Spring is in the air and that means restaurant openings. In Westchester, a bunch have opened with both the usual suspects (i.e. pizza and Italian food) and the not-as-usual (shout out to Southern comfort food). More Indian, seafood, burgers, chocolate and Turkish cuisine are also in the pipeline, adding to what’s already a diverse culinary landscape.
Which ones will you go to next? Read below for details.
Nonna’s Pizza, Mamaroneck
Danny Caka and Richard Milici, owners of Nonna Carola Ristorante and Bar have a new take-out pizza shop. Located around the corner from the restaurant on E. Prospect Avenue, it’s been open since mid-February and features a host of pizzas and Italian sandwiches, the latter of which are made with in-house-baked bread. While there’s no gluten-free pizza versions, the pies (no slices here) are made with four different types of flour to make it more digestible. Proving popular so far: the Balkan Pizza with tomato, mozzarella, Balkan soppressata, dry beef, mushrooms and olives. Other options include mortadella (with stracciatella, pistachio, mozz and mortadella), Margherita and Nonna’s pizza, with meatballs, cherry peppers, tomato and mozzarella.
Sandwiches include chicken parm with vodka sauce, bresaola with provolone, bresaola, arugula, red onions, lemon aioli, and Calabrian chili and eggplant Milanese.
For their grand opening March 26 and 27, anyone who orders pizza at the takeout shop (they’re open from 12 to 9 p.m.) will get a free pie (limit one per customer). E. Prospect Avenue, across from Doc Jame’s Cigar Lounge.
The King’s Table Soul Food Restaurant, Yonkers
Fish and fries, shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles and lots more soul food comfort dishes are on the menu at The King’s Table, which softly opened March 5. Diners will also other favorites such as yams, collard greens, and banana pudding. 57 Palisade Ave., 914-200-5265.
K & P Lounge, Peekskill
Open since Feb. 28, this new spot, which had been in Cortlandt Manor for three years, is all about fusing Southern comfort food with Puerto Rican spice. On the menu: shrimp po boy, loaded fries, empanadas, fried chicken, arroz con pollo, pernil, jerk chicken, fried porkchop, soul bowls and more including flan, peach cobbler and sweet potato pie. 911 South St., 914-293-7320, kandplounge.com.
Halstead Sixty Bar & Kitchen, Harrison
Anthony VonHagen and Wilson Morocho, veterans of the food business, opened Feb. 27 where the short-lived Vesta Kitchen had been. The menu is American with an Italian theme, which means dishes like Nonna-style meatballs, penne a la vodka, halibut oreganata and lemon chicken. A key point of difference, according to VonHagen, is that they’re relying on independent purveyors as much as possible and are making dishes with very little salt. The interior looks similar to its previous incarnation with new bar stools and new paint. 60 Halstead Ave., 914-315-6382, halsteadsixty.com.
Froggy’s Sandwiches, Briarcliff Manor
This first Froggy’s franchise — and the sixth location overall — opened March 11 with the same decor and food the deli is known for. It’s owned by Max Germaine and Anthony Cartaino, two former employees, and features the same menu as the other locations (think overstuffed breakfast and lunch sandwiches along with bowls, wraps and drink specials).
Among the standouts: The Goliath, with chicken cutlet, bacon, two fried eggs, American cheese, hash browns and hot sauce; The “Froggy,” with chicken cutlet, bacon, American cheese, mac and cheese bites and chipotle mayo; “Maxed Out,” with roast beef, cheddar cheese, coleslaw and Russian dressing and the Italian combo with salami, pepperoni, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomato, oil and vinegar. Specialty sandwiches are served any time of day and include a variety including bread options such as wraps, sourdough toast, Kaiser rolls, croissants and gluten-free bread. 1123 Pleasantville Road, 914-348-3764, myfroggys.com.
Taichi Bubble Tea, New Rochelle
Handcrafted bubble tea, fruit teas, poke bowls, sushi burritos, ramen, and more are among the offerings at Taichi Bubble Tea which is all about providing customizable experiences. Open since mid-January, the grand opening is March 20 at 1 p.m. 1321 North Ave., 917-283-2777, taichinr.com
GIA’s Mercato Italiano, Mamaroneck
As a first generation Italian, Rye resident Silvio Martone craved the Italian imports he grew up with either receiving from family visiting the U.S. or from what he bought back on his many trips to Italy. So, though he has a background in wedding photography, he’s taken his love for Italian food and curated it into a market, as a way to share his culture (his family is from Naples) to Westchester.
Officially open since March 8 — he had limited hours in January and February — his new shop features items imported directly from Italy. The selection spans fresh pastas, meats, and cheeses, as well as pantry staples, snacks, oils, beverages, in addition to Italian cleaning and personal-care items. 628 Old White Plains Road, 914-960-9736, giasmercatoitaliano.com.
