Micro Brews, To Go

"A new shop in Croton-on-Hudson is now offering a constantly changing lineup of brews in growlers; most of them are not even available in traditional bottles. The Green Growler Grocery has a half-dozen draft lines ready to fill 32- or 64-ounce jugs (about $7 to $9, or $10 to $17 each)... The bottles cost $3.50 and can be brought back for refills — or you can bring your own."

— The New York Times article on the Green Growler Grocery in Croton. Check out the shop's website for a list of current brews. The store also sells all you need to brew your own at home.

The Buzz on Beekeeping

What's the latest trend to hit Northern Westchester? According to an article in The New York Times, the area is abuzz with beekeepers. Beekeeping classes at Peter Pratt’s Inn in Yorktown Heights and at the John Jay Homestead in Katonah are finding a growing number of interested attendees. Classes have also been held at the Teatown Lake Reservation, Muscoot Farm, and other area spots (and are often featured in my Weekend Picks). The Times quotes Margaret von der Meden, who tends four hives at Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights, as saying, “When I started 13 years ago, no one was doing it. Today, people are beekeeping all over the place.” Ms. Von der Meden belongs to Croton Bees, a beekeeping club with over 30 members, and has recently started producing a line of bee-based creams, Beehive Goods. If you'd like the pleasure of local honey without the trouble of beekeeping, Peter Pratt's Inn sells it own honey and several local brands are for sale at both Hilltop Hanover Farm and Table Local Market.

Image: The New York Times

A World of Food

"It isn’t easy to categorize Myong Gourmet — but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing... The unifying factors are freshness, a healthful approach (very little cream or butter is used) and strong attention to detail... Even though much of the food is rich in taste, it won’t leave you feeling weighed down."

—The New York Times review of Myong Gourmet in Mt. Kisco, which recieved a "Worth It" rating.
Image: The New York Times

Farm Fresh

It's time for my annual round-up of local farmers' markets. There are a few changes from last year, so click on the links to find out what is available at each market. In addition to these markets, great sources for local produce are the the farm stand and "U-Pick" fields at Hanover Hilltop Farm and the Meadows Farm Market, both in Yorktown Heights, as well as Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt Manor.

Croton
Where: Municipal Lot on Municipal Place and Riverside
When: Wednesday, 1:30 to 6:30 pm, through November 23
Website: Community Markets: Croton

John Jay Homestead
Where: John Jay Homestead, Katonah
When: Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm,  through October 15
Website: John Jay Homestead

Muscoot Farm
Where: Muscoot Farm
When: Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, through October 30
Website: Muscoot Farm

Ossining
Where: Main and Spring Streets, next to Market Square
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, through December 17
Website: Community Markets: Ossining

Peekskill
Where: Bank Street, between Main and Park
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, June 11 through November
Website: Peekskill Farmers Market 

Pleasantville
Where: Memorial plaza at Manville Road
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 17
Website: Community Markets: Pleasantville

Stone Barns
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
When: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Website: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Tarrytown
Where: Patriot's Park, Route 9
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through November 19
Website: Community Markets: Tarrytown

Coming Soon: New Restaurants

Early word on two new eateries:

Peekskill: Lohud's Small Bites blog reports that Arne Paglia (right), the owner of Division Street Grill in Peekskill, is planning a new restaurant in the space formerly occupied by Hugo’s, directly across the street from the Paramount Center for the Performing Arts. The menu is undecided and the place won't open for "about six months."

Yorktown Heights: The former home of the Heights Bistro is soon to be Don Tammoso's Bistro Italiano. The restaurant's executive chef is listed as Tom Coumo (of Grappolo Locanda in Chappaqua), and the Facebook page promises "a casual restaurant with a tribute to the traditional." There's also a nice website. The restaurant will open on March 21.

Samosas, To Go

With a menu featuring "Bombay Frankie Rolls," Kabab platters, curries, and Biryani, the new Little Kabab Station in Mt Kisco offers a range of Indian delights. The early word on Chowhound is very positive, with comments such as: "The vindaloo was perfectly spiced and the sauce was thick and rich." The small restaurant has seating for about 10. The new blog Best of Kisco deemed the space "cozy, warm and welcoming" and the comments on the restaurant's Facebook page are all glowing. It sounds like a promising addition to the area's options.
Photo: Best of Kisco

In Other Food News...

