-course tasting menu at Ossining’s Brothers Fish & Chips. This will be a four-hour long event starting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 28. Focusing on winter’s bounty, the menu will of course boast the freshest seafood from the market with seasonal produce. Click here for more information and to reserve your spot at $150 per person.
And mark your calendars for this one! Popular food truck Cousins Maine Lobster will be back in the county on Saturday, February 1 at Broken Bow Brewery in Tuckahoe from 1 pm to 7 pm. Sure, it’ll still be winter, but doesn’t a buttery, sweet and tender lobster roll with one of Broken Bow’s refreshing brews on tap sound great in any season? The family-owned brewery has ample seating space for you to hang out, including board games, and encourages patrons to bring their own food. Expect more collabs with food trucks throughout the year. See the Facebook event page for more information.
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OKO, featuring Japanese inspired cuisine and Nigiri sushi from celebrated chef and Westchester native Chef Brian Lewis, has opened in Rye, New York at 29 Purchase Street (the corner of Locust Avenue.
If you’ve got your finger on the pulse of the Westchester County food scene, there’s a good chance you’re jonesing to eat at OKO. OKO is brought to you by Chef Brian Lewis—fresh off a James Beard semifinalist nomination—a name CT residents are familiar with from his critically acclaimed Westport CT restaurant, The Cottage. At OKO, Lewis is changing things up, as he plans to showcase his passion for Japanese ingredients and cooking techniques.
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The annual Chili Cook-off returns to Cromwell of Saturday December 7 from 5-8pm. There are CASH prizes for the best batches of chili plus the holiday block party and tree lighting. https://heatherpolke.wufoo.com/forms/q4twnn81ik2fhg
Business Owners of Black Rock is hosting its first annual Holiday Shop & Stroll on Sunday December 8, right before the annual Black Rock Community Council tree lighting. Support local Black Rock businesses while enjoying music, snacks, and drinks.
The Greenwich Holiday Stroll spans a whole weekend and takes place on December 7 & 8. Enjoy fun festivities for the whole family throughout downtown Greenwich, Byram, Cos Cob and Riverside. This year will have over 110 vendors as well as activities like photos with Santa. https://www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com/greenwich-holiday-stroll
Tavern on State presents a Winter Game themed Sunday Supper on December 8. 5 courses with wine pairings costs $85 per person.
Red Bee Honey's Holiday Open House returns on Sunday December 8 from 11am-4pm. Shop Local and Shop Small at Red Bee Honey and pick up your holiday honeys, gift boxes, beeswax candles, soap and many other goodies. Tour a working apiary and meet author and founder, Carla Marina Marchese who will be signing copies of her books. Other local vendors and artists will be there as well with gourmet foods, crafts, and other items. https://www.facebook.com/events/356791105074763/
Half Full’s outdoor Winter Beer Garden is now open! Find it in Mill River Park's Winter Wonderland during the entire month of December with a space double the size of last year! The 203 is also there with a holiday inspired pop-up booth.
On Monday December 9, Buon Appetito Restaurant of Canton invites you to a Steele Wine Dinner. The meal includes 4 courses, dessert, and wine pairings. It costs $75 per person, plux tax and gratuity, and runs from 6:30-8:30pm. https://www.localwineevents.com/events/detail/769928
55 Wine Bar, Harry's Wine and Liquor Market, and VIAS Imports present this year's Annual Holiday Wine Dinner on Tuesday, December 10 at 7pm. Enjoy a carefully curated 6 course prix fixe menu paired with delicious wines. Tickets are $75 + tax and gratuity. Limited seating. Call the restaurant to reserve. https://55winebar.com/
On Wednesday December 11, join the Restaurant at Rowayton Seafood for a Halter Ranch Wine Dinner. The five course meal kicks off at 6:30pm and costs $95 plus tax and tip. https://www.facebook.com/marianne.mcnulty.1/posts/10220055082745182
Hartford Flavor Company and Wild Moon Liqueurs are teaming up for a Holiday Mixology Class on Wednesday December 11 from 6-7:30pm. Learn how to make, shake and mix up craft cocktails for the holiday season and beyond. Pizza will be served! Tickets are $40 per person. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-mixology-class-tickets-80300385615
It’s “all about the braise” on Thursday December 12. Ari Long is coming to Wakeman Town Farm to show us how to prepare leg of lamb and seasonal side dishes in time for the holidays. Don’t forget to BYOB! The class is limited to 16 so book your seats early. https://www.wakemantownfarm.org/
On Thursday December 12, attend a Toro Loco Pop Up Dinner Tasting hosted by Popovers Bistro in Simsbury. The event will offer a sneak peek of the soon to open Toro Loco restaurant and will include a three-course family style meal with Mexican & Spanish inspired tapas. Tickets are $45 per person. https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4455941
The State Street Toys for Tots Pub Crawl kicks off at 12pm on Saturday December 14 at Cave a Vin! Enjoy drink specials and free snacks as you make your way to Christopher Martins, Oak Haven, Diesel, and JP Dempsey’s. Tickets are $25 and are available at statestreettoys2019.eventbrite.com.
Valencia Luncheria in Norwalk hosts an Ugly Sweater Christmas Brunch on Saturday December 14. how off your ugliest Christmas sweater to brunch at Valencia and receive a complimentary brunch punch or batido/jugo. Happy Holidays!
Sunday December 15 is Kids Day at Palmers Market in Darien. Stop by between 2 and 4pm for special kid activities including a scavenger hunt, cupcake decorating, a ride on Trevor the talking reindeer, and other fun holiday activities.
Jazz Brunches continue at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art on Sunday December 15. Enjoy a buffet brunch in the Untitled Bistro with live jazz by Charmagne Tripp. Tickets include museum admission, jazz, brunch, and one complimentary bloody mary or mimosa. There are two seatings, one at 10:30am & one at 12:30pm. Tickets are $39; $29 members. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jazz-brunch-charmagne-tripp-tickets-79533449689
The Griswold Inn’s Holiday Bill of Fare has returned! The special seasonal menu features game offerings alongside classic Gris signature dishes. The meal will be served by costumed waitstaff while the Royal Court Singers perform. Call 860-767-1776 to reserve.
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If donut heaven exists, it may very well look like MAD Donuts at The Westchester. The décor, outfitted in white (faux) flowers with splashes of color on the wall, photos of such heavenly deities as Anthony Bourdain and Jimi Hendrix, and the neon sign with its message “donuts and chill” – if this isn’t heaven it’s at least an instagrammer’s dream.
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