Spring has sprung with a host of Westchester food openings. After a long, hard winter, a variety of new cuisines along with popular favorites (think ice cream and coffee) have joined the county’s offerings featuring everything from Kerala-forward Indian cuisine (see link on Mona in New Rochelle) to French crepes, fish and chips, teriyaki bowls and flavors from Northwestern China.
The below is a sample of what’s just opened but stay tuned — there’s more on the horizon including Erawan Royal Thai in Harrison, Drunken Taco Bar in White Plains, Pleasantville Tavern in Pleasantville and Noya Restaurant in Yonkers, among others. Scroll to the end for details.
Mes Amis French Cafe, Ardsley
Mickael Phirmis, who for 10 years ran a crepe food truck in French St. Martin (where he’s from), has brought a taste of the French Caribbean to Westchester with his new cafe, which means “my friends.” (It’s also a play on his daughter’s names of Mia and Mai). The cozy spot, which he opened with his wife, Andrea on April 21, features a mix of sweet and savory crepes made with buckwheat batter (gluten-free also available) with a host of toppings. Fresh squeezed orange juice, specialty coffees, and macarons along with freshly baked baguettes and assorted sandwiches are also offered.
Standouts include the Croque Monsieur, various quiches (in salmon, veggie, and bacon options) and tarts. 469 Ashford Ave, 914-231-5298, mesamiscafe.com.
Golden Mirage, Hartsdale
Fine Asian dining is on the menu at Golden Mirage which opened April 14 in the long vacant Central Seafood spot. The elegant eatery, which specializes in the flavors of Northwestern China (i.e. Peking duck, dim sum, and signature mains like wok fried beef filet, Typhoon prawns, and cumin-spiced lamb) is the sister property to Dong Lai Pavilion on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. 285 N Central Ave., 914-898-0024, goldenmirageny.com.
Piccola Market and Rotisserie, Dobbs Ferry
Sergio Pennacchio, the chef/owner behind Piccola Trattoria in Dobbs Ferry, has a new market two doors down from his restaurant. It opens May 7 and features house made fresh and dry pasta, specialty sauces, rotisserie chicken, empanadas and more. 25 Cedar St., 914-407-0014, io.piccolamarket.com.
One More Sip Café, Scarsdale
Specialty coffees, teas and desserts including house made chocolate pistachio baklava and basbousa, a sweet, syrup-soaked semolina cake popular across the Middle East, are the focus at family-run One More Sip Cafe, which opened May 1. Expect a modern aesthetic and drinks such as a brown sugar shaken espresso, Spanish latte and banana iced coffee. 742 Central Park Ave., 914-752-0411.
Scoop & Brew, Yonkers
Vikki Natlo and Ricky Vetrano, both lifelong Yonkers residents (Vetrano is the owner of La Bella Pizzeria on Tuckahoe Road in Yonkers), opened their ice cream spot — their first venture together — on April 12. Together, they transformed what had previously been an ice cream spot into something more their own. Customers can expect 20 ice cream flavors, eight gelatos and eight Italian ices (def try the pistachio gelato). In addition, there are plenty of sundaes, banana splits, ice cream nachos and affogato along with shakes, smoothies, coffee, cold brew and frappes. You can also choose from their signature latte menu or opt for one of their 12 syrup flavors to create your own drink.
Along with the couple’s love for caffeine and ice cream, they share a passion for animals, making them a dog friendly store. Puppy cuppys are offered at no charge (meaning you don’t have to buy from them in order to request one). A window in front has a sign reading “knock for a puppy cuppy.” Community is a big part of their mission with the hopes of doing back to school drives, food and toy collections and donations for holidays etc. 837A Midland Ave., 914-410-3095.
Frannie’s Goodie Shop, Somers
Open since May 2, this is the third location for the family-owned sweets shop which features 18 flavors of frozen yogurt, 24 flavors of Longford’s ice cream, crepes, assorted candies, toppings and more. 249 US-202, 914-617-9147, franniesgoodieshopmk.com.
Unk’s Fish & Chips, Yonkers
Fans of fish and chips will be happy with this takeout addition, open since April 7, where fried shrimp, chicken and fish are on the menu along with fries, spiked lemonade and a virgin piña colada. 31 John St., 914-623-7040, unksfish.com.
Teriyaki Madness, New Rochelle
New Rochelle just got a little saucier with the April 24 opening of Teriyaki Madness (TMAD), the first Westchester location for the Denver-based franchise. The new spot, owned and operated by Jumping Rock Management LLC, the group behind another location in Rockaway, NJ, offers a customizable, protein-packed menu featuring marinated chicken, steak, salmon, tofu, and fresh veggies over rice or Yakisoba noodles, complemented by signature sauces and sides like eggrolls and edamame.
With more than 200 eateries across 40 states, the brand is rapidly expanding nationwide and already has plans to expand to Yonkers later this summer. 20 LeCount Place, 914-455-8100, teriyakimadness.com.
Bella’s Bakeshop, Mount Kisco
David Chiappinelli, who closed Bella’s to focus on wholesale, reopened the last week of March as a full retail café. There’s now expanded seating including a brand-new outdoor patio as well as added menu items such as specialty sandwiches, drinks and pizzas (offered on Fridays and Saturdays; beer and wine to come).
Chiappinelli, who’s been praised many times over by Martha Stewart, features sourdough at the heart of all he does. That means nearly everything — think breads, pastries, and bagels — are rooted in that process. 69 S. Moger Ave., 914-864-0311, bellasbakeshop.com.
Pollo El Granjero, Bedford Hills
Guatemalan chicken, shucos (Guatemalan-style street hot dogs), elote loco (grilled corn on the cob served on a stick), burgers, and more make up the menu at this fast casual Latin American spot, which opened April 6. 740 N Bedford Road, 914-218-3137.
Wing Stop, New Rochelle and Greenburgh
Two Wing Stops recently opened, one in the former Nesto’s space on the White Plains/Greenburgh border (on March 25) and another in New Rochelle (on March 28). Both feature classic or boneless wings, as well as tenders, with more than 11 flavors cooked-to-order (think everything from lemon pepper to original hot). There’s also hand-cut, seasoned fries and other signature sides like Cajun Fried Corn, Buffalo Ranch or Louisiana VooDoo. 24 Tarrytown Road, Greenburgh, 914-371-8288, or 500 Main St., New Rochelle, 914-566-4774, wingstop.com.
Opening soon in Westchester
The following restaurants are set to open within the next few weeks, some as early as mid-May with others on target for the end of the month or early June. Stay tuned to lohud for more information.
Got food news?
Email JRMuchnick@gannett.com with details of openings or closings near you. And, if you want more intel on Lower Hudson Valley dining and entertainment, sign up for my free weekly newsletter, which often includes behind-the-scenes info I don’t always share in my stories at 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: Westchester’s spring restaurant openings bloom with global flavor
Reporting by Jeanne Muchnick, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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