The Journal News reports that Croton's Black Cow Coffee Company is opening a new coffee house in Pleasantville. The shop will take over the Wheeler Street store previously used by the Dragonfly Cafe... The Journal News also notes that Peeskill favorite Kathleen's Tea Room has a new owner. Local resident Cyndi McKenzie plans on keeping most things the same, but she has added cupcakes and is extending the hours... The New York Times visited Ossining's Pon Di Riva restaurant, which opened in November. Located steps from the train station, the Jamaican spot offers specialties such as jerk chicken, curried goat, and fried red snapper.

"Authentic Thai" in Shrub Oak

"After a couple of recent visits to this unassuming restaurant, where the sauces are excellent, the preparation reliably good and the menu a bit more than standard fare, I had to agree — it does stand apart."

– The New York Times review of Bangkok Spice restaurant, which received a  "Worth It" rating (a 4 out of 5). The reviewer called out the curry puffs (above) as "flaky and deliciously substantial."
Image: The New York Times

Praise for Thyme's Open Kitchen

"The kitchen, at the far end of the intimate 48-seat room, has a low dividing wall, and the two noted chefs — Tom Costello, also the owner, and Neal Ferguson — spend most of their time facing the dining area. They look relaxed... That sense of comfort comes through in the food as well — even though much of what is being created is sophisticated fare."

—The New York Times review of Thyme Restaurant in Yorktown Heights, which received a "Don't Miss" rating (the highest possible). Image: The New York Times

Food News

One of my resolutions was to eat more delicious food (there was something in there about high-fiber dishes, but I dropped it). Fortunately, my searches of the blogsphere have uncovered a few new ways to do that: 

Korean Delights The blog Hungry Travels reports that the new sushi place in Croton, Asagoa, has a number of Korean dishes on the menu. The blogger and his friend tried the bi bim bop (or is it bap?) and the beef bulgogi, and they liked both dishes. The restaurant's owners are reportedly Korean. (Another local spot for bi bim bop is  Neo World Bistro in Mt. Kisco.) Image: Hungry Travels

Haute Wheels Lohud's Small Bites blog reports on what it dubs "Westchester's first gourmet food truck." Parking daily in Yorktown Heights, Sharion's D'lish Dish serves up such fare as black bean cilantro soup, BBQ beef on brioche, chicken parmesan sandwiches, New England clam chowder, and cajun-seasoned waffle fries. The truck is open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Baked Goodies Another new spot in Croton is Baked by Susan, a bakery serving up cookies, brownies, and other treats. The Westchester Eats blog reports that Susan Okeefe's goods have long been available in shops around town, but now they have a home of their own at 163 Grand Street.

Here's wishing for more culinary options in the new year!

A Scoop of Soup

What's an ice cream shop to do all winter? Serve up soup, of course! Since October Croton's Blue Pig has been pleasing customers with delicious home-made soups.  There are two flavors daily, including such favorites as potato leek, mushroom barley, root vegetable, and Thai butternut squash. 

 

Martinis and Tapas

"Karma Lounge is one of the prettiest adult watering holes around... Inside, polished dark and light woods, brick niches and dramatic draped fabrics provide a Zen-like backdrop... But the kitchen’s tapas alone were worth a visit, and those that our table sampled were inspired."
—The New York Times review of Karma Lounge and Martini Bar & Grille in Ossining.

Comfort Food From a Talented Chef

The recently opened Thyme Restaurant in Yorktown Heights touts itself as offering "freshly picked local produce and hand-selected steaks and seafood." According to Lohud's Small Bites blog, the co-chef is "highly praised" Neil Ferguson, formerly of Allen & Delancey and SoHo House in Manhattan and Monteverde at Oldstone Manor in Cortlandt.

Mt. Kisco's Newest Eatery

There's a new "New American" restaurant on Mt. Kisco's Main Street. The Village Social Kitchen opened recently, and so far is generating positive buzz. Lohud's Small Bites blog visited the place (and took lots of pictures) and reports that the chef, Scott Forzaglia, previously worked with Daniel Boulud and Cornelius Gallagher. The menu has a large range of items, with everything from burgers to Ahi Tuna, as well as a variety of wood-fired pizza. The early reports on Chowhound are good, too. We stopped in over the weekend, and while the wait for a table was too long for us (for the kid, that is), we liked the rustic/industrial look of the space. We'll certainly try again soon.
Images: Lohud.com

Cake of the Century

Where did Chelsea Clinton 
get her vegan, gluten-free
wedding cake? At La Tulipe, 
the much-loved Mt. Kisco 
bakery. (No, that isn't the 
cake, but it is one of the bakery's
many featured wedding cakes). 
According to the Journal News,
La Tulipe would neither confirm
nor deny reports that the cake
—which fed 500—cost as much
as $12,000. Fortunately, La Tulipe
makes much more affordable 
goodies, too—including gelato 
and sorbet.

