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32 coolest new restaurants in Westchester

Jeanne Muchnick
Rockland/Westchester Journal News
  • We didn't forget you, Rockland. Our spring preview is in the works. Email jmuchnick@lohud.com with leads.
  • Tag us on Instagram at @lohud_food

A fusion of flavors including tacos, pizza, sushi, steak, lobster, fried chicken, and — to wash it all down — craft beer, tequila and key lime cocktails, are on the menu this spring with fast casual eateries continuing to make inroads across Westchester.

Steven Cioffi, the co-owner of the IPC, Irvington Pizza Company on Main Street in Irvington, holds the Super Colossal slice and the Bronx House slice, April 26, 2018.

After a long, cold, drawn-out winter, the opening of new restaurants makes dining out that much sweeter.

Here's what recently opened or about to open. Don't see your neighborhood spot on the list? Email jmuchnick@lohud.com or tag us on Instagram at @lohud_food.

And don't worry, Rockland restaurant fans, there's lot new in your neighborhood, too!

ROCKLAND: 28 coolest new restaurants

ISO Japanese Restaurant, Yonkers: The sushi and sashimi options are long and varied at ISO, which opened April 9 in the Boyce Thompson Center. The Japanese restaurant, with eating for more than 80, features signature rolls with a local flair — think the "Yonkers" (ahi tuna and avocado inside, topped with spicy crunchy salmon with spicy miso sauce), "Fire Island" (shrimp tempura and avocado inside with soy bean nori topped with spicy tuna and rice caviar) and "Fifth Avenue" (spicy, crab and avocado inside, spicy tuna on top with rice caviar). Go: 1086 N Broadway, 914-963-0777, isoyonkers.com

The Lasagna balls at the IPC, Irvington Pizza Company on Main Street in Irvington, April 26, 2018.

Irvington Pizzeria, Irvington: Restaurateur and Food Network veteran Bruno DiFabio — nicknamed “The Lord of the Pies" — has brought his Italian fare including freshly made pasta, salads, foot-long wedges and, of course, pizza to the river towns. The pizzeria, with large booths perfect for families, opened March 19. Go: 479-5959, irvingtonpizzaco.com

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Sage Cafe/Market/More, New Rochelle: Many folks assume this restaurant and market across from Iona belongs to the college: It does not. Instead it's run by a New Rochelle family. Inside, you'll find a large market with grocery items and take-out sandwiches, salads and baked goods on one side and an expansive, handsome restaurant serving international comfort food with American flair on the other. There's also a full bar, outdoor seating and plenty of parking in their back lot. Expect plenty of vegetarian and vegan options in addition to fish, meat and Mediterranean dishes. Sage opened in January and just released its new spring menu. Go: 700 North Ave., 914-740-5755; sagecmm.com

The Chicken and Waffles at Southern Table Kitchen & Bar in Pleasantville, photographed April 25, 2018.

Southern Table, Pleasantville: When's the last time you had hush puppies? Or fried green tomatoes? Southern Table Kitchen & Bar, which opened March 29, is all about serving up favorite Southern dishes such as Low Country fish stew, buttermilk fried chicken, pulled pork and sautéed collard greens. There are also other interesting dishes such as grit bowls and a grilled stuffed pretzel (with brie, fig jam and micro arugula) as well as a host of inventive cocktails such as Flossy Mays Key Lime & Coconuts (coconut —rum, vanilla syrup, fresh lime juice, Midori, splash of pineapple juice and coconut puree), served in a martini glass with a graham cracker rim. Owner Michael Ferrara, who also owns Wood & Fire in Pleasantville just down the street, describes his new eatery as Southern food but with a refined menu. Dinner only; weekend brunch to start April 29. Go: 39 Marble Ave., 914-618-3355, southern-table.com

Stone Rose Steakhouse & Sushi Lounge, Yorktown Heights: Prime USDA steaks are on the menu at this new addition to the Jefferson Valley Mall including a tomahawk rib-eye and porterhouse for two. Diners will also find colossal shrimp, Alaskan key crab and a large assortment of sushi and sashimi, all set against a backdrop of plush red booths and dark marble tabletops. There's also an outdoor patio. Go: 650 Lee Blvd., 914-962-3338, stoneroseny.com

Sweet Charlie's, Mamaroneck: Thai inspired ice cream rolls meet modern American showmanship at Sweet Charlie's where watching your cold treat being assembled is as much fun as eating it. All ice cream and/or frozen yogurt is made to order on a super cold surface that is below 20 degrees. This is not only the first Sweet Charlie's in Westchester but the first in the entire tri-state area. Go: 362 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-315-6666, sweetcharlies.com

The Pork Chile Verde and Chicken Tinga tacos at Taco Shack on North Main Street in Port Chester, April 10, 2018.