La Riviera, Pleasantville
When the chef of this longtime Italian American restaurant retired after 35 years, his protege chef Ruby Costa stepped in. Along with tech entrepreneur Sarah Poyet, the two have revitalized the space while preserving its recipes and character. The restaurant never closed but did get a refurbishing/deep cleaning along with a slight name change; what had been The Riviera is now La Riviera, as a nod to the present while paying homage to the past. The grand opening is 4 p.m. March 20.
The long term vision, according to Poyet, is for the restaurant to become, in part, a culinary institute for young people, tying it in directly with the activities of the New York Innovation Center, housed in the same building. The Center’s goal, which Poyet has been a part of, is to gather entrepreneurs, producers, engineers, artists, designers, strategists and founders who use technology to solve large-scale problems.113 Tompkins Ave., 914-769-9884, rivierapleasantville.com.
Burger Bar, Pelham
Open since March 14, the focus at this casual spot (formerly B & B’s 5th Avenue Pub) is eight-ounce Angus beef burgers and sandwiches along with curated cocktails. All burgers give a nod to old Hollywood with the Frank Sinatra (charbroiled burger on a brioche bun), James Dean (burger with bacon), John Wayne (12-hour smoked brisket with special seasoning), Sophia Loren (fried fish in homemade batter) and Peter Cooper (veggie burger). Other entrees include skirt steak, St. Louis style ribs and pork chops. 600 Fifth Ave.
Coming soon
Dave’s Hot Chicken, Yonkers
After opening in Greenburgh in November 2024, Dave’s is expanding, this time to Yonkers, with an opening set for March 27. 2500 Central Park Ave., restaurants.daveshotchicken.com/ny.
Meze, Mamaroneck
Authentic Turkish flavors including a host of mezes (aka appetizers) as well as kebabs and Turkish gyro are the focus of this new spot, set to open around April 1. 409 Mt Pleasant Ave.
Fat Stu’s All-American Burger, Mamaroneck
The third outpost of Fat Stu’s — existing ones are in Harrison and Port Chester — should open sometime in April. Look for a larger space but the same retro decor and focus on burgers and fries. 157 Mamaroneck Ave., fatstus.com
Mona, New Rochelle
Fine dining modern Indian cuisine, along with an outdoor space featuring Indian street food, is on target to open in mid to late April. This is the first sit-down restaurant for Shirley’s India, which, since 1997 has solely done takeout and catering. 15 Leroy Place.
North River Oyster Bar, Sleepy Hollow
Gino and Floria Uli, the husband and wife duo behind Divino Cucina Italiana in Hastings-on-Hudson and Hudson Prime Steakhouse in Irvington, are opening a seafood spot with an industrial modern décor sometime in April. 222 Beekman Ave.
Millie’s Provisions, Larchmont
Fresh and seasonal prepared foods, quality coffee, daily baked goods, gourmet sandwiches, and salads are highlights at this cafe/gourmet shop. Husband and wife owners Zachary and Marteal Mayer plan to open in April. 1916 Palmer Ave., milliesprovisions.com.
Chocolate House, Eastchester, White Plains
Walid Yousif, owner of Chocolate House, which opened in Dec. 2024, has always loved making sweets and making people happy with chocolate. Which is why, after his success in Yonkers, he’s planning two more branches, one in Eastchester and one in White Plains. Eastchester should open sometime in April/May with the second set for sometime in July. 14 Mill Road, Eastchester; 38 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, chocolatehouseus.com.
Klēma, Larchmont
It’s still a bit more of a wait for this much anticipated Greek/Mediterranean restaurant with a fish-forward menu. Chef Michael Psilakis, the visionary behind MP Taverna in Irvington, should open Klēma sometime this spring. 2098 Boston Post Road.
Nomi Sushi, Scarsdale
Doug Nguyen, a longtime veteran of the industry who owns Sabi Sushi in Piermont, is bringing his flair for sushi across the river to Scarsdale. Look for an April or May opening of this omakase restaurant featuring an open kitchen. 30 Garth Road.
The Chocolate Chalet, Briarcliff Manor
The Chocolate Chalet, which closed last October, is coming back, with the goal of opening late May/early June. The sweet shop, with an emphasis on handmade truffles, is going into the former March boutique space. 1207 Pleasantville Road, thechocolatechalet.net.
Got a food lead or idea?
Know of an opening or closing? Or just want to share a great idea? Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com. Should you crave more lifestyle stories and dining news, sign up for my free weekly newsletter, which includes behind-the-scenes info I don’t always share in my stories: profile.lohud.com/newsletters/manage.
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @jeannemuchnick or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New Westchester eateries open in February, March, 10 more coming soon
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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