Rave for Ethiopian Restaurant

"Lucky Mount Kisco has snagged the rarest of rare in Westchester County—an Ethiopian restaurant—and it’s a honey. The food at Lalibela is rich and delicious."

— The New York Times review of the new Lalibela restaurant, which received a "Worth It" rating (the second highest).
Image: The New York Times

Good Review for New Brew Pub

"Birdsall, which opened in March, has been getting a lot of attention for its terrific selection of craft beers... But Birdsall is most impressive for the combination of good, locavore food that it provides along with the drinks."

— The New York Times review of Peekskill's Birsdall House, which received a "Worth It" rating.
Image: The New York Times

A Fresh Start at the Blue Pig

The last set of owners at Croton's Blue Pig managed to annoy a lot of folks and sully a reputation for great ice cream. But the new owners seem to be turning things around. The Journal News' Small Bites blog has a glowing piece on the new management and their products, Westchester Magazine named it one of the three best malt shops in the county, and Slow Food Westchester has given the store its "Snail of Approval" award for using local ingredients and sustainable practices. Best of all, they now have ginger ice cream. Can't wait.
Image: The Journal News

To Market, To Market

T

Fat pigs are probably one of the few things you can't find at a local farmers' market. Click on the links to find out what is available at some of the markets near you.

Croton
Where: Municipal Lot on Municipal Place and Riverside
When: Wednesday, 1:30 to 6:30 pm, through November 17
Website: Community Markets: Croton

Mt. Kisco
Where: Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through November 20
Website: Community Markets: Mt. Kisco

Cabbage Hill Farm
Where: St. Marks Church, Mt. Kisco
When: Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Website: Cabbage Hill Farm 

Muscoot Farm
Where: Muscoot Farm
When: Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, through October
Website: Muscoot Farm

Ossining
Where: Main and Spring Streets, next to Market Square
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Ossining

Peekskill
Where: Bank Street, between Main and Park
When: Saturday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, June 12 through November
Website: Peekskill Farmers Market 

Pleasantville
Where: Memorial plaza at Manville Road
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Pleasantville

Stone Barns
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
When: Friday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm; Saturday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Website: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Tarrytown
Where: Patriot's Park, Route 9
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Tarrytown

Where to Find Local Foods

I recently discovered a new website, Chew on this, which covers healthy eating. It's a cool site and it has a great feature called the Local Food Map. Just put in your location and it promises to tell you where to buy "locally sourced goods." What a great idea! But imagine my surprise when I put in my zip code and the map came up with, well, zip. If there's one thing Northern Westchester has loads of it is locally sourced foods. Fortunately, the website has an email link you can use to send in new locales for the Food Map. So, below is the list that I emailed the site. For more ideas and resources, check out some local locovorian blogs, such as Slow Food Westchester and Katonah Green. (And check back soon for my annual round-up of local farmer's markets.)

Birdsall House Restaurant, Peekskill: The restaurant’s menu features meat and produce from local farms, and the bar has a large list of local brews.

Cabbage Hill Farm Foundation, Mt. Kisco: The foundation is open for tours and sells its organically grown fish, meat, and produce at local markets. It also sells aquaponic lettuce, herbs and greens. The farm supplies the Flying Pig restaurant.

Flying Pig, Mt. Kisco: This restaurant features a farm-to-table menu with meat, poultry, and produce from local farms including Cabbage Hill.

Hemlock Hill Farm, Cortlandt Manor (above): One of the last family-owned farms in Westchester, Hemlock Hill’s store sells its own poultry, meat, produce, and dairy products.

Hilltop Hanover Farm, Yorktown Heights: The award-winning, county-run farm sells its own produce and has a number of classes and workshops on growing your own and sustainable living.

Kitchawan Farm, Yorktown: The small family farm grows organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers, which it sells at its own stand.

Meadows Farm Market, Yorktown Heights: An amazing source for local produce, this wonderful market sells produce from the family’s own farm as well as from other nearby farms.

Mt. Kisco Seafood, Mt. Kisco: In addition to seafood, the market sells locally-grown produce and cheese.

Stuart's Farm, Somers: Pick your own apples right from the tree. They've got pumpkins, too.

Rainbeau Ridge Farm, Bedford: The farm’s goat cheese is scrumptious.

Table Local Market, Bedford Hills: The market specializes in local foods.

Wilkens Farm, Yorktown Heights: Pick your own apples, pumpkins, and fir trees.