Taco Shack, Port Chester: The owner of Halstead Avenue Taqueria in Harrison has opened his first sit-down restaurant with an emphasis on authentic Mexican food and local produce. Taco Shack, open as of April 11, features enchiladas, salads, tacos, and pressed juices, along with a full bar. Go: 27 N Main St., Port Chester, 914-481-5551, tacoshackpc.com

The dining room at Tauk restaurant in Armonk, photographed April 25, 2018.

Tauk Kitchen + Bar, Armonk: Can't make it to the beach? Owner Frances Leone, a Bedford native, spent many a summer fishing in Montauk and so named his new eatery (his first!) with Montauk in mind (hence, the "Tauk"). The ambiance is coastal and breezy with splashes of driftwood and elegant wainscotting, the menu draws seafood direct from the Hamptons and the bar, which specializes in handcrafted cocktails, has a wet sand look. Issues of "Montauk Life" magazine are displayed next to "The History of Surfing."   The restaurant opens April 27 with dinner service only. Lunch and brunch will follow in the coming weeks. Expect salads and a signature burger in addition to a no-filler lobster roll on the menu. Seth Fitzgerald, previously of X2O in Yonkers and Purdy's Farmer& the Fish in North Salem is the chef. Go: 402 Main St., 914-730-1144, tauckkitchen.com

The Rex Pizza & Lobster, Hartsdale: Fine food meets fine dining in a fast casual experience at The Rex Pizza & Lobster, open as of April 16.  The lobster itself is reason to go: brought in from Maine daily, it's never frozen and comes from the same supplier that supplies Le Bernardin. The eatery, with a location in Mineola, is also known for its housemade meatball sandwich and thin-crust Neapolitan pizza including a a lobster a la vodka pie. They also do a super fresh burrata and have wine and craft beer along with select spirits. Go: 247 N. Central Ave., 914-607-3594, therexburgerandlobster.com

Hummus Horiatiki Salad is a dish served at Tzatziki Greek Grill in Pleasantville March 27, 2018.

Tzatziki Greek Grill, Pleasantville: A taste of the Greek Isles has come to Pleasantville via Tzatziki Greek Grill, with locations in New Rochelle and New Paltz. Expect the classics — gyros, hummus and souvlaki — as well as burgers (the Zeus comes topped with gyro, feta, and tzatziki), sandwiches, and salads, along with entrees like mousaka and grilled octopus. Go: 39 Wheeler Ave., 914-769-6575, tzatzikigreekgrill.com/pleasantville

The spicy chicken beggars purse with blue cheese and avocado cream at Unico Restaurant on North Central Avenue in Hartsdale, April 26, 2018.

Único, Hartsdale: Open since March 28, chef Brian Sernatinger, the owner behind Único, offers a mix of international cuisine — think Mexican, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian. The tightly focused menu — in a space that seats 45 — includes spiced lamb meatballs with chayote, pistachios, and mint, house-cured duck breast, purple-basil pappardelli and skate wing with sweet peas, toasted almonds and lemon brown butter. And everything, Sernatinger said, is made from scratch. At the moment, only dinner is being served but Sernatinger, whose past includes tenures at Gramercy Tavern and Craft in Manhattan, as well as at his own restaurant of the same name in Tulum, Mexico, plans to offer lunch and brunch within the next week; a tasting menu is also in the works. Go: 10 N. Central Ave., 914-607-3363, unicony.com

Also new and noteworthy:

Equus at the Castle, Tarrytown: There's a new chef (CIA alum Christopher Colum) — and a revised seasonal menu at Equus where the culinary philosophy is "think globally but cook locally." The General's Bar is also redoing its menu which will be released soon. Go: 400 Benedict Ave., 914-631- 3646, castlehotelandspa.com

La Parisiene, Larchmont: The French bakery has expanded to the space next door, practically doubling its size. Along with Parisian-style breads and baked goods, the bakery will up its offerings of cakes, imported French snacks and add a variety of savory items. Go: 3616, 2116 Boston Post Road, 914-630-4317, la-parisienne-french-bakery-cafe.business.site

Root and Vine Juice Bar, Bronxville: Open since February, this family-run Bronxville spot offers organic cold pressed juices, fresh juices, smoothies, bowls, granola and baked goods. Go: 4 Cedar St., 914-779-2905

And coming soon: 

Colony Grill, Port Chester: Ever since the Connecticut-based Colony Grill announced plans to open in 2016, local pizza fans have been chomping at the bit. After construction deadlines — work was started on the 5,550-square-foot building a year ago — the eatery is set to open by Memorial Day. Those who have been to Colony Grill's other locations (Stamford, Norwalk, Fairfield and Milford) know the pizzeria for its thin-crust pies served with a signature hot-oil sauce. Go: 35 Abendroth Ave., 203-259-1989, colonygrill.com

Copper House, West Harrison: Joseph D’Angelo, the chef/owner behind Copper Kettle Cafe in Hartsdale is opening a second eatery in the space formerly occupied by Trevi Ristorante by mid-May with business partners Joe Engongoro (previous owner and chef of Trevi) and Alex Avellino. Copper House, triple the space of Copper Kettle Cafe, at 90 seats (as opposed to 34), will feature locally crafted American comfort food with Italian influences. Expect homemade pastas, brick-oven Neopolitan pizzas as well as a few dishes designed especially for two (i.e. roast chicken, ribeye and pasta). There will also be a small market in the front selling housemade sauces, breads, pickle and desserts. Eventually there will also be made-to-order gelato. Go: 11 Taylor Square, 914-949-5820, copperhouseny.com

Grass Roots Kitchen, Tarrytown: Coming in May, a new fast casual eatery from David Starkey, the restauranteur behind Tarrytown's Sweet Grass Grill, Tomatillo in Dobbs Ferry and Red Zebra in Sleepy Hollow. On the menu: whole grain porridge, breakfast burritos, bread pudding French Toast, heirloom bean stew, beef bone broth, various kale salads and a vegan Reuben. In other words, expect healthy fare such as juices, smoothies, fresh baked goods, vegetarian burgers and sandwiches. Go: 124 Wildey St. (in the Walgreen's Shopping Center), 914-909-5588, grassroots.kitchen 

Gigante Restaurant & Bar, Eastchester: Gigante Hospitality, the company behind Mulino's of Westchester and Mulino's of Lake Isle, is opening a new "modern-day supper club" in June. According to principal Louis Gigante, Jr., the menu will include American cuisine with Italian influences. Go: 660 White Plains Road, giganterestaurant.com 

Hurley's Steakhouse, New Rochelle: A 90-seat upscale steakhouse should be open within the next two weeks. Go: 15 Division St., 914-738-6000

Lefteris Gyro, Tarrytown: The loss of Silver Tips Tea Room in March created an opening for Lefteris Gyro. The popular Greek spot will practically double its space with 50 extra seats when it opens, hopefully by summertime. According to owner Chris Grammatas, a lot depends on building permits. He expects to add a full liquor license (he only serves wine and beer now) as well as additional food specials. Go: 1 Broadway, Tarrytown, 914-524-9687, lefterisgyro.com

Lenny's North Steak and Seafood, Armonk: The team behind Lenny's Steakhouse in Larchmont and Il Castello in Mamaroneck have taken over the space formerly occupied by Restaurant North in Armonk. According to owner Lenny Balidemaj, the menu will include premium dry-aged cuts of meat, line-caught seafood and house-made pastas. The restaurant should be open by mid-May and is, in fact, taking reservations for Mother's Day. Go: 386 Main St., 914-273-8686

Maria's, New Rochelle: Giovanni Cucullo and his brother, Peter Cucullo, both longtime restaurateurs—they co-own Pop's Espresso Bar and Peter is the owner/chef behind Fratelli Pizzeria in New Rochelle—plan a May opening for Maria, an Italian "red sauce joint" that will feature a mix of modern and traditional Italian fare. The restaurant is a homage to their is mother, who made everything from scratch, and will feature many of her recipes. The two are also using many of her cooking tools, some of which will be on display. Go: 11 Huguenot St.

Magno's Grill, New Rochelle: For those who remember Tango Grill in White Plains comes a 60-seat Argentinean restaurant set to open sometime in May by the same owner. Go: 108 Centre Ave.

The exterior of Mission Taqueria in Pleasantville photographed April 25, 2018.

Mission Taqueria, Pleasantville: Think of the new Mission Taqueria, set to open in early May as Playa del Carmen meets NYC in the 914. Tony Fortunate and Mitchell Dennis, partners of 105-Ten Bar & Grill in Briarcliff Manor, are all about creating a unique taco and tequila experience with Mexican fusion eats and cocktails. On the menu: Rotisserie chicken, an array of tequila/lime infused ceviches, and a diverse selection of tacos and distinctive salads using produce from local farms and the freshest ingredients. Go: 472 Bedford Road, 914-741-5285, missionpleasantville.com 

Tailgate Dogs & Sausages, New Rochelle: Get ready for lots of different kinds of hot dogs at this sports-themed restaurant near New Rochelle High School. The eatery, set to open May 26, will also feature a variety of sausages and sides as well as three Apple kiosks for digital ordering, a Spotify playlist streaming in the background and a television playing local sports. Go: 766 North Ave., tgdogs.com

Pax Romana, White Plains: Slated to open in early May, the restaurant, with exposed brick, an open kitchen and seating for 75, will focus on homemade pasta, complete with a pasta bar in the front and Roman-style pizza made with a propriatory flour imported from Italy. Diners can expect six to seven different kinds of pizzas as well as approximately ten pastas. There will also be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The restaurant, which will be "fast casual" for lunch (meaning you order first, then sit-down) and full-serve come dinnertime, will also feature a take-out window facing the back parking lot that will serve select items (think pizza and nutella donuts) till 3 a.m. There will also be a private speakeasy-style dining room in the basement with seating up to 25. Go: 171 E. Post Road, paxromanany.com

Shake Shack, Hartsdale: Westchester will get its second Shake Shack (the first opened in Yonkers in 2016) sometime in the fall at the Dalewood Shopping Center. Go: 353-371 N. Central Ave., shakeshack.com

The Scoop Shop, Scarsdale: Jon Deutsch, who had an ice cream shop in this exact location 20 years ago (he's the Last Licks owner), is back, in the same spot and with a similar concept: ice cream, frozen yogurt, bulk candy and tons of toppings. This time around he's combining customized T-shirts and sweatshirts to the mix in addition to gift items (think jars and water bottles). He's also scooping up a la mode ice cream which is egg, sesame and nut-free. The Scoop Shop is set to open within the next two weeks. Go: 1074 Wilmot Road (in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center) 914-472-1400, thescoopshop.com

Walter's Hot Dogs, White Plains: The beloved hot dog mecca, in Mamaroneck since 1919, is getting its first sit-down eatery sometime by early summer — and adding beer and wine. There will be about 24 seats inside will walls filled with generations of memorabilia and memories as well as outdoor sidewalk dining. Go: 186 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-397-9406, waltershotdogs.com

Rafele Rye, Rye: Fresh pasta and other Neapolitan specialties will be on the menu when Chopped champion Raffaele Ronca (of Ristorante Rafele in NYC) opens this Westchester outpost sometime in May. Go: 26 Purchase St.

Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company, White Plains: Longtime home brewer Michael Chiltern, whose day job is in corporate video production, plans to open a New York State-certified farm brewery with a five-barrel capacity brewing system before the end of the summer. Specialties will include a New England-style IPA, Tropical Stout, Hoppy Pilsner and India Pale Lager. There will be 18 taps (16 for Wolf & Warrior beers, one for local cider, and one for nitro-cold brewed coffee) as well as a tasting room featuring bar food with ingredients sourced within 100 miles "as the crow flies" from White Plains. New York State-distilled spirits, as well as select wines from New York and across the globe will also be on the menu. Go: 195 East Post Road, wolfandwarrior.com  

Z Prime Italian Steakhouse, White Plains: Scarsdale investor Zef Perlleshi is behind a new upscale Italian steak house opening in late May. His cousin, Eastchester resident Duge Perlleshi will act as general manager. The space, which has been a series of restaurants (most recently it housed Pax Romana) has been meticulously decorated to evoke a worldly vibe with custom-made fireplaces, marble floors, mosiac tiles shipped from Italy, Swarovski crystal chandeliers, a 24 Karat gold bar and menus from Dubai. Expect top of the line ingredients and a variety of fish, meats and pasta. It will be open for lunch and dinner. Go: 189 E. Post Road, 914-682-0011.

New in Rockland

We didn't forget you, Rockland. Our spring preview is in the works. Email jmuchnick@lohud.com with